We have arrived in Doha!!! At least Qatar's not on the 7 banned nation list!!! Who knows what will be on when we head home!! Maybe China?
So here we both are at O'Hare waiting for our 7 pm Qatar Airways departure! I came from Boston and Betty from St. Paul/Minneapolis. Then we had a 5 hour wait before we could check in. We hung out at the Hilton Inn on the airport grounds. Hunted for a beer but weren't willing to pay the $11 at the Hilton Lounge. Now in Doha, where there's no liquor that we've seen, we wish we had splurged!!
Our flight was 13 hours on a packed plane!! I like the window seat so I can lean better to sleep. But won't do that again! there was a guy from Saudi Arabia, a student who had just graduated in Engineering from, Judy, you'll never guess!! Ferris State (formerly Ferris Institute where Mom and Grandma Mitchell both graduated!!!) He had a great time there and is now headed home to look for a job. He didn't move out of the seat the whole night; so neither did I!!Betty on the aisle was able to get up several times and moved around!! I'll do that on Weds. on the flight to Singapore ( only 7+ hours!).
We arrived right on time around 5 pm Qatar time. Our driver wasn't there so we waited about 15 minutes and he showed up. Very nice service; only 4 km to our hotel in the Old Quarter. This was recommended by Marlo as a good area for walking to see sites like the Islamic Art museum, the Corniche - a 6km. walkway along the water, and the Souq for shopping. Tomorrow we'll just relax and wander on our own. Then maybe Tuesday take a tour.
As we explored the hotel, we came across these huge chairs!!
This Arab lady didn't mind if I took her picture. SOOOOO many head to toe covered women here! It wasn't like this in Dubai. There was much more variety in the women's "costumes." even some with sequin decorations. But not here!!
This was a shop we passed as we walk out for some dinner. I think these are low tables to put the Koran on. There are prayer rugs and a Koran in our room (in Arabic of course! We were going to pray 5 times a day but can't read it!!)
Our dinners was at the Tea Pot Cafeteria - no tea but bits of chicken, salad, sauce mixed on pita-type bread, and LOVELY fruit drinks - I got Guava and Betty had Papaya! It was chilly walking down by the water so we saved that for tomorrow. I told Betty she can plan our wandering day!!
Off to a good start!!
Our flight was 13 hours on a packed plane!! I like the window seat so I can lean better to sleep. But won't do that again! there was a guy from Saudi Arabia, a student who had just graduated in Engineering from, Judy, you'll never guess!! Ferris State (formerly Ferris Institute where Mom and Grandma Mitchell both graduated!!!) He had a great time there and is now headed home to look for a job. He didn't move out of the seat the whole night; so neither did I!!Betty on the aisle was able to get up several times and moved around!! I'll do that on Weds. on the flight to Singapore ( only 7+ hours!).
We arrived right on time around 5 pm Qatar time. Our driver wasn't there so we waited about 15 minutes and he showed up. Very nice service; only 4 km to our hotel in the Old Quarter. This was recommended by Marlo as a good area for walking to see sites like the Islamic Art museum, the Corniche - a 6km. walkway along the water, and the Souq for shopping. Tomorrow we'll just relax and wander on our own. Then maybe Tuesday take a tour.
As we explored the hotel, we came across these huge chairs!!
Our dinners was at the Tea Pot Cafeteria - no tea but bits of chicken, salad, sauce mixed on pita-type bread, and LOVELY fruit drinks - I got Guava and Betty had Papaya! It was chilly walking down by the water so we saved that for tomorrow. I told Betty she can plan our wandering day!!
Off to a good start!!
Great that you are there safely. Too bad about the beer but it is an Arab country. Fruit juice will be fine. How are you doing with the language? You guys have fun but be aware. luv you Judy
ReplyDeleteWe're doing fine! Only word I know is "la." :) But many speak English. Doing fine! Our guide today (from Bangaladesh) spoke well enough. Last night here! Fly to Singapore at 8:40 pm tomorrow!
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