I remember reading awhile back that Qatar was building modular stadiums that they could break down i

Yay! Two golds! Forgive me for being patriotic, I don't usually go over the top like this... but I'm so proud of the women's rowers, Heather Stanning bus travel in usa and Helen Glover, (Helen only took the sport up four years ago)... here they are! ( Photo: Telegraph) and also cyclist Bradley Wiggins, first Englishman ever to win the Tour de France and the holder of more gold medals than any other Englishman, I heard someone say. (I haven't bus travel in usa checked that) ( Photo: Evening Standard) The two golds were even worth the damp behind I got as I sat down on some outdoor chairs to watch one of the many screens beaming the Olympics in Bayt Qatar, next to the Savoy Hotel. "Bayt" means house or home, and this is where the emirate of Qatar hosts athletes, journalists and visitors during the Games. Many countries also have "houses" which are open to press and public. It helps them to get a bit of publicity for their latest projects. Qatar's the only one I visited, since I didn't know much about this small Gulf State at all. Most of Qatar's money comes from oil, but it's branching out into tourism and we were offered press trips out there, (although from what I overheard, bus travel in usa I wouldn't be buying any sunglasses or tickets on the Heathrow Express just yet.) It tries to play up its difference from its neighbours. Not as modernized bus travel in usa as shopping-crazy Dubai, and less intolerant about women than Saudi Arabia, and so on. And talking of this, there was a large photographic display of Qatari female bus travel in usa athletes, at which one of our party declared loudly, "This is all just lip service! How hypocritical!" And it is the first year Qatar's had Olympic women, but it is trying to improve, with three women competing this year, including shooter Bahiya al-Hamad as a flag carrier at the opening ceremony. Part of the reason is that Qatar wants to get itself into a fit state to bid for the 2022 Olympics, and it won't win if other countries don't like its attitude to women. Al-Jazeera (which is bacled by Qatar) has a media centre in the house, and there were enormous screens everywhere, many tuned to live events. In the rather glamorous bar, we had cucumber smoothies (there was no alcohol on offer, which is not unusual in Muslim places). We were invited also to try a BATAK fitness training machine, which tests the reactions and is used a lot by racing drivers. Here's bus travel in usa a demo of the machine. It wasn't the one we saw but it saves me having to describe how to use it. It was surprisingly bus travel in usa good fun We also saw various architectural models of new developments in the Qatari capital, Doha. They are apparently sustainable, eco friendly and so on, although since we were not given any press kits, I can't tell you the details. It was funny, this lack of press kits. And that's why I don't even know what kind of building this is, let alone exactly where it is. What do you think? bus travel in usa A sports bus travel in usa stadium, I think. Are those pools around it? (A prize of a Qatar enamelled pin to anyone who offers the most convincing answer.) There was a very comfortable little performance space, illuminated in brilliant colours...like the cosiest kind of private cinema. Here, you see the bandstand is set up. They're running entertainments bus travel in usa and showing films to the general public during the games, as they seem proud of their film industry. The general public bus travel in usa can visit the ground floor of Bayt Qatar beween 3 pm and 3 am every day, free. THey're only allowed on the ground floor, but we were taken to the top of the building, to the white-carpeted restaurant. (Imagine, a restaurant with white carpet.) All the food comes from Harrods, which is now Qatari owned. Yes, for a country bus travel in usa of just three quarters of a million, they are VERY rich). My photo has come out looking pink in this picture, but it was really dazzling white. It won't be used till 9 PM tonight, as it's Ramadan and many Muslims don't eat at all during the daylight hours. Walking around and looking at it all, I got the idea that all this was just temporary - but since we didn't get any press kits, I don't really bus travel in usa know if it really is. T hen we climbed even higher,up a spiral staircase to a rooftop garden with wonderful views over the Thames. And that is when I got my wet behind. Because I just HAD to leave the group for a few moments to watch the cycling and see if I could cheer Wiggo on. So I sat on a red divan like the one below. They're wonderful for lounging in the open air, but are not really suitable for England's climate.... Oh, they were wet! But the view was impressive, with St. Pauls, the Gherkin and the Thames. bus travel in usa There are all kinds of interesting things to see around London at the moment, and I'll post some more soon. When I'm not glued to the television watching to see if we get another bus travel in usa gold, that is. PS ... if you are in London and want to go along, bus travel in usa the address is 2 Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL. I believe they have a lady henna-ing hands and people serving special Qatari tea in their "souk" area :)
