Today’s post is about art in different forms from simple to intricate.

Museum of Islamic Art

I’ve heard of I.M. Pei, a world-renowned architect, who is famous for his ‘pyramid’ at the Louvre and many other signature buildings across the world. So it’s no surprise that when the Emir decided to build the Museum of Islamic Art, he hired the best. There’s a pattern here in Doha that when the government does something, it is done at the highest level and the concept of “lowest bidder” doesn’t exist. The museum itself is a piece of contemporary art that kept me in awe during my visit. I’m going to post some photos on Facebook again so you can see the beauty I saw today. The actual art in the exhibits isn’t something I’ve seen or studied before. Lots of jewelry, decorated tilework, enameled glass, silver-inlaid metalwork, and carpets and textiles. One big surprise of the day was the lack of actual paintings – the mainstay of American art museums. Evidently it was the belief in this culture between the 7th and 18th centuries that bad things might happen to you if you painted pictures of people, animals or objects. I did over hear an American woman discussing markings on a sword with a Qatari woman and asking her if they represented different tribes like the different Indian tribes in Oklahoma?

Feet are Beautiful

At Tao Yuan, a.k.a. the Foot Care Centre, all three of us enjoyed foot massages for an hour. Males and females are placed in separate rooms, just like the prayer rooms throughout the city. Christy and I were soaking our feet and getting our backs massaged when two Qatari women barged in and tried to “bump” us, but Madame Soong was not going to let that happen, so they left in a huff and we finished with our royal treatment. It cost 90 ryals which is much less than I would have paid in Norman for a similar service. Madame Soong does not speak English but she spoke one of my favorite languages – reflexology.

The Pearl Man

Just about every time I wear my pink and while Qatar pearls I get a compliment so I couldn’t wait to meet the Pearl Man and see what other beauties he might have just calling my name? I have to be careful here not to give away surprises I have in store for family and friends. I did try on a large white pearl necklace priced at 100,000 ryals – that’s $36,500 in U.S. dollars. I didn’t buy the necklace but I do have a picture of it. One cool thing about the different souks or markets here is that you can make a deal.

Other highlights of the day

I did visit the Rug Man today too and saw a beautiful collection of rugs. Just wish I could get rid of all my carpet, put down hard floors and have the Rug Man fill my home with his beautiful floor art.

Lunch was a falafel wrap and bottled water on the outdoor patio at Zait & Zatar in the Souk Waqif. Bottled water is bigger here than the States. A movie was being shot near here so it was a great people watching opportunity.

Dinner was at Al-Majless, a restaurant featuring an extensive selection of Arabic specialties. Two of Dennis and Christy’s friends joined us and we all shared lots of yummy stuff including olive salad, hummus, baba ghanoush and moutable all served with hot, fresh flatbread. Entrees included lamb chops, lamb kebab and stuffed mixed (zucchini, cabbage rolls and dolmas). Everything was yummy and I know I’ll appreciate dishes like this the next time I eat them back home.

After dinner entertainment included an open mic night at the Doha Players theater. Dennis and Christy’s ukelele teacher performed two songs tonight and was just darling. No Arabs were there, on ex-pats. Many people had brought their own beer and wine so I asked my brother how this was possible in a Muslim country where alcohol isn’t allowed. The Emir loves America’s support so ex-pats can apply for a liquor license. The amount they are allowed to purchase each month is a percentage based on their income. Dennis said most of his friends say the amount is so great you could never get close to your limit. And there is one liquor store here in a country of 1.6 million people. If you get stopped by police with alcohol on your breath or an open container in your car, you are immediately deported. No tolerance equals no DUI’s.

A few key things I learned/observed today:

• When you don’t finish your meal, you ask for a “take away” instead of a to go box.
• Most of the cars here are luxury brands and no more than a few years old. You get fined if you have a beater or a car with dents and dings. I have no idea what happens to the old cars but there are some sweet BMW’s here.
• Gas is about 90 cents a gallon so there are lots of SUV’s.
• Roundabouts really do work to manage traffic effectively.

Tomorrow’s post will likely include something about camels….