The Doha, Qatar airport sits just outside of downtown in this Arabian Peninsula capital city. That makes it really convenient for exploration when a flight with Qatar Airways gives you a long layover. That’s precisely what I did with my nearly nine hour layover in July.
Qatar lies on the edge of the Persian Gulf and the desert. Doha is right where the both meet wrapping a crystal blue bay with skyscrapers and government buildings. A walking path skirts the water. I arrived around 7 a.m., hopped in a cab, and was dropped off at the far end of the bay on that path. This side is where skyscrapers of unique design clump together giving Doha a special and iconic skyline.
I walked around the bay as humidity steamed up the air. My taxi driver, a bloke from Ethiopia who moved to Qatar for better opportunities, said this weather was unusual. It created a haze that hung over the city. As the day heated up, the haze dispersed, but the humidity did not. After an hour of taking in the views and marveling at the sea on this promenade, I was drenched in my own sweat and pining for some shade or air conditioning. Unfortunately, the Museum of Islamic Art does not open until 11, so I still had time to kill.
Eventually, after passing the government building where the royal family conducts business with its ministers and advisors, I reached a part of the city with more culture where Qatar’s largest and most famous market operates.
Sook Waqif
Sook Waqif (Waqif Market) is a sprawling complex of winding, mostly covered corridors. The vendors sell practically anything. There is a section with pets, a section with building materials, and one with fabrics and clothing. Jewelry stores, home goods, and restaurants dotted the hallways. Being covered meant it was also much cooler.
I enjoyed an absolutely delicious breakfast of fresh flatbread for only a few cents. While wandering I purchased some lovely fabric and just fell in love with the place.
As I was saying, Sook Waqif has practically everything for sale. There is even a camel market on the edge and stables with stunning Arabian horses. I spoke with my friend in Arizona who breeds Arabians. She told me this is one of the royal stables.
Falcon Sook
Qatar’s falconry tradition is alive and well as proven by the whole market dedicated to the practice. Just next to Sook Waqif is the Falcon Market. Dozens of proprietors sell dozens of beautiful birds of prey. Some shops had just a few. Others had rows on rows.
The birds are used for traditional hunting practices. I asked one of the keepers what they hunt. With a pair of falcons working together, they hunt small desert gazelles. Alone they bring in rabbits and more.
At one shop I was there at feeding time. The birds were ripping into their fresh chicken and guarding it fiercely.
From the sooks, I found my way across the street to the water’s edge once again. This time my destination was the incredible looking building housing the Museum of Islamic Art. More about that fantastic place in the following post.
