Post #3 - Calen's Post

 

The experience in Qatar so far has been exciting and insightful. Tons of surprises and breathtaking scenes make you realize how much of the world you're missing out on & how stereotypes cannot be taken as fact for many places in the world. In our first Saturday here in Qatar, we woke up at 12 pm (I know right). All that rest had me in a good mood for the oncoming adventure. Today, my host mother cooked a delicious breakfast. We had omelets, pancakes, and bacon with a tall glass of orange juice. As I am told, most Arab mothers want you to eat until you can't anymore. They always want to make sure you are good and don't go hungry in your trip. It's a quality that I am used to because my mother at home does the same thing. My host, Yaseen, let me know after breakfast that we'd be joining our peers (Sherifa, Willow, Medhat, Julien, Nikki, and Lina) at two of Qatar's most famous sites and hang-out areas. Around 4:00, we all took a half hour cab ride to Katara and enjoyed a mixture of Arab & American music. Surprisingly, they knew a lot of tunes that are common to us in the states. By the time we got there, everyone had gotten to know each other and we knew we'd have a visit to remember. 

The first site we visited was the Katara Cultural Village. In the image, you will see the waterfall with lights & in the distance you'll notice the beautiful buildings & Qatari Architecture. The sightseeing here is outstanding. You know it's really nice when people who have been coming here for years are still in awe of the images. Afterwards, we got to taste one of Qatar's most famous teas called Karak or (كرك) and even one of their best foods called Koshary. 

After hanging out for a couple hours there, we visited The Pearl. There are some amazing sights in The Pearl. Qatari natives come to the Pearl in their fancy vehicles, dressed culturally and eat at nice upscale restaurants and just enjoy their time there. Everyone seems so happy and at peace that it almost makes you want to stay here. All in all, the trip has been extremely helpful as far as answering any questions we'd have as Americans. But, sadly we only have a couple days left and we'll make the most out of it and enjoy the cultural immersion here in Qatar. I would definitely recommend this trip to more people. 

Post #4- Willow's Post

Today we went to Middle East International School, where our hosts go. It was definitely not how I expected it. I figured that since the city is so nice, the school would be big. One thing I really liked about the school is how colorful it was on the outside. The layout is really nice. However, the school holds students from kindergarten to senior year of high school. With the amount of students and the size of the school, it was pretty crammed on the inside, especially upstairs where most of the classrooms are. Classes felt very short since they don’t have block scheduling like we do. They were about 45 minutes each. I went to Pre Calc, Chemistry, Arabic, Art, and Psychology with my host. The other two periods we had a study hall to work on assignments from home. Arabic class was taught in Arabic completely so it was fun to try to follow along with what the teacher was saying. Another thing that was interesting is that instead of having a lunch period, they have recess, which is an hour long. During this period, they are allowed to go wherever they want, so we ate, then played a game of basketball in the gym. The day felt very short, probably due to the short classes.

After school, her driver brought us home and we slept until 7 pm. It was really cool to see school in another culture. Living with a host family has been a great experience so far. They have been very nice and I feel at home when I am with them. Her mom cooks lots of delicious Arabic food every day, which I enjoy, such as Molokhiyya, which is a special herb only grown in the Middle East, and Koshary, a rice and pasta dish with spiced tomato sauce. 

My host is very close with a few of the other hosts, so we go out together. Two nights ago we went to Katara and the Pearl, which has lots of shops and restaurants. Night life in Doha is very buzzing and flashy. Everything is always lit up, even the skyscrapers are a colorful sight. It’s almost like a mini version of New York City.

I can’t wait to see what every day and night holds for me.

Photos to come... 

Post #2 - Shaniya's Post

The day I found out I was going to Qatar I knew it would be full of adventure and fun. I've only been here for 3 days and I'm extremely satisfied; I do NOT want to leave. The kids are just like us and they love the same things we do. I knew that there would be some similarities but not as much as I experienced from them. I met this amazing girl Ameera who happens to be hosting an annoying girl like myself. She is everything that a good host should be. She is responsible and she has great hospitality. Although her mom is away in Lebanon she made me feel welcome my first night that I was there. She made sure that I was comfortable even though she was under a lot of stress. Her flight was the next day and her sister was sick so she was pretty much all overwhelmed. Honestly, Ameera is basically the Arab version of me. We joke around the same way, we LOVE to sleep, we like basketball, and we procrastinate way to much. I really like her and her friends, they are so much fun.

