Australia Day overseas - interestingly it felt a little more meaningful and less tacky without the rowdy scenes of flag wearing drunks which make it to the nightly news at home every year. We spent the morning at the corniche riding scooters and playing at the park (a new one I just discovered - that brings the total to about 5). I went to visit the "Knowledge Enrichment Centre" a brand new museum about Qatar's past, present and future. Unfortunately, even though it is there to inspire and celebrate innovation and the future....children are not allowed in so I went alone whilst the girls played at the park. Then we went to the souqs (yes life here is interesting but predictable) for juice and our new favourite (and cheap) arabic bread with chocolate - a wonderful Arabian/European fusion. Then, I had a few cherished hours exploring the just opened Modern Museum of Islamic Art with a friend whilst the girls stayed at home. Later, we went and met up with Australian and American friends at the Asian Cup fan zone where we heard there was an Australian Day celebration. Well, it was very small but there was an indigenous band of dancers, didgeridoos and singers flewn in from far North Queensland as part of the cultural tribute to the nations of the Asian Cup, which was great. We all (a very, very small audience) sang along to "We are one, but we are many and from all the lands on earth we come"..... Of course, what festive experience could be without........face paiting, which momentarily I said no they couldn't get because even though it was free I thought that it would be annoying to take it off a few hours later at bedtime. Thankfully, my practical voice isn't very loud and I quickly relented as it really seems magical for children and they were absoultely delighted yet again by a few flowers painted on their faces. Interestingly, I discovered it is also National India day today too so we shared the celebration with the local Indian community here and enjoyed some national dances. To celebrate the multicultural aspect of Australia we finished with dinner at our favourite Turkey Central. No wonder my girls were tired tonight.
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