Playful Props

We found a new favourite place in Doha - visiting the skate park at the Corniche where our friends just recently showed us where kids (and adults) can have so, so much fun sliding down the concrete bowl. (Yes, we are limited here for free and outdoor play ideas). I delighted in seeing my normally girly girls throwing themselves down this steep concrete incline head first, backwards and linking arms. We have already been three times this week so once we took our ball to introduce a new playful idea and we set up a somewhat successfully game of tunnel ball. I've always found it to be a good idea to introduce a new "prop" to old play ideas to help inspire, stir or extend children in their play. My friend K then discovered the random little kiosk which sells fairy floss and popcorn all day every day also sold irresistible masquerade masks for 10 riyal each (about $2). So we all had to try them on. And we discovered dress ups are fun anywhere, anytime and sparked our imagination and childish delight. K and I ended up with one each for ourselves they were so enticing.

Asian Cup 2011

It's a little strange being so far from home in the Middle East and following the regional teams play against each other in the Asian Cup alongside....Australia. We are playing Australia's neighbours - Iraq, Iran, Saudia Arabia, Uzbekistan....? I can tell that the local and visiting spectators are also a little bemused as to why we are here and where did these 100s of people wearing green and gold come from. Especially since our winning streak. This is only our second time in the Asian Cup and I guess we were included because we don't fit anywhere else - part of our Austrlaian story - it can be a little lonely being a whole continent all to yourself! These teams are certainly supported by passionate crowds with sometimes violent shared histories, and so passionate that at times the crowds have to be completely separated and there are security guards which take up the entire first row around the seating bowl. It was also amusing to see the North Korean spectators trying to look as natural and relaxed as possible in their complete matching attire. "And now look to the left......" Interestingly, the North Korean official representatives from Asian Cup have to be separated in the offices from officials from all other countries.

Happy Australia Day from Doha!

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.

Go Socceroos

The girls and I have been having lots of fun following the Socceroos in the 2011 Asian Cup. We have been to 3 of the 5 stadiums here which are all coloured according to the brightly coloured "desert rat" mascots. So, Doha is suddenly very colourful with flags around the city highlighting the various venues. We started with Australia vs India, then Korea, Bahrain, Iraq and finally Uzbekistan in last night's semi final. We drew one match (Korea) but the girls have become very patriotic as we have won all our other matches. We particularly have enjoyed the dynamic and interesting crowds and the girls have loved feeling special as they interact with many spectators from around the world. I've discovered it's a great activity for kids here in the Middle East because no whinging or whining or screaming can be heard above the sound of the drums which are played every minute of the match. We have felt like celebrities as people have asked to photograph us. We have also been interviewed for several Arabic news networks - you can imagine my insightful and informed answers to the various commentatators' questions about my advice for the team! Thankfully, as the matches have progressed I have tried to have a few sayings up my sleeve that I picked up from A! A few of the stadiums even have their own mosques attached and some spectators and staff leave the match for prayer time. We were also amused by the Australian inspired thobe. Security is tight as you can see from the photos and it is frustrating that out of 10 aisles with several security guards I have to wait for the "ladies and families" aisle to get in. But we are all looking forward to the final against Japan on Saturday.

Sculpture Play

I've probably mentioned it before - Doha's scenery is desert - dull and dreary. But, someone here in the ruling aristocracy has a grand vision for Doha. And it is evident in small places with an investment in public art and sculpture. Although it is one of the richest countries in the world (some lists put it at number one), they have already recognised that they don't want to rely on oil wealth and recognise the need to invest in knowledge. Living here it is clear that they have a long path ahead with many (many) challenges - for offline commentary!
I love these giant, canary yellow words strewn across the city such as "inspire", "think", "create" and "achieve" which cheerfully invite you to play and interact with them. The older girls delighted in finding their favourite letters. I love to provide as many opportunities for the girls to connect with what they observe through play and so later at home, the girls then played around with making their own playdough sculpture words and letters and then experimented with pipecleaners. Then they couldn't resist putting all the materials together and they made their own little people.

All I want for Christmas is a Black Abaya...

Anyone who knows the girls knows how much they have always loved dress ups. We went New Year's Eve to the souqs and after months of pleading let the girls choose a black abaya, which of course they wore for the rest of our outing. As if enough people don't stare at us already! :) The local abaya draped women all seemed to think it was particularly charming though so at least that helped. Of course G had ripped hers off in the shop before purchase but they have all had fun wearing them around the house. E adores her abaya and would wear it everywhere if we let her. It provides a great opportunity for her to experiment with a culture that is in many ways vastly different from our own. She also keeps nagging me to get one. We hoped that living in the Middle East at such a young age would help our girls to foster a deep sense of cultural appreciation - not quite sure we wanted them to take it this far though...