So, today is Saturday and we were exhausted from the night before. Jet lag was killing me and staying out late in the streets of Souq Waqif was as well. We didn't fall asleep until about 2 a.m. The alarm went off at 11:30 a.m. Ameera and I got up, looked at each other, then went right back to bed. We didn't get up until 1 p.m and we were supposed to meet up with friends at 2. We were no where near ready. We got dressed, skipped breakfast and we were out the door. Her father picked us up and we went over to Tahany's house where Mariam, Dana, Marysia, and Sarah were waiting on us. We were all going to the 1 month old "Mall of Qatar". All of us piled up into the small van and we were on our way. Tahany had a driver (so cool) and he didn't care what we did. The music blasted through the speakers while we sang together, being teenage girls. It was about a 30 minute ride in a cramped and loud van, but we finally made it. To start off, the outside of the mall was bigger than any mall I've ever seen in America. There were big fountains and lights on the outside with cool plants and expensive cars parked out front. I walked into this modernized and luxurious building that was just breathtaking. There were plants running up the wall, big glass chandeliers, and a really big (fake) elephant in the middle of the food court. This food court had a FOREST right smack in the middle. There was a rainfall and plants, trees, and a few big t.v.'s that played Arabic music videos in the middle of the court. This food court had all different varieties of restaurants you could name. Since we came from America we all chose to eat Arabic food since we were in Qatar. The food was amazing as I already expected. Although we beg them to let us pay, they won't let us. But we soon trick them.(Ill get to that later.)

We walked around and enjoyed all the scenery of the beautiful mall and its stores. I've never seen so many stores in one place in my life. After hours of walking we went to get dessert. We all order some tasty chocolate treats, ( I swear I have diabetes) and enjoyed every last moment in that shop. We talked, laughed and "Snap Chatted" everything.(You know young people things.) Our CGS gang huddled up and came up with a plan to pay. Ana decided to "go to the bathroom" and she payed for all of us then we (the CGS GANG) payed her back. When they went up to pay they wouldn't stop smiling because they knew that we had went behind their backs to pay and I honestly thought it was so cute. This day was really cool even though I was dying from exhaustion. After millions of pictures and another noisy car ride we went back to Souq Waqif, where we walked around and enjoyed the shops and scenery. Later that night Ameera, Tahany, and Sarah went to a BBQ at Ameera's cousin's house. We played an Arabic version of "Sorry" and stayed up late talking and laughing. I only got 1 hour of sleep but it was worth it. I wouldn't waste time in a country like this because I'm tired. (That's stupid!!)

 

Post #1- Ms. Fortuna's Entry

Hi All,

I will write the first entry since the kids have been very busy getting to know their host siblings, and since it has been the weekend, so most haven't had access to the computer. We have just arrived at school, and our students are attending classes this morning, and then they will return to this classroom, our weekly command central, to have a study hall.  This is a cheerful school with bright colors and big windows and a lot of children's art on the walls.  The school has grades pre- through high, so there are many adorable children to see everywhere.  I look forward to sitting in on a class, and to hearing how our CGS students enjoy this morning's lessons.

So far, all is great.  Everyone is happy.  The host siblings are a warm, enthusiastic bunch- one of the friendliest bunches I have seen in exchange students that we've had.  The matches also seem to be well-picked, and the pairs are hanging out comfortably.  Shaniya's host sister came up to me at the Souk (outdoor market) last night and said, "I love Shaniya so much!"

Since it has been the weekend, the kids have been to the mall, at family barbeques, out to dinner at the souk, and having all kinds of fun.

They have just arrived in study hall after attending three 45-minute classes, which they reported were easy.  But, they are all tired having stayed up late and woken up early, so they are groaning about getting out their own schoolwork.

On Friday night, each of their host siblings treated them to dinner at "Damascus" a fantastic Syrian restaurant.  We had a sort of Middle Eastern tapas with many delicious, fresh dishes such as hummus, taboule, baba ganoush, salads of different types, a perfumed quinoa with tomato sauces, garlic potatoes, yogurt, beef, etc.  During the dinner, we heard live music and there was a marvelous dancer, one who performed as a "whirling dervish" with seven minutes of twirling in different skirts.  It was something to see!   Some of the kids tried twirling after him and lasted just about ten seconds each.  Many of the diners also smoked brightly colored houkas all around us.  The garb is a big mix, many western clothes, and many varieties of Middle Eastern dress for men and women. There are many types of fashion for the students to observe.  Some of the kids tried twirling after him and lasted just about ten seconds each.

The weather has been unexpected:  rain one day, wind the next, and today is sunny but chilly.

Doha is pretty.  The part we are in is low and all of the buildings are painted a sandy color.  The arched shape of the windows and the scrolly garden gates are what you might picture when you think of the Arab world, and where people have planted trees, they are gorgeous palms.  Also, there are quite a few stray cats, but no dogs anywhere.

Ok, that's all for now.  I will see who needs help with homework, and pass my computer along to the next blog writer.  Don't worry excessively about your children; they are safe, well-fed, and happy.

 Ma salaama!

Happy Landings!

Ms. Fortuna reports everyone landed safely and soundly.  One photo from the airport shows everyone smiling and excited--not even looking too tired!

Stay tuned to hear from our students!