I cannot believe that today is our last day in Qatar. This has been the most phenomenal week, and I am so, so grateful to have had this opportunity. Thank you, Qatar Foundation International and UT-Austin for everything you have done to make this possible. Our first stop today was the Msheireb Museums, a collection of four houses (now museums) around which this neighborhood (including the hotel where we’re staying) was built. Each of the four houses cover a different topic: Company House (narratives of pioneering petroleum workers), Bin Jelmood House (the history of the global slave trade, especially in this region), Mohammed bin Jassim house (the past, present, and sustainable elements of the Msheireb district), and the Radwani House (a showcase of traditional Qatari family life). It’s all situated in such a picturesque place. We only had time to peruse two of the four houses — and went through them quickly because we were somewhat strapped for time. At the Company House, we learned a bit more about the pearl-diving industry and a lot more about the oil industry. “It’s a complex story of a nation that managed with instinctive foresight to protect its resources from the self-interest of the world’s great economic powers. It is also a straightforward story of a small country that lifted itself from poverty through the hard work, perseverance, and courage of ordinary men.” Today, two-thirds of the world’s oil is from the Gulf region. Next, we went to the Bin Jelmood House, which “exists to promote reflection and conversation on important truths about historical slavers in Qatar and the critical issue of slavery around the world.” I wish we had had more time in this museum because there was so much to learn. Throughout the exhibits, I spent a lot of time thinking about modern slavery in the United States as well as the issues in Qatar that the World Cup brought to life. So much to think about — and even more to do. After Msheireb, we headed to the Al Jazeera experience, where we learned about the massive media outlet. Al Jazeera translates to “island” or “peninsula,” and the name signifies that it’s “an island of independent journalism” in a region that has not been known for media freedom. Its slogan is “the opinion and the other opinion,” meaning that they strive to offer multiple perspectives, in turn ensuring a more comprehensive picture. I also learned that Al Jazeera has a couple of podcasts as well as a youth-oriented channel, AJ+, that creates short-form storytelling content and focuses on marginalized communities. Teacher friends, this is available via YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The area outside of the Al Jazeera Experience -- which is housed in a former firehouse -- was beautiful, and I spent a bit of time walking around the park across the street and admiring the skyline as well as checking out the street art in the courtyard. I also hung out with the sweetest street cat, whom I named Mitzi. I wish I could've figured out how to bring her home with me. I mean, she was filthy and probably flea-infested, but I love her. Also, I have gone through almost an entire bottle of hand sanitizer, mainly due to the number of street cats I've touched. Next, we went to the 3-2-1 Qatar and Olympic Sport Museum, which is next to Khalifa Stadium and houses everything sports-related — from past to present. First, I walked through a cool World Cup exhibit that featured the Victory Works collection by David Pflugi. These art pieces have been signed by the players of both teams participating in the World Cup final game from 1998-2022. I stole the following photos from my friend, Tyler, as I did not even notice all of these views -- the six photos below are from different angles of the same art piece. Next, I ventured to A Global History of Sport. I loved walking through the Olympic exhibit, as I have always LOVED everything Olympic-related. This particular section included torches, medals, mascots, and memorabilia from so many different Olympic Games. I also really loved the hall of athletes. There were display cases dedicated to some of the most powerful athletes of all time (as well as artifacts associated with them), some of which you can see here. I think my personal favorite was Mia Hamm, as she was a huge role model growing up. There were also interactive exhibits throughout the museum. At one point, Erik and I competed in a tree-climbing race by moving our arms at ridiculous speeds to reach the top. I think my favorite part of the museum overall, though, was its inclusivity. It showcased male and female athletes, it celebrated the Olympics and the Paralympics, it included sports from football to cricket to skateboarding to auto racing, and it incorporated athletes from countless countries. I really, really liked this museum. We also had lunch at the museum -- at Naua, a restaurant run by Michelin-starred chef, Tom Aikens. Y'all, this meal was unreal. The server explained to us that there aren't centerpieces on the tables because the food itself was the focal point -- and omg, he was not kidding. On our way to our next stop, our bus happened to pass the royal camels out for their afternoon stroll. So, it was basically just another normal day. Our next stop was the Persian Gulf, where we went for a dhow ride. A dhow is a traditional Qatari boat, originally used for pearl-diving, fishing, and transporting goods. Dhows are made out of wood and need to be removed from the water every three months for updates: for instance, cotton mixed with coconut oil is stuffed between the timbers to prevent leaking. Small dhows can be made in about three months, but larger ones take up to nine months, and believe it or not, they can last about 120 years. There are currently about 500 dhows lining the corniche in Doha, and they are absolutely beautiful, evoking a rich maritime heritage. Our dhow ride was incredible, and such a lovely experience together as we readied ourselves to say goodbye after the absolute best three-and-a-half years together. It was such a fun experience. After our dhow ride, it was time to head back to the hotel and freshen up for a super fancy dinner at Bayt El Talleh, a restaurant atop Katara Village and overlooking Doha. The food was good, and the views were incredible, but the best part of all was the company. The 20 of us have spent the last three-and-a-half years together. We supported each other through a global pandemic, we sent long-distance love as people shouldered deep losses, we navigated job changes, we traveled across the country (and now the world), and we laughed, laughed, laughed.
I am so grateful for this opportunity I was granted -- I have learned so much and, perhaps even more importantly, I have made some of my best friends. I will miss everyone so, so deeply.
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