American Woman in search of answers

I’d still like to try it : )

Richard123, about the animal market, I just realized that older maps show just the fruit and vegetable market at some point off Salwa road. Anyways the animal one is very near and once you are in that area anybody will be able to direct you there.

When we lived in Saudi you could buy camel meat at the local butchers. It looks a lot nicer than it tastes.

It's a pale looking meat, along the lines of veal. But it's taste and texture is more like a stewing steak.

Great for slow cooking.

Personally, I don't rate it much. More a novelty factor.

There are a lot of traditional kitchens & resturants in Qatar.

Camel milk is expensive as I know.

They also cook Arabnized meals (meals that are original Indian or Pakistani) with some Arabian flavour. For example, they cook Beryani.

It seems to me that Qatar cultural threads are a lot. Maybe "bbksiu Suggestions on Qatari culture" might be good title lol.

A lot of Qatari laws are taken from Islamic laws.

As I know, if two Muslims have problems with each other, or broke the law in a Muslim country, the Islamic law will be used with them or against them. (not sure, ask a scholar, www.islamonline.net/www.islamweb.net

If a Muslim & another person with a different religion have problems with each other, or broke the law in a Muslim country, the Islamic law will be used with them or against them. (not sure, ask a scholar, www.islamonline.net/www.islamweb.net)

I

El ninio said: "As long as you are not muslim or you are not involved with a muslim everything should be ok."

What happens if one or more of the parties are muslim?

Yes bbskiu do that, start a thread on Qatar culture! … and also do tell me please where these " Rayyan Traditional Kitchen, Bukhari & Mundi restaurants" are …is …

Thanks for the info guys. I will try both camel meat and camel milk and will report back to the forum.

I also want to try the other things that bbk suggests. bbk why don't you start a thread on Qatar culture? You could put in all the things of cultural interest, customs, food etc, things that most foreigners never experience here.

What do you think bbk? Go for it.

Camel meat is very tasty to eat yum yum....

"If your number one goal is to make sure that everyone likes and approves of you, then you risk sacrificing your uniqueness and, therefore, your excellence."

You are right about the groping thing Liana, specially in the camel section, I like the animal market but that puts me off every time! And taking a picture next to you always gives them a good excuse. But can you get milk there?

richard: "I think my chances of being groped are thin though, fortunately " … you never know! It's a bit complicated to explain where it is but if you have any map of Doha you can find it indicated there.

bbskiu what drugs are you on because I would really like some?

as Australian camels are disease free. I found a snippet of an article giving more info.

"Peter Seidel, who heads the Central Australian Camel Industry Association, told BBC Online that the Saudis need to import Australian camels for meat production, because they focus on breeding animals for domestic and racing purposes.

"The Saudis do not have enough [camels] for their own consumption of meat," he says.

i don't know what everybody says about this, but i am telling you that as long as you solve the RP problem, you can leave together .No problem at all.

As long as you are not muslim or you are not involved with a muslim everything should be ok.

I do not know why they buy camels from Australia. Maybe an agreement between the two countries.

Camel milk is a little bit different than cow milk. There are lots of people who would love to drink it. If you know hygine laws, you could avoid diarrhoea.

Good tips especially for a man of my age! I think my chances of being groped are thin though, fortunately. Where is the wholesale market? My daughter is visiting soon and she would like to go.

Camel milk is disgusting. if you drink it you will have diarrheoa for days (the first time you drink it anyway). The Bedouins say that camel milk is how they keep so many wives "satisfied" so maybe its worth it Rich ;-)

I milked a camel at the wholesale market in Mamura last weekend. just turn up with your camera and a smile and the camel owners are delighted to let you pat the calves and milk the mums. just watch for the grope - they are pretty brazen.

Why aren't camels bred here in Qatar and in Saudi Arabia. Is there a shortage of camels? Is that why they are so expensive? I would like to try some camel milk.

can you please give me directions to the Rayyan Traditional Kitchen, Bukhari & Mundi restaurants? is there anything that camel meat cure? ... and I shall be looking for a camel owner for the milk!

Saudi Arabia buys camels from Australia as I know. Thus, Australians might also have the opportunity to drink camel milk.

