A view of Souq Waqif at night. PIC by Joelyn Baluyut/The Peninsula
As the cold weather in the country still lingers, residents try to make the most of it, especially at night, after work, either by visiting and spending time at the traditional marketplace, Souq Waqif, or heading out for a weekend of winter camping.
The Peninsula visited Souq Waqif over the weekend in the late hours, and saw that people continued to arrive after 10pm till midnight. The majority of them enjoying a cup of tea or coffee and shisha while sitting and socialising outside at their preferred restaurant and café.
Christine from USA said she always looks forward to Qatar’s winter season. “I’ve been in the country for four years now, and I really enjoy winter, I and my husband come to this place at least twice a month and just enjoy the company of other people. The ambiance is different, amidst the cold weather, you feel the warmth of the people’s hospitality.”
Akbar and his two friends were also at the Souq on a Friday night. “We hang out during the weekend, sometimes at Souq, The Pearl-Qatar, or West Bay. We wanted to go outdoors instead of being couch potatoes, it’s nice walking during the night, either here at the Souq or in Musheireb Downtown which is both connected.”
According to Qatar Meteorology Department, until today, Thursday, the weather will be partly cloudy with a chance of light rain in the Northern areas and cold weather at night. Doha, Dukhan, Abu Samra, Al Ruwais, Messaied, and Al Khor will experience partly cloudy weather.
The next four weeks’ weather outlook or until February 2, indicated chances of rainfall activity in the country. “The daytime (maximum) temperatures are expected to be below normal in Qatar in the first week (Jan 6-12), and near normal to above normal in the following three weeks (Jan 13 - Feb 2). The weekly mean maximum temperatures are likely to be in the range of 20–25°c and with generally higher temperatures over the southern parts,” it explained.
The authority added: “The nighttime (minimum) temperatures are expected to be above normal to near normal in the next four weeks (Jan 6 - Feb 2). The weekly mean minimum temperatures are expected to be in the range of 15-20°c.”
Many residents are also trying winter camping. Arlene Ahmad said she had booked a private Sealine Camp to experience a new adventure this year. “I have booked a royal tent overlooking the sea, at night we’ll try the Arabian barbecue while watching the stars. I and my family wanted to reconnect with nature this year.”
Virginia Lazaro said she and her family had tried staying at the same place two years back. “This is a fun place to visit, and we had a wonderful stay. It’s like disconnecting from all these gadgets and electronic devices and being in the moment, experiencing nature.”
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) earlier announced that the Winter Camping Season phase two started in late December in the Southern region of the country – Sealine and Khor Al Udeid, and will run until May 20.
The first phase started on September last year and will run through April 1, which includes the Northern and Central regions.
