Archive for February 2011

re-run

I see a potential trend. Snapping photos of the same views, the same architectural gems floating on water. On different days, during different seasons, at different times of day. This time around: end of February; winter. around 9AM. Fog billows in front of Doha’s modern West Bay area masking their multiple floors of glass and steel. Sometimes beauty lies in absence.

(cellphone camera shots above)

I had a dream a few evenings ago. Within what was probably a few seconds, though which felt a lot lengthier, I dreamt of a past friend. I have not seen this individual for a few years, however, despite this absence, in the haze of my subconscious, I was still able to conjure up the acute sound of his voice, his image, body language, mannerisms and scent. If this dream was an indicator of anything, apparently, within me, continue to exist fragments of this individual and of a past relationship; a decade of words and exchanges have etched an imprint which has yet to fully fade, and instead, seems to sparkle softly in the background, like a skyline through fog.

what’s done in Doha

I had a friend visit for 5 days on his way from Seoul to London. … And so how do you display Doha to a visitor?

Brave dune bashing. Walk the Corniche. Shop at Villagio. Wander through the criss-crossing alleyways of the Souq Waqif. Eat continuously at the countless restaurants serving tasty regional food, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Turkish – the food list is endless. Get inspired within the walls of the Museum of Islamic Art and the newer Museum of Modern Arab Art. Chat for hours. Try to find the camel races and be happy to stumble upon their training grounds instead. Even cheer Japan on to victory during the Asian Cup Final Game vs. Australia. Below are some pictures snapped at the always breathtaking sand dunes south of the city.

Pinnawela

I didn’t take too many photos in Sri Lanka – I was too busy sitting in silence and then catching up with an old friend. Though I took a few of the sweet elephants all around … and I found out that ‘Aliya’ is elephant in Sinhala which reminded me of a special little person.