September 2017 – Turners Abroad

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Maktaba

September 28, 2017October 8, 2017by turners07301 Comment

One of the children’s rooms, Little T came right in and made himself cosy.

I learned today Maktaba is Arabic for library, and I discovered this FANTASTIC place! I am honestly so excited I had to write about it straight away. Whenever I move to a new place finding the local library is one of the first things I do. Even more important now with a little one to keep busy and interested in reading. When I came across the name recently it sounded familiar and I remembered that over the summer term Mr T’s school had been doing a book drive for the library, but at the time I had no idea what the books were for.

So first visit today, and I am very impressed. The space is cosy, colourful and welcoming. Downstairs there is a toddler playroom with books, and two other rooms with children’s books and some toys. There is an art room for crafts and lessons for children and adults and a kitchen for eating with your children and making a hot drink. I just peeped through the window to see the garden out back, which planting will begin soon when it cools down a bit more. Upstairs there are books for older children and adults and quiet areas for reading.

children’s room

toddler sensory play area and books

looking out from toddler room to lobby and the help desk

art room

art room and windows looking out into garden

community kitchen

Septembers story time schedule

young adult book room upstairs, quiet reading area in the room next door

They offer story time everyday at 10:30 and 3:45 with activities following. Sunday is Toddlers Playgroup in Arabic, Monday is Toddler Movement or Food Adventures, Tuesday is Toddler Art , Wednesday is Sensory /Messy Play – and Thursday Toddler Garden Club. There are afternoon activities for school aged children as well. It looks as though they have a lot of ideas and want to do even more, this is just what I have learned so far.

There is an annual membership fee + a refundable deposit. It allows for 3 books to be checked out for two weeks, renewals can be made as well. Membership includes story times and activities, non-members pay for activities. It was a no-brainer for me as I know I will definitely be back and I felt so welcomed and comfortable there, we joined today! I am looking forward to lots of fun times ahead and hopefully a lovely community place to spend time and begin to feel a part of something here in Doha.

You can follow Maktaba on Facebook and Instagram

more info

-Mrs T

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Katara: International Hunting and Falcons Exibition

September 21, 2017September 21, 2017by turners0730Leave a Comment

We saw this event being set up when we visited Katara last week and thought it might be something interesting for Little T and I to do, and it was. Though we weren’t in the market for a falcon or any hunting gear there was plenty to look at and he found it really interesting. Upon arriving I was a bit worried it was not the place for us as it was just swarming with men. But, I bumped into several other mums with young children and I learned that there is an active home ed community here which I can look into being a part of.

At the exhibit there were of course plenty of falcons to see and also the Houbara (birds) which they hunt in the desert. We spent the most time watching a craftsman making leather falcon hoods. Little T was drawn in by the tools scattered on the floor but then it really held his interest. We sat for nearly 45 minutes and by the end he had a new friend.

Tasting some Arabic coffee

Having a closer look at the Falcon hood

A falcon hood on display

A very interested boy!

New friends

It was super busy there but so interesting and a good bit of local culture. The exhibition runs until September 24th from 10-4 each day. It is free to enter. More details here.

Looking at some birds

Little T was invited in to sit and try some dates

He wasn’t quite sure of the dates, or the smell of the falcons!

-Mrs T

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Our place

September 20, 2017September 20, 2017by turners0730Leave a Comment

We found out this week that we will be in our current flat for the whole school year. It is nice to know we will be staying and now we can start to make it a bit more homey. I am also glad we are staying as the pool is nice, the staff are super friendly and they are all so good with Little T. There is also weekly cleaning with new bed linens and towels, I can’t complain about that! We have already done a bit of rearranging so new pics coming soon. But this is how it started.

-Mrs T

Living area with dining area to the right

Kitchen

main bathroom

Modified room for Little T. We moved one single bed to be a couch and put the other mattress on the floor, with the base next to it. So far no rolling out of bed!

Little T’s room

master

balcony

and our lovely view of the marina

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