Qatar (2019)
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Day 1:
My day started with hailing a cab in the shopping area of Doha, the capital of Qatar. I was flabbergasted by all of the skyscrapers towering upwards way past the eye could see. 'Tornado Tower' was particularly striking with its hourglass shape, images and hypnotic pattern, a structure that was deeply ingrained into my memory of the region.
A short while later, I reach the Marina at the Perl Qatar, a human-made Island with Mediterranean among other architectural influences, almost like a whole new world from where I was moments ago.
There, I met a group of energetic and kind Indonesian participants for interviews and a focus group. I soaked up the warmth of the sun and the intriguing stories about their educational journeys in Indonesia and their hotel management experiences in Qatar... [Ethnographic Fieldwork Journal Entry #1, 2019].
'Tornado Tower,' located in the shopping centre of Doha, Qatar
Marina at the Perl Qatar, a human-made Island with Mediterranean among other architectural influences
Day 2:
Waking up refreshed, I headed for a focus group session with a group of South Asian construction workers near the Falcon Souq, a historical area for learning about falcons in Qatari heritage, purchasing falconry equipment, or taking your falcon to a state-of-the-art falcon hospital. A place I found myself visiting daily, giving me goosebumps on each visit.
The anticipated 2020 World Cup attracted many migrants on labour contracts to pursue work in Qatar, with a large number of contracts in Hotel management and construction. Both sectors came with their perks; higher pay than 'back home' was a common theme across most participants. Those in construction, though, often had more precarious experiences with even death a reality for many. Yet the resilience of those I met filled my time in Qatar with joy, making it so memorable... [Ethnographic Fieldwork Journal Entry #2, 2019].
Falcons in Falcon Souq, a deeply historical area where I spent countless hours lost in awe
Day 3:
A group of Nepali youth and I participated in a 'walking ethnographic focus group,' a combination of methods where we visited the outskirts of Qatar to see the ancient villages and the stunning deserts. This was a unique way to hear about Qatar's history while folding in the lived experiences of participants into the memories being made on the trip.
As we explore the ancient towns in the area close to the Arabian Sea, we chat and reminisce about Nepal and our time in Qatar. I climb to the top of a viewpoint and peer out of the window, peering towards the waves—strong but not rough.
The shiny stones of the remains of an ancient village where residents lived thousands of years ago evoke awe. I find myself momentarily lost in thought, entranced by the rhythm of the waves and the whisper of the winds [Ethnographic Fieldwork Journal Entry #3, 2019].
An ancient village in Qatar
Day 4:
While preparing to meet a group of higher educators from Canada teaching in Qatar, I passed through the Souq Waqif stables, where I was greeted with friendly Arabian-bred horses. They stared at me with the utmost concentration, as I did as well. Their eyes revealed stories that words themselves cannot adequately capture.
As I wander a bit further and wait for my meeting to begin, I find myself near water again, so peaceful and invigorating. The gaze of the Museum of Islamic Arts in the distance is beyond astonishing on the outside as it is within.
As I get up and head away from the harbour to head to dinner for my meeting, a cat darts for a fish, catching their dinner for the day... [Ethnographic Fieldwork Journal Entry #4, 2019]
The Souq Waqif contains stables with many friendly Arabian horses always greeting you with a smile!
The Museum of Islamic Arts is off in the background, while a cat hustles to grab a fish for dinner in the foreground
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