Using Prezi to announce the move to Doha...

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I used Prezi to announce that I would be moving to Doha, Qatar to work at an international school as an elementary school counselor. It's a fun and interactive way to share information and pictures. To watch the short Prezi I created for friends and family, click the picture to the left or follow this link. Feel free to ask additional questions, too!

You can also see the Prezi I made for the students at my past school in Portland, OR to share the news that I am moving. It is similar to the one above, but far more streamlined to reach students in grades K-5.
Below are some facts about Qatar, including traditional foods, animals, sites to see, and other general facts.

traditional foods

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find the recipe here: http://infoqat.com/attraction/food/78/Chicken-tagine-with-apricots-recipe
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recipe: http://myhomespunhaven.com/2012/06/28/qatar-maldives/
Important Qatari specialities include:
FOOD
  • Machbous, a stew of richly spiced rice with seafood, meat or both.
  • Hummus, a dip made from chickpeas and tahini.
  • Kebabs, grilled meat and vegetables on skewers, served on rice or in pita bread.
  • Showarma, lightly spiced grilled lamb or chicken served rolled in a pocket of Arabic bread with salad, pickles, lime juice and tahini.
  • Waraq enab, rice stuffed vine leaves.
  • Taboulleh, a cracked wheat dish  with parsley and mint.
  • Koussa mahshi, stuffed zucchinis.
  • Biriani, a spicy rice dish mixed with chicken or lamb.
  • Motabel, a paste made from lightly cooked aubergine mixed with garlic and tahini.
  • Ghuzi, a whole roast lamb on a bed of rice and nuts.
DESSERTS
  • Mehalabiya, a pistachio pudding with rose water.
  • Umm ali, a bread pudding with nuts and raisins. 
  • Esh asaraya a cheesecake with a cream sauce.
DRINKS
  • Arabian coffee, lightly roasted with cardamon and either sweetened or served with dates.
  • Qahwa helw, a sweet orange coffee with cardamon, saffron, and sugar.
  • Milkshakes and smoothies, made with herbs or fruits.

You should know... that Western and other international foods are widely available in Doha, as well! Fast food restaurants and hotels serve a variety of foods commonly found in the United States. You can find Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King, and McDonalds, though the food on the menu not be the same as you'd find in the US or the UK.

animals of Qatar

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desert monitor lizard playing dead; source: Shankar S. via Flikr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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oryx; photo credit: Sharon Mollerus via Flikr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Students had been asking, so I researched some of the animals found in Qatar. I found out that the oryx is a real animal (check out this video from the BBC!), and am now wishing I did not know about the desert monitor lizard- yikes! Of course, I will be living in a big, urban city so I will be less likely to run into these creatures (whew!)

Check out more in these articles & videos! 
I also discovered that some of the markets, or souqs, are dedicated solely to falconry. Falconry is a long standing tradition in Qatar, though it is becoming increasingly more difficult as the country continues to urbanize and prey becomes endangered or extinct. I learned that falcons can cost thousands of dollars and are even issued their own passports to keep them protected and safe! Learn more at: Falconry in Qatar.
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camels; photo credit: Lucia Sanchez via Flikr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Camels are widely recognized around the world as a symbol of the Middle East. They are still wild in some parts of the desert, but are becoming endangered as urban centers spread. In fact, I have not seen one in the entire time I have lived in Doha (three months). Camels were often used for transport and are now raced for sport. They can grow as tall as seven feet and weigh about 1600 pounds! You can see pictures and even hear the intense groan of a camel in the article, Qatar Camels! 

general facts from the CIA World Factbook

Click the CIA World Factbook link to see facts about current leaders, government, history, population statistics, geography, economy, culture, languages, religions, holidays, and more.

sites to see

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Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar; photo credit: Jan Smith via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
The Souq Waqif is an open air market that is styled after the traditional markets of the past. Watch the video below to learn more!
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Museum of Islamic Art, Doha; photo source: Jan Smith via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
The Museum of Islamic Art houses some of the greatest treasures of Islamic art in the world! Learn more in the video directly below.
PictureThe Pearl; photo credit: Chris Bothwell via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/)









The Pearl is an artificial island that has created space to build shopping centers, restaurants, and residential buildings. It is home to stores offering world-renowned luxury brands.