oh yeah, i have a blog!

I'm surprised at how busy I've been over the past few weeks. I mean, this is Doha - where one is supposed to be dying of boredom! My friends and I have been finding ways of entertaining ourselves, and true enough, I've realized that life here isn't too bad afterall!

Quick recap!

September Highlights:

Charlotte and Oli arrived from Manila en route to the UK. It was bizaare seeing Charlotte in Doha at first, because the last time we had adventures together was in toilets of gay clubs in Manila! Oooh...I miss all that drama! There aren't any interesting toilets here!

The kids stayed with me for 5 days. We tried, absolutely tried to do something during the day, but it was always too hot! Plus I had work. Yes, I'm thinking of more excuses, but yeah we were lazy. Oli loved sleeping.

However, we did get to visit some places - we were not THAT useless:

Qatar National Museum was deserted! No guides! No visitors but us, and an old couple who didn't even make it past the first section. I think they knew what real museums should be like. They disappeared, leaving us three marveling and sweating buckets over unattended artifacts we could've easily walked home with. If only those "antique"jewelry weren't so heavy!

What totally grossed Char and I out was the section on an old native medical "technique"called cupping. Basically the process involves puncturing a hole on the base of the back of the head just above one's nape, using a straw / pipe...blood flows into a cup. OKKKK???? So how is that a cure???

Apparently, it has been said to cure high blood pressure. Well yes, DEATH does cure most known diseases.

Oli was disturbingly fascinated.


The SOUQ trip was fun! We saw more interesting stuff there than we did at the museum! We had dinner at the dodgy but brutally charming Beirut canteen, where I got Char and Oli to try REAL Hommus!

Getting into the clubs was a bitch - with Oli's baby looks! We got denied entry a couple of times, despite us older folk trying to block Oli from the door bouncers' view.

Cloud Nyn (Merweb) - DENIED! (first try) We refused to show ID as it would mean an embrassing shoo off..Char and Oli are only 20 - below minimum age of 21...tsk tsk...We got in the second time through our friend Aziz on their last night in Doha. Had to dress Oli to look like a grown up.

Aussie Legends (Rydges) - DENIED!!! TWICE!!! Tried to get in two consecutive nights. Door Bastard didn't like me. According to him, he has never seen me there before. OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH....guess who threw a bitch fit...still, the fox didn't get in.

Waterhole (Sheraton) - Easy...Dad works in that hotel...Music Sensation will be one of Char and Oli's fondest memories of Doha.

Sheharazad (Ramada) - Sweet talk and Oli's lying got us in. Band who's name we forgot will be Char and Oli's most depressing memory of Doha. 4 girls and a hedious lady boy who kept giving us evils singing on stage was totally wrong! Plus their hair tossing and bang twirling routine was extremely annoying. I think they drove an Asian woman crazy - the poor thing provided another interesting attraction by freak dancing and rolling over on the dancefloor...bouncers eventually escorted her out of everyone's view...She reminded me of a rabied dog.

Paloma (Intercon) - We just walked in!!! Thanks to Oli's grown up make over. It was amaaaazing! South African girl at the bar was even buying Oli drinks. Charlotte was stealing drinks at some large group's table. AAAWW...Just like good ol' Manila days.


October Highlights:

Most of the month fell under Ramadan - when the city is dead during the day and all clubs are closed temporarily - when eating out during the day involves going through back doors of restaurants - when smoking in the stairwell is cool - when everyone supposedly abstains from any sexual activity...But of course, that didn't stop us from partying and getting sloshed out of Chantal's face.

80s Party - at some lady's faraway villa...we arrived after some tearful navigation all dressed up...only to see drunken fuglies all over the place. It was one challenging party! Plus, presence of freaky-foundationed-made-up-net- skirted-wigged-woman-thing-from-dubai encouraged one to get drunk faster. I loved the nachos and salsa and sausage rolls though.

Bill's Party- All-American Steak, beans, mashed potatoes, booze and Chantal! The perfect mix for an excellent night of binging!

Simon's 80s Gym Karaoke Night - Another wacky episode of Team Doha, fuck yeah!

Ramadan ends tomorrow! Yippeee! The group's heading into the desert up north, camping out for the night! And on Tuesday we'll be out on an all-day boat party, sailing down to Banana Island (yes, there is such a spot...more details soon).

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........