How Many

mghozlan
By mghozlan

How many years, months have u been here at Qatar? and for the old (lol) guys can u tell us how the old Qatar used to be?
Some say it developed totally in tha least 10 years, just like from nothing at all to the doha we see?

By jasminejasmine• 10 May 2008 19:30
jasminejasmine

Only 2years but can remember life before Villagio. I think the Asian Games changed so much here. What a month that was, who remembers all that lovely rain? New years eve 2006/7, it rained so much we couldn't get back to Dukhan. Happy days...

By someonenew• 10 May 2008 19:22
someonenew

Not there now but was there from 1982 till 1997...

I donno how it is now so i cant really comment. But i can tell u it used to be like a small town before.

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

By trendsetter01• 10 May 2008 19:21
Rating: 4/5
trendsetter01

Been here since December-99, therefore 8 years and 5 months..long time..doha definitely has changed in all those years..there used to be not so many skyscrapres on the corniche but now you can actually see quite a lot of buildings coming up..

By indorachel• 10 May 2008 19:18
indorachel

2 weeks here

By kimd• 10 May 2008 19:05
Rating: 3/5
kimd

Oh, and the University Road, there was nothing beyond the first set of traffic lights by Almeera apart from the University, people used to do a u-turn there and drive back to Doha.

Also the road from West Bay up to Landmark was 2 lanes only and full of potholes.

May your dreams take you travelling all through your life.

By kimd• 10 May 2008 18:59
Rating: 5/5
kimd

I arrived in 1992, there were no malls, apart from The Centre and Salam in West Bay. The roads were much quieter then.It was also a time of 6 day working weeks, the only day off was Friday.There was no Qatar Airways, the local airline was GulfAir.

A lot of the 'fresh' milk wasn't fresh at all but powdered milk mixed with water and sold as fresh. The only fast food places were Hardees and KFC on Ras Abu Aboud Street.

One winter, I think 1993/4 it rained so much from October that the schools were closed as the flooding made it difficult to get to school.

Anyone remember Lucy on QBS and Nick Kelly, also what happened to Gina Coleman?

May your dreams take you travelling all through your life.

By anonymous• 10 May 2008 18:19
Rating: 3/5
anonymous

Funny, I was thinking about starting a topic like this, "What do you remember about the "old" Doha?"

I've heard some really interesting stories from folks who have been here since the 70s or 80s (you could buy fresh meat once a week; local women couldn't drive, etc)..and I absolutely cannot imagine coming to live here if there were no such thing as the internet!

I've been here for about 8.583333333333333 years, and a LOT has changed in that time!

Here are a few things I remember from those days:

-- shopping options: The Mall, The Centre, and (when desperate)New World Centre

-- there were 3 decent hotels: Ramada, Marriott, Sheraton

-- only took 15 min to drive from West Bay to ASD. Now it takes 40 (so now my kids take the bus, lol!)

-- Al Waab petrol station seemed like the end of the earth. There was practically nothing beyond the r/a there.

-- "Education City" was still a gleam in the eye of HH Sheikha Moza. All that was there was QA, The Learning Center, and VCUQ

--Al Bandar on the Corniche

--orange and white taxis

-- Palm Tree Island

-- phone numbers were 6 digits

and......

no Starbucks!

What do you other "old timers" remember?

By King Edshel• 10 May 2008 18:10
King Edshel

Rents were so low ...

Food was available and too cheap ...

Streets with no traffic all the time ...

Cars were cheap and you can buy any ...

Savings ... you can save money and live good as well.

Work opportunities were more ...

Salaries we good for the life style .. now salaries are nothing compared with the expenses.

Simply .. it is just getting more complicated ... Sorry but I can't see the good part in progress ...

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. (Gautama Buddha)

By HAPPYDAY• 10 May 2008 18:06
HAPPYDAY

AM

i came here 13 years ago, the where just building the first burer king by al sadd!! Change is 100% some good. some bad! i remember looking every where for brown sugar, till someone told me only place 4 all that was the center, it was the only place to find ANYTHING!!!!

By King Edshel• 10 May 2008 17:56
Rating: 3/5
King Edshel

this coming June ... It is really different than before and I posted before something about how it used to be and now ... bottom line ... change is not always as good as some will think ...

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. (Gautama Buddha)

By lav_leee• 10 May 2008 17:46
lav_leee

i came here last december 7, 2002

By mghozlan• 10 May 2008 17:39
mghozlan

1947, what do u mean?

By archer78• 10 May 2008 17:34
archer78

1947

By harsha• 10 May 2008 17:25
Rating: 5/5
harsha

came here on Jan 19 2007

By mghozlan• 10 May 2008 17:19
mghozlan

i have been here for only 5 months, so i can't comment on much.

Log in or register to post comments

More from Qatar Living

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Qatar’s top beaches for water sports thrills

Let's dive into the best beaches in Qatar, where you can have a blast with water activities, sports and all around fun times.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part Two

This guide brings you the top apps that will simplify the use of government services in Qatar.
Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

Most Useful Apps In Qatar - Part One

this guide presents the top must-have Qatar-based apps to help you navigate, dine, explore, access government services, and more in the country.
Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Winter is coming – Qatar’s seasonal adventures await!

Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

7 Days of Fun: One-Week Activity Plan for Kids

Stuck with a week-long holiday and bored kids? We've got a one week activity plan for fun, learning, and lasting memories.
Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Wallet-friendly Mango Sticky Rice restaurants that are delightful on a budget

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in  high-end elegance

Places to enjoy Mango Sticky Rice in high-end elegance

Delve into a world of culinary luxury as we explore the upmarket hotels and fine dining restaurants serving exquisite Mango Sticky Rice.
Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Where to celebrate World Vegan Day in Qatar

Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.