Dea in Doha--where dreams aren't deserted

Another worthwhile walk. These are moments I would never trade with any luxurious ride.

Winter stroll at Katara Cultural Village

I fixed my summer hat and regretted not being able to take a long walk by the bay. I wanted to stay but I don’t want to be attached to it so much. Hours have gone by and I am starting to feel so pathetically sentimental. So before anything happens, that moment, I have decided to hop at the back seat and head back home.

But when these changes will be implemented, and how they will affect the majority of people who live here, remains to be seen.

Gulf Art

Shining piece of art//For the love of lamps//Spotted at the Souq Waqif //

I feel guilty of having been traveling the virtual world wide web this past few months and being an active netizen that I forgot that I am a citizen of this real, great wide world. Something is missing. So just tonight I went out to an amazing fine desert evening to just inhale exhale real air, walk real roads, hear real talks and really learn. Oh the night is just lovely, its not hot nor cold. Me and Tatay chilled in a park bench with our banana fruit drink and discussed about our artistic endevours. I've never been so excited in my life like this. Passion is just all over us hoping it won't die. Then we had a 15 minutes walk going to the Souq Waqif where I saw colorful and intricatetly made arab lamps. Oh I want to have those. While Tatay bought a scarf just what he always wanted to do and wore it on his head the whole time. Now he looks like a rebel. Fine. I really love going to the Souq at night. I was having a wonderful time even just looking around. Then we spotted the small artshop where I saw the portrait of the wretched child. I was thrilled to see it was still hanging on the wall. And again, I felt the connection. But the most amazing part is meeting the artist. We spotted Wisam in his desk, entered his world and realized that it is also our home. Our meeting was magical only artists would understand. This kind of people is what I call my soulmates. No matter what would be the consequences of me going out of work early tonight would be worth it. The yummy bulalo we had in a Filipino restaurant wrapped up my wonderful Wednesday getaway. A night I will remember for the rest of my life. The night when I finally knew what was missing.

Orangey bright as the sun. Fresh and cold orange juice for a blazing Doha June afternoon!

While at the backseat in the middle of the traffic, I came across this simple but impactful print ad. I especially love how subtle and smart the message on this ad was telling to each passer-by, including me. Keep this in mind.

Desert beach. Wait, I'm confused. Nevertheless, I sooo love the place. Taken one blazing hot Friday morning at Al Wakra Family Beach Resort.

My silly, little encounter with the famous Doves of the Souq Waqif.

Well yeah, this is a usual scene at almost all the residential streets of Doha. Garbage bin: a home for pussycats. But this skinny cat is quite strange, I seldom see malnourished cats around. He is probably not a local. Meow!

Desert Palm trees galore. It's here, there and everywhere! (a collection)

Hey STOP right there! Just dropped by to show you this amazing summer sunset. God never fails to make me pause just to amaze me. HE keeps that star shining!

While the rest of my fellow Taclobanon struggle to wake up from the nightmare brought by SuperTyphoon Haiyan, I was here in Doha all those time, wasn't able to do anything and was suffering from a different kind of nightmare myself. As I gaze upon the granduer of this desert city and its skyscrapers day and night, I can't help but think of my devastated city. The great contrast breaks my heart. But part of me,being a true-blue Taclobanon, is always resilient and hopeful of better things to come. I believe in my heart that my city, Tacloban, will rise up again. Perhaps not as sophisticated as Doha but I'm confident that it would be stronger than any city in the world. I might be in a foreign land for the meantime but I left my heart to the soils where it belongs. Indeed there would be no place number one in my heart like Tacloban City, my home.Yes, I'm now at the richest city of the GCC but my thoughts are still in Tacloban City.