An international family living and learning together overseas.
Preparing once again for another move, this time just a few floors up. Our new apartment will have a bit more space and hopefully we will be able to stay there several years.
In the meantime this little guy is having lots of fun!
-Mrs T
Little T is staying in touch with his Chinese roots!
We were lucky to find a Chinese woman, who ironically is from Tianjin, who makes and sells dumplings. We have a big bag in the freezer for whenever the craving hits. I have still yet to find the right vinegar, but for now we substituted some Vietnamese vinegar which is close enough. So glad our little guy enjoys them as much as we do, he even drank the cooking liquid!
-Mrs T
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.
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
-Mrs T
Turners Abroad 