Sunday, December 26, 2010

Sand Dune Bashing!

On one of my last days in Doha, our awesome friend Ali offered to take us dune bashing and show us the inland sea. Dune bashing is when you head into the desert, no roads just sand and you head for the dunes. Hold on tight and try not to get sick!

Real Desert Camels!



I cant help but want to sing "Arabian Nights... like Arabian Days..." from Aladdin


Inland Sea was gorgeous!

Shaun striking a pose

Walk like an egyptian!





We watched the sunset over  horizon and then brewed some Karak Tea at the beach. What a beautiful way to cap off a great adventure. 

Adventures at the Souk

 Spiral Qatar Center

 I loved the amazing wood design in this door I found at the souk. It was for sale. If only I had the luggage space.
 Yosef invited me into his pot store to photograph is beautiful pots and pans






These wheel barrels are how goods get from one place to the next at the Souk



 I love the architecture at the souk and the endless alleyways that are like a maze and mostly end at a shisha shop


The souk is  treasure chest of beautiful handmade art, I loved the lights made out of colored glass. 


My friends at the souk

Saturday, December 25, 2010

DTFF Family Day!!

 The K.O.A.T Theater is one of our outdoor Cinemas. It seats 1800 and was built just for the Festival.

Our glamorous Hospitality Tent

 This is one of our esplanade performers checking out the information booth

 A highlight of the day was watching Jess get to hold a hawk. It was priceless.


  The sunsets around 4:30 in Doha and the festival went till late. At night it was amazing to see the festival come alive in a series of beautifully orchestrated lights. 

 This was my hang out for most the day- the Doha Film Institute's tent. We had 3 different backdrops, a horror scene, desert scene and western scene for one minute movie to be made by families.
It was a huge hit.



One of my favorite moments of the festival occurred as the night started to wrap up and I sat back and took in the atmosphere. It was an enchanting scene with the colorful tents, the illuminating kite show, the feather banners waving in the breeze and the beautiful blend of people who had come and enjoyed the day. It had been a great challenge and my amazing team had pulled it off :)




 This is the Emirs private entrance to the Amphitheater



 Greek Amphitheater


Our biggest concern was that we had planned an amazing event, flying in talent from all over the world and it would go wasted if the community did not attend. To combat this our staff went to local malls, schools and mother's groups and advertised like crazy and boy did it pay off. We were rocking the whole day with an amazing mixture of local Qatari families as well as Expat families. 

Doha Tribeca Film Festival Kicks Off


Lights Camera Action as celebrities came to walk the red carpet










Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Branding & Signs

I never knew how important branding was till I went abroad. Can you guess what each logo is in Arabic?





Safeer? Im not sure if I want to try their food.





No Photography- Oops 

New Experiences in Doha

Trying Baby Camel was an experience-It was like pot roast but with an "interesting"after taste. 


                  
Making New Friends at the Souk

Middle Eastern Pizza was good, reminded me of Bruschetta

Avocado and fruit smoothies are delicious!
              
                   The Architecture of Doha is amazing! Constantly building and changing!

View from the Corniche