Would you like to contact Harrods and Fortnum & Mason in the UK? They were interested in making camel milk.

Camel milk cures diabetes forever? In-Sha-Allah

Dates seeds removes kidneys stones? In-Sha-Allah

Camel milk is with camel owners. Here many people own camels. Camel meat could be cooked here if you go to Rayyan Traditional Kitchen, Bukhari & Mundi resturants.

If you find a job first you will definitely get a better package. If you are already here packages offered are not as good. Many of my colleagues have spouses who have found jobs here but at half and sometimes a third of the wages the colleagues came out here on.

I would say this my girlfriend and I live together most of the time (CID come and get me) although we are engaged.

We enjoy Qatar purely as a means to and end yes its hot, yes its boring, but I was very fortunate to get an excellent package and therefore we are able to save some money and enjoy holidays away.

We are planning for the future and the financial freedom I have here allows me to do that.

You could have an OK life here, just get a job first.

If your boyfriend insists you don't work, well I am not a relationship councillor but I would definitely have issues with that.

Good luck I hope we have all given you plenty of food for thought.

Thank you all for you comments. The fact of the matter is that I am thinking this through by gathering comments from people with similar experiences.

Also, I make my own decisions after weighing all of the above comments.

This is a good sounding board for me to gather my thoughts and get answers for when he comes over to the US in March and we discuss it.

My concern is whether or not to find work first or go over and find work. I am getting conflicting stories. It seems to me that I would need have a face to face interview with these companies.(just like here in the US)

Thank you all for you comments. The fact of the matter is that I am thinking this through by gathering comments from people with similar experiences.

Also, I make my own decisions after weighing all of the above comments.

This is a good sounding board for me to gather my thoughts and get answers for when he comes over to the US in March and we discuss it.

My concern is whether or not to find work first or go over and find work. I am getting conflicting stories. It seems to me that I would need have a face to face interview with these companies.(just like here in the US)

Thank you all for you comments. The fact of the matter is that I am thinking this through by gathering comments from people with similar experiences.

Also, I make my own decisions after weighing all of the above comments.

This is a good sounding board for me to gather my thoughts and get answers for when he comes over to the US in March and we discuss it.

My concern is whether or not to find work first or go over and find work. I am getting conflicting stories. It seems to me that I would need have a face to face interview with these companies.(just like here in the US)

Thank you all for you comments. The fact of the matter is that I am thinking this through by gathering comments from people with similar experiences.

Also, I make my own decisions after weighing all of the above comments.

This is a good sounding board for me to gather my thoughts and get answers for when he comes over to the US in March and we discuss it.

My concern is whether or not to find work first or go over and find work. I am getting conflicting stories. It seems to me that I would need have a face to face interview with these companies.(just like here in the US)

Thank you all for you comments. The fact of the matter is that I am thinking this through by gathering comments from people with similar experiences.

Also, I make my own decisions after weighing all of the above comments.

This is a good sounding board for me to gather my thoughts and get answers for when he comes over to the US in March and we discuss it.

My concern is whether or not to find work first or go over and find work. I am getting conflicting stories. It seems to me that I would need have a face to face interview with these companies.(just like here in the US)

I'am new in qatar i live here with my boyfriend we have no problems.I have to do a visa run every 30 days, then come back in the country no problem,it's a shopping trip once a month.And yes i'm a little board but that's anywhere you move until you get to no people.Once your here look for a job then they can sponser you,or maybe you two will get married after awhile.Were planning to but don't let other's dictate your life do what you feel is right for your relationship,you can always move back if it does'nt work.It's a great experience that not a lot of people get to do in their life time.

johnjo, you might want to read thoroughly the thread once more …

ello with referance to living in the uk my advice is apply for a holiday visa check the country out find out were u will be living etc it really is a great place

Speaking of camel milk … where can I find it? I’d like to try it! And camel meat as well. Can anybody help? bbksiu?

Well conkle it doesn't look like you have thought this through too well. Maybe bbk is right and you should come here to drink camel's milk and brush your teeth with Arak tree's stick and in'shallah get cured of Jinn haunting. Lets face it, there are'nt many placed where you can do thsse things.

