We are staying in an old part of Doha so in between some of the new buildings there are building sites and some dilapidated buildings as well. As has been a theme of this trip Amy made friends with a local cat that was hanging around the entrance to our hotel. We saw a few cats this morning actually, they have all been mangy looking little cats especially compared to some of the fat and healthy ones we’ve made friends with across Europe.

We started the day with a walk down to the waters edge and then around to the Souk Waqif. It was very quiet this morning but we were treated to an air show with jets, bombers, helicopters, smaller planes and larger planes doing fly overs and aerobatics. Apparently it was rehearsals for the Qatar National Day which is next week on the 18th December. It was kind of surreal watching all these planes and helicopters going past at low altitude.

Even though it is only 24 degrees today we were starting to get a bit sweaty so we headed home to freshen up and have a quick breakfast. While we were back at the hotel the call for prayer rang out and it sounded like we were able to listen to the sermon from the mosque next door as well. The fellow sounded angry but maybe that’s just how the language sounds to us. Anyway it is a unique experience for us to hear the call to prayer and I am happy to be somewhere I can hear it. We were also lucky enough to hear it again just as we were leaving. We were outside the hotel and the sound of the call to prayer was echoing off the buildings around us creating a great sound.

We ventured out for lunch and dined at the Damascus One Restaurant to try some Syrian fare. We had to try their hummus and also shared a BBQ plate and it was delicious. We then headed back down to the water front again but this time there were lots of people out and about and the boats seemed to be trying to outdo each other with the volume of their music enticing people on for a dance. It was a fun atmosphere with people enjoying their Friday afternoon with friends and family.

We wandered through the Museum of Islamic Art which was interesting but to be honest I was a bit over looking at things a few days ago so my interest levels were not that high. The main take away for me was the history was very much influenced by wars and merging cultures much the same as it has been in Europe. The origin of Islamic art begins with the desire to establish a distinctive identity. Many of the displays were of ordinary objects such as pots, tiles and jewellery. The need to make ordinary objects beautiful demonstrates that art has been a part of everyday life.

A short walk back to the hotel followed so we could shower up and get ready for the 14 hour last leg of our journey. It’s almost over and I feel at peace with life, this trip has recharged my heart and soul and I hope the way I currently feel inside (apart from the tiredness) can continue forever.

Anyway, we best get downstairs to meet our ride to the airport.