About five years ago, I was given the opportunity to visit Doha, Qatar. To this day, it is still one of the most unique and beautiful places I’ve ever been. The people were so kind, the food was beyond delicious, and the sights and smells of the souq waqif are still fresh as ever in my memory.
Doha averages 108ish °F most days. Because of the heat, people are indoors when the sun is up, either shopping, eating, or even ice skating. The city comes alive after the sun sets, and outdoor restaurants fill up quickly. Walking down the main strip situated between all of the shops and restaurants is where you’ll find one of the sweetest, most pleasant smells filling the air: shisha.
I loved wandering the aisles, unsure what most of the bright colored spices were, but wanting to try them all. I was offered delicious dates and tea around every corner, and men would approach me with scarves, bags, and other trinkets, trying their best to get me to buy them.
I adored the Qatari women I met. Some wore niqabs with only their eyes showing, while most wore traditional hijabs which cover their head and hair. The groups of women wearing black abayas walking together at night with only the lights from the market behind them is quite a remarkable sight to see.
I was taking this photo above of the (now former) Emir of Qatar one evening, and a woman wearing a niqab ran up to me saying, “No photos! No photos!” I apologized over and over until I realized she was joking and only poking fun at me. She put her hand on my shoulder and we laughed and laughed. I must have looked like a deer caught in the headlights. What a relief!
Hummus, falafel, dates, rose pudding, mint lemonade… I was in heaven. The food was always good, and being a vegetarian in Doha was so easy. I only ran into issues once, when the owner of an Afghan restaurant noticed I didn’t order any meat. “Why don’t you eat meat? God will put nothing on this Earth that will hurt you!” I didn’t know what to say, and I was convinced he was going to bring out lamb for me to eat instead of the trio of veggie dishes and pita I ordered, but of course he was only joking, and again, I looked like a fool!
Going through these photos for the first time in years brought me right back to Qatar. It’s a place I don’t think I’ll ever return to, but I’m so glad I got the chance to see it when I did. Have you ever been? Thanks for reading!
Jae says
Interesting! I have four friends in Doha right now, two of which are flight attendants of Qatar Airways for six years (or more). If you flew with them, chances are you met one of them. 🙂
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Nice! Yes, I did fly with them. 🙂 The only business class flight I’ve ever been on, and wowza it was nice! The ladies were all so gorgeous & friendly!
Jae says
Ah, it would be so cool if you did fly while they were on-board! 😀
McKenzie Allyshia says
Every time I read one of your posts I feel like I am in the moment with you — the photos that you share give the best glimpses of what it is like to be there! I love the photos of the colorful foods and spices and I found myself wondering on many occasions what it was. I could not imagine being out during the day in heat like that! Sounds like the evening/night life is filled with fun!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Aw, thank you!! That makes me happy. 🙂
suellyn says
You are my magic carpet friend…always taking me on a beautiful adventure!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
<3 <3 <3
Jasmin Charlotte says
This is so interesting! I’d love to visit the middle east – Dubai and Doha are both on my list for sometime in the future, it is just such a different culture! x
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Yeah, I imagine Dubai is pretty similar to Doha. Very rich and flashy. It was one of the most foreign places I’ve ever been, but also very familiar in a lot of ways. Definitely check it out if you get a chance!
Audrey says
Those are amazing photos! What a unique experience! I love how people were so quick to joke with you and poke fun at you- the culture on that side of the world is SO different than ours! Thanks for sharing these pics!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thank you! Totally, such a different world!
Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders says
Wow! The Souq Waqif looks so vibrant and beautiful! I don’t think that I can even begin to imagine all the different smells and sounds and sights that you would get to experience when you were walking through. All of the food sounds so delicious too! That must have been such an extraordinary and amazing experience!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
It totally was! I visited almost every night because it was just the place to be. 🙂
Emily says
Oh my gosh- I am soooo gullible – I would have been fooled the entire time! haha! This was such an interesting and fun read, thanks for sharing 🙂
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Haha yeah it was startling at first! 🙂 Thanks for reading, Emily!
Rachel ¦¦ A Nesting Nomad says
I’ve never been but it looks like a fascinating place, full of comedians by the sounds of it! I’d have totally been taken in every time. I love the cafe culture that you get in teetotal countries, it’s so much more pleasant than the bar/club scene in London etc. And those souks look like treasure troves!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
I agree – this was definitely more my scene. 🙂
Mitzie Mee says
Beautiful photos! I’ve been to Doha a couple of times, but I must admit that I like Dubai better. I enjoyed strolling around Souq Waqif though. Any plans of visiting Dubai someday?
amandaaude@gmail.com says
I’d LOVE to visit Dubai!
Justine says
It looks incredible! I love places that are rick in history like that, what a neat experience.
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks, Justine! I totally agree, it was an awesome place to visit.
Melanie says
Wow! This looks like such an incredible and unique place to visit! I would have never thought to add Qatar to my travel list, but it looks like it really was a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks for reading, Melanie! Definitely, an interesting place to visit. 🙂
Becki Svare says
Wow, what gorgeous photos! I want to smell those spices!! Such an interesting and different culture, really enjoyed seeing & reading this!
amandaaude@gmail.com says
Thanks for reading, Becki! 🙂