Isabelle in Doha
A French expatriate in Qatar from March 2008 to February 2009Archive for souq
Pieces of the Wholesale market
The Doha Wholesale market is located on the south west of the city, between Haloui and Wholesale market streets. It is partly within building like sheds or closed, partly open air, with roofs to shelter the animals.
The fruits and vegetables market is a big square, ventilated but not air conditioned shed where many salesmen show their magnificent stalls of in season fruits and vegetables, from all over the world. It is a pleasure to see these products well arranged, these colours and the smiles of the salesmen when they are asked whether we can take a picture. I do not understand what they say between them but they seem to laugh about this tourist who takes pictures of their stalls!
Fruits and vegetables
Blue legged crabs
Camel and its young
Near, the fish market, in a closed, ventilated building whose doors are always open, you understand why when you come inside. A tremendous smell of fresh fish takes you from the entrance but it is not unpleasant. Beware, there is stagnant water on the ground, raise your trousers and skirts or go with short clothes. You will also find there many stalls plenty of fresh fishes, arranged by species with sometimes the price but rarely the fish’s kind. You have to ask to know that. You will also find crustaceans like these blue legged crabs. The salesmen look to sell their goods and pose very happy, oftenly with humour! If you buy a fish, you can have it scaled and eviscerated in a little room for one Riyal per kilo. Then, you will have your purchase wrapped up in crushed ice and plastic bag.
You can also have a look on the meat and chicken market before you go and see the living animals, on the other side of the street. There, in open air, under roofs, cram sheep, goats and camels, as well as pigeons and falcons.
This visit can be done in several times, preferably early in the morning to avoid the heat.
Strolling in Souq Waqif
There is a place in Doha that is really charming. It is one of the rare outdoor place where you can go and enjoy a walk.
A restaurant in the Souq Waqif
In the heart of Doha, near the sea, the Souq Waqif is the oldest souq of the city and one of the Heritage of Qatar’s places to see. In arabic, its name means “Standing market”, for the merchants had to stand on the banks of the river to sell their goods. Although it has been rebuilt, following the traditional Qatari use of materials and architectural techniques, i really think the souq has this authenticity that you do not find so much elsewhere in the city.
In the main street, there are all sorts of restaurants and cafes, and also some shops selling traditional artifacts and goods. In the little streets, there are plenty of small shops where you can find clothing, fabrics, toys, jewels, perfumes, candies, spices, teas, herbal teas, etc.
A shop in Souq Waqif
Now that the heat and the humidity are lower, it is a pleasure to stroll in the streets of the Souq, in the warm evening.
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Visit those sites about the Souq Waqif:
- the Souq on Heritage of Qatar website;
- Souq Waqif, for an history of the souq and a nice black and white photo gallery, from the book by Maher Attar;
- a review on Qatarvisitor.