What a place..congratulations to your countrymen/women. That s quite expected, that patriotism. Your Olympic report give a great viewpoint. I thank you for that. As to that building. I think those are blue color reflective panels..a very hot, sunny area. It would be possible they could use them as solar collectors, to help power the building. Massive, colorful and rather low..only a few (5-10) levels, based upon the size of autos. Reply Delete Rachel Cotterill 1 August 2012 19:55
Oh I think you get show you patriotism and brag a little on your olympians. I m cheering for you as well as the USA. Almost all of our viewing bus travel in usa is delayed...I try not to read the spoilers. What an interesting place to visit. Everything looks lovely. Reply Delete Lynne 1 August 2012 21:23
I enjoyed seeing Olympic happenitougherough your eyes. Congratulations to your Brit winners. I watched the Briish men s gymnastic team. They did very well . . . it is only right you are cheering for YOUR people. White carpet, in fact ALL white for doing doesn t seem to foster relaxation . . . , looks lovely though! Reply Delete LL Cool Joe 1 August 2012 21:41
My family are delighted by the medal winners. :) Love the white restaurant. Looks very interesting. Glad you had fun, even if you got a wet bum! Reply Delete Don #39;t unplug bus travel in usa your hub. 1 August 2012 21:55
The summer bus travel in usa Olympics in a Muslim state would be interesting to say the least especially with the outfits that the female beach volleyball players wear! There was a news article here about a Muslim woman who wanted to wear her scarf as she participated in a sport (I believe it was Judo) or she wouldn t participate bus travel in usa (according to her dad). The head scarf was against the rules for safety reasons which left me wondering why she showed bus travel in usa up if she knew this. But could you imagine bus travel in usa what it would be like if it all was reverse (due to it being held in a country like Qatar) and women would have to wear a burka? Yea, it would be an interesting sight. As for the mystery picture, I thought bus travel in usa it was a very nice sculpture/art work before I read the description. As to what it could be, it reminds me of the drive in movie theater that was so popular back in the 60 s. Reply Delete Rose from Oz is Back! 1 August bus travel in usa 2012 23:15
I remember reading awhile back that Qatar was building modular stadiums that they could break down in size also transport to other countries. I think they are making a bid for the Soccer World Cup. I agree they are probably solar panels bus travel in usa to power the building. Probably built on an island or peninsula out on the water. Reply Delete Jill 2 August 2012 00:13
It looks like a sports arena to me...or maybe even a training facility. Very pretty but not near as nice as that white dining room. It s beautiful! bus travel in usa You have really shown us so much again today and I thank you! Reply Delete Christine B.Osborne 2 August 2012 00:31
Qatar has one of the world s biggest off-shore gas fields. This, together bus travel in usa with oil reserves, gives its citizens the greatest income per capita of any nation on earth. bus travel in usa Development was restricted by the present emir s father and by indecision among local sheikhs as to who owned the valuable land around West Bay in central Doha. In 1977 I wrote about Qatar in my book The Gulf States and Oman-the first business and travel book on the Arab States of the Gulf. It used to be a pleasant old backwater but under the current ruler Sheikh Hamad, while it is not as developed as either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, progress has been astonishing. Of course Qatar has the funds to buy anything it wants...mineral wealth being some compensation for the tedious bus travel in usa landscape--rough cobble conglomerate covers most of the country which is flat except for giant sand dunes in the south, location of the specacular inland sea (a picture of this is on the front page of my website) www.copix.co.uk As to whether you might pay a visit Jenny, no reason not to - except in mid-summer, the weather is sweet, Qataris are very likeable people exhibiting none of the arrogance of some of their GCC neighbours. Enjoy! Reply Delete lina 2 August bus travel in usa 2012 01:07
Congratulations to your medalists! Though some of my family comes from that part of the world, i have little interest in actually visiting the Middle East. Even if they are getting a little bit better about their attitudes toward women. Reply Delete Jeanie 2 August 2012 01:40
Oh, this is gorgeous! That dining room! A fascinating post. And I m glad you could catch the Olympics. I was sneaking in the time trial to route for Wiggo at my office today. I don t think I was caught, but would it matter? bus travel in usa Not a whit! Reply Delete Sara 2 August 2012 02:36
You ve been having some very interesting Olympic adventures! I was interested to learn that bayt means house in Arabic...it s the same word in Hebrew. bus travel in usa Of course, bus travel in usa that makes sense as the two languages are very closely related. And I d like to send congratulations for the Gold Medals Britain has won! I think that is great and hope some others might be forthcoming. Reply Delete Starting Over, Accepting C