Arrival Doha, Qatar

Doha city view from a barrier island while on tour.

This is our first view as we approach Doha, Qatar and the picture only shows a portion of the vast skyline.  This city like the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE has literally sprouted out of the desert in the last 50+ years.  Once the extent of the oil and LNG reserves were discovered these cities emerged changing this part of the world forever.   We hear a lot about Dubai but actually among the UAE Abu Dhabi is the biggest in size, oil reserves and economy.  Qatar does not have oil but plenty of natural gas which will keep its economy booming for decades.  The culture of these Arab cities is very interesting since the citizenry amounts to about 15% or less and the rest of the multi-million population in each city is comprised of expatriates (aka epats) from all over the world.   Some are performing the most menial jobs where sending remittances home is essential while others are craftsman, businessmen, medical specialists or scholars.   These expats have no path to citizeznship or rights of property ownership.  Most of the citizens do no work unless it is as the managing partner of a business or serves as a high government official.   Until now utilities are free and there are no taxes.  However, several times now that the price of oil has declined so severely there may be some changes.  

All over the  Middle East and especially in Qatar falconry is a popular sport of the wealthy.   These birds are prized more than family pets with special hospitals and unique arrangements for their travel.    The law prohibits putting them in cages and so they actually travel on airplanes hooded and on leashes sitting next to their owners!   This handsome bird greeted us at the Arrivals Terminal!