Fridays in Qatar

This picture was taken on 16th March 2007 around 1130am. We were on our way home when I spotted this lonely man waiting patiently for the bus to arrive (which I presumed to be around 12nn). Bravely he succumbed to this intense heat and strong sandstorms just so he could avail of this once a week break from work. Friday is considered to be the weekender in Qatar. Almost everybody is looking forward to window shop in Suoq, to stroll & picnic along Corniche West Bay Area, to take pictures in all round-abouts or in the plazas or places where beautiful flowers abound.

The only pains you will experience are the long queue for a cab or bus that came after 2 hours or not at all. The technique is to befriend a cab driver and the next time you do your shopping, he will be your regular personal driver for a fee “bahala na po kayo mam” (it’s up to you ma’am) is the common response when asked how much from here to there. Their advice? Not to call the taxi company hot line as they will charge you per meter. There are some private owned cars who offered their services; normally they parked on side streets. Preferences would be your choice.