Joanna James
It is a good idea to read about the destination you are travelling to especially when it comes to Middle Eastern countries as you do not want to offend any locals or their rules and regulations.
If you are coming from a cold country, keep in mind that Doha is bound to reach temperatures you could have never imagined. During summer months the temperature can reach up to 40 – 45 Celsius making it extremely difficult to stay outdoors and go sightseeing. It is best to find out details about the weather and the temperature of the time you are planning to travel to Doha so you can be prepared. Having an umbrella, a hand-held fan and sunglasses will reduce the impact of the heat but don’t count on yourself to do much outdoors while in Doha.
Being an Islamic country there are strict rules and regulations in Qatar when it comes to clothing, especially for women. The general rule and expectation of locals and tourists respectively are to not show too much skin. The local women are dressed in abayas which cover them from neck to toe along with a shawl that will cover their head and even the face at times. Men generally wear long sleeve shirts with long pants and even if foreigners are not expected to dress as the Qataris, the former is expected to respect the norm and dress accordingly. Most of the best hotels in Doha such as Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli do not have strict rules
It is important to be mindful when you are travelling to a country that you are not familiar with. The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday in Doha as the country has religious activities being held on Fridays. The first day of the week is Sunday and unlike the general practice, public places, malls and restaurants tend to be quite empty on Sundays. Alcohol is prohibited to be sold or consumed in public places as a religious rule so it is important to keep in mind that you are unable to purchase or consume any liquor in restaurants. You are, however, allowed to consume liquor in hotels and their private restaurants.
Due to the scorching sun, the streets and the town seems a deserted city. You will not come across locals or tourists walking along the streets in groups enjoying the weather and the sun. Everyone will be inside restaurants, shopping malls, hotels or even their homes and offices where the air conditioning will keep you at ease. As soon as the sun goes down you will see a drastic change as everyone will come out of their dens to seek socialisation and fresh air.
Unlike many other countries, a vehicle is key in Doha. Having your own car or hailing a taxi or Uber are considered the only modes of transport in Doha as there is lack of public transport methods. However, taxis are not exorbitantly priced and you can easily find taxis around hotels, malls and other public areas.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
