Thumbs up for Doha

MMazhar
By MMazhar

I have just moved to Doha from Dubai and was really apprehensive about doing groceries here and the availability of various items. Reading odd logs also added to my fear that I will be missing out on a lot of stuff. In the past 4 days, I have checked out City Center Doha and Mega Mart and came to the following conclusion.
By comparison, you do not miss out much unless you are coming from Europe or the UK. If you compare with the other GCC countries, specially UAE, everything is more or less available here. What is lacking are organizational skills (outlets seem a bit confusing and smaller)and glamour. Have not been to other bigger malls so cannot compare with Mall of the Emirates etc.
I love the peace though. City Center Doha was relatively calm as compared to any mall in Dubai. There it appears to be that the whole world is in a rush.
On the flip side, Doha does not appear to be as clean as Dubai or as organized. I mean, there I would not think twice before going for a walk with my child. Here, what I noticed was scarcity of foot paths and ramps. Does not appear to be handicap friendly either.
What completely threw me off guard here is the traffic. I mean, are there any safe drivers around here? Its a nightmare. Lots of people say that you would be glad to get away from Dubai's traffic but I feel that inspite of the traffic jams at least it was organized and everyone knew that they had to wait their turn. Here roads are unmarked, drivers are completely uncivilized and I am really scared of driving around with my 11 month old.
Rest seems all right. I don't think I am missing out on much.

By Muneeb• 10 Nov 2007 15:08
Muneeb

DOha rokz

By amnesia• 10 Nov 2007 15:07
amnesia

great to see such a positive criticism.

Don't worry about the paths and whatnot. Qatar is a huge construction zone at the moment.

:D

__________________________

By Ragnarock Raider• 8 Nov 2007 08:30
Ragnarock Raider

You have just caught glimpses of the organization (or lackthereof) that is Qatar....the best is yet to come as they say! LOL

Still....not a bad place to raise a family (we have a 10 month old ourselves)...just drive VERY carefully.

Welcome to Doha....and good luck to you.

Stay safe all.

Perfection does not exist. The question therefore, is: what level of imperfection are we willing to settle for?

By paul• 8 Nov 2007 06:56
paul

Welcome to Doha, Have the new driving experience.

By knoxcollege• 7 Nov 2007 23:54
knoxcollege

MMazhar you remember while growing up as a kid whenever you did something mischeivious your mom would threaten you to send to a place where the demons and ghosts live.

So my friend you have just landed in that place.

Welcome to the Freddy's Place (Freddy is the demon in Nightmare on Elm's Street). You should try to collect as many weapons and ammunitions

as possible as you might need them to fight off the zombies.

Asides Welcome to Qatar. Hope you enjoy your stay.

By t_coffee_or_me• 7 Nov 2007 23:44
t_coffee_or_me

Welcome to doha ... BTW doha traffic is not so bad it has its own crazy drivers as in any corner of the world so just take care and enjoy

If you can't change your fate, change your attitude.

By novita77• 7 Nov 2007 23:07
novita77

Welcome to Doha ... dont make too high expectation about this place, you won't get disappointed. ENJOY !!! :)

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