Qatar Internet Police?

Hey maybe your boyfriend is planning to propose the moment you step on the country! … just joking :o)

It is true that living together without being married is illegal in this country … on paper. Unmarried couples do live together here and Gypsy is right, without even being too discrete. There are even men and women who share houses without being in a relationship, just as housemates, because of the rental madness. So no, that's not your main problem!

Charlene:

"So long as you don't broadcast that you aren't married you will be fine!"

:-)

She is already broadcasting it!

Conkle, You can live here with your boyfriend no problem,You don't even need to be that discreet. But you have to find work because he can't sponsor you and you can't stay in the country without sponsorship. Not only that, but you will go a little stir crazy without a job.

I've been here over a year now and I have to say I really like it here. It has it's downsides that make the chances of me staying here long term pretty slim, but I would if I could. :)

There are couples that live together in Qatar that are not married. I think they have given you too much to worry about. So long as you don't broadcast that you aren't married you will be fine!

I've lived in Qatar for over a year now, I do not work. And guess what, I am not bored!

ooo was right we are all different people, therefore different attitudes about everything of course.

One can never truly know how they will feel about a place until they have lived there and experienced things on thier own.

I often hear how boring Qatar is on this site, however, I do not feel that way. Yes of course there are times when you will second guess what you are doing here but I don't think that is because you are in Qatar, I think that one would feel that way from time to time no matter what country you are in when living abroad.

Also I find the locals to be quite friendly. Maybe not make the first move to do so but once you do then they are quick to follow I find.

Good luck with your decision!

Charlene

if you live out here! I didnt for months on end when i was trying to find a job and i went stir crazy!! Its not as bad as everyones making it out to be out here! I hated it for the first few months now its cool! Dont worry about living together i know people who do and arent married its cool they wont find out!! Theres a alcohol shop out here were you can get it from and you can drink in the bars out here! Go for it, you can always move back if you dont like it rather than wondering what if i had moved out here!

love life!

Conkle99: He doesn't want you to work? What are you getting yourself into?

It's a big jump no doubt about it, and you need to think it through carefully. Don't be put off by our comments though, we are all different people.

I agree with aviduser: you'll need a job and not just for the sponsorship but also because otherwise you'll get bored to tears after a few weeks.

Once again try and visit, see it for yourself so that you can take an educated decision.

How long has your boyfriend lived in Qatar? How come he doesn't know you need a job (or a husband …) to live here?

" Expatriates come here to make money because there is no enough opportunities in their countries. So maybe Qatar is a place to work not "enjoy" life. "

Have you noticed how many expats are leaving/planning to leave Qatar lately? Does this tell you there are not enough opportunities in other countries? Or that people are just after money?

Who on earth would do that, I actually came her wanting to learn about the culture, meet the people, make friends and enjoy the Arabian hospitality.

Turned out the Arabian hospitality was a massive myth, the people were not that nice and the culture was non existant. And its bloody hot.

The hospitality of the Filipinos and Indians is fantastic, always friendly with smiles on their faces even though they have to service the lovely locals, every day without thanks.

It looks like you are coming round to the idea its probably not the best move you could make.

BUT !!! If you could get a well paid job, with an excellent package then that would certainly take the edge off. And would allow you to love Qatar for the same reason I do.

It allows me to get out of the Country as often as I do, that is of course if your company is kind enough to be bothered to give you an exit permit.

For your own goods, better you get married first and come live in Doha with him. You will get deportation or jail if the police find out. And they will find out. Just somehow they can. And I think you can get a job easily here with your skill and experience. Do come for visit first and see Doha, I think you can get tourist visa easily with Qatar Airways sponsorship. Or you can contact Mr. Baha Ahmad in Cleopatra Travel. Maybe he can help you with sponsorship. He number: +974 5521560 or +974 4322809.

Good luck.

I am beginning to wonder if this the right move for me.

They might also come here to learn Arabic language, learn about Islam, drink camel milk, drink ZamZam holy water if brought from Meccah, brush their teeth with Arak tree's stick 'sewak', get cured-InShaAllah-of Jinn hauting, see sand dunes, eat dates, eat seeds of dates, see Arabian horses, see oryx (al-Maha), see Dahls (caves)

Expatriates come here to make money because there is no enough opportunities in their countries. So maybe Qatar is a place to work not "enjoy" life.

