i got to spend a day in doha, qatar on the way to my family reunion in kenya in december, which was a place i’ve always wanted to be able to visit. qatar is famous for being the richest country in the world thanks to its exports of natural gas, and recently for punching well above its weight in the sphere of international relations. it is scheduled to host the 2022 fifa world cup despite concerns over the treatment of many of its foreign workers, a demographic which constitute 90% of its population. my south indian taxi driver in doha ranted about how they took away his passport for the duration of his five year work contract, and how qataris are so entitled and do nothing with themselves, treating foreigners with zero dignity. his words. i went to the new atmospheric museum of islamic art, built on the waterfront with a view across the gulf to the impressive doha skyline. the building is probably more impressive than the art inside. i then spent the rest of the day visiting malls, including one themed after venice, where you can take gondola rides through the mall’s canals.