Expatriates come here to make money because there is no enough opportunities in their countries. So maybe Qatar is a place to work not "enjoy" life.

Right, yeah I think that all the time,

Check out www.qatarsucks.com for more on how liberal it is.

The comment above is spot on, only come here if you really really like the guy. He doesn't want you to work, why.

If you don't work I guarantee you will want to kill yourself after six weeks, less in the Summer.

Living together, just don't let anyone find out, you could be deported but to be honest Qatar does not need that kind of bad publicity right now.

They are struggling to attract people here because of the inflation and spiralling rents.

Good luck

Nobody is perfect

Tears, government does not always represent people.

He doesnt want me to really work there. I however, would like too. I am in finance and sales here in the US and do quite well. What type of work would I be able to find? How would I look for work? And is it hard to get a sponsor?

And, thank you all for your help.

He doesnt want me to really work there. I however, would like too. I am in finance and sales here in the US and do quite well. What type of work would I be able to find? How would I look for work? And is it hard to get a sponsor?

And, thank you all for your help.

I dont think there is any problem with the issues you have raised. I have a few western friends who have been living together for quite a while now. Although they met each other after coming here and were on seperate sponsorships but ended up living together.

As far as drinking is concerned. I do not drink myself (except water, juice & milk :), people say that they have absolutely no problem accessing alcohol.

Hope this helps.

well u can come to a five start hotel for few days, ur date can see u as guest, the only thing is it would be expensive. also u can drink in the hotel bar or in the rooms as well.

bbksiu: what are u talking about? don't lie okay!!

are you trying to scare western expat off? I totally agree on one thing though: this is not Heaven, definitely not!

Here is not Heaven. They have laws that the West does not follow.

Here being close to or committing adultry, fornication or sodomy is not allowed. Also, drinking is not allowed. When going out you could cover yourself completelly (i.e. no hair, ears, neck, chest, arms & legs. No tight clothes are allowed too.

Yes, you can live together -

You'll need to be discreet, i.e. do not tell your muslim friends and acquaintances about it.

Yes, you can go out for drinks -

No need to be discreet here as long as you consume in bars and night clubs (which are almost always in hotels) and your home. During Ramadan you can only drink up at home and it's common practice to stock up on booze before this period.

Also, never ever get into trouble with the cops when drunk. Drink driving is definitely not advisable.

But, I agree fully with "OOO". Come in on a holiday and see for yourself before you decide.

Qatar is amongst the more liberal of Gulf countries I believe, which isn't saying enough because the Gulf does not even compare to the liberality of the fertile crescent Arab countries like Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Though I personally don't drink, the vast majority of people I know do, and they do not seem to have a problem accessing it (which makes for some interesting weekends I can assure you!)

Where in the US do you live? And what are your qualifications? Have you considered looking for a job here?

If you are thinking about getting married to the guy, I believe he can sponsor you, contact the American Embassy for more info (though i never found them to be particularly resourceful lol). Their number is (974) 4884101.

Good luck!

Don't let one man's dream become another's nightmare

unless you really really really and I mean really like the guy! Come for a short visit and see it for yourself, check the place out. And as k977etc pointed out you'll need to find a sponsor, (i.e. employer) to be able to move here.

Well, for one thing, you don't just move to Qatar. You have to have a residence visa, which means you have to be sponsored, usually by a family member or an employer. They're not going to let your BF sponsor you.

Can you live together? If you don't mind living illegally, sure, you can live together. Whether this in fact turns into a problem will depend on a whole lot of factors, but you should be aware that it CAN turn into the sort of problem that spells p-r-i-s-o-n and d-e-p-o-r-t-a-t-i-o-n.

You can drink, lots of people do (I do), but you will be in a Muslim country under Sharia law. You would be well advised to be very discreet.

Lastly, Qatar would not be my first choice if having "a good time" were all that important to me. I think of it more as a place that one navigates as best one can. It's not all that bad a place to live, but you do have to be somewhat resourceful.