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mamaintransit

Good morning! If you ever wondered if Fox Hills is

Good morning! If you ever wondered if Fox Hills is worth moving into, check out this photo that hubby took from our bedroom window today early in the morning. 🤩
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I have no useful information to share here, this is just for your visual pleasure 😂
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Have a lovely day everyone! 💕
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#mamaintransit #thisisqatar #qatarliving #iloveqatar #expatinqatar #lifeinqatar #myqatar #lusail #lusailcity #lusailstadium #lusailfoxhills #qatarblogger #polishblogger #hotairballoon #viewfrommywindow #morninginqatar #foxhills #roadto2022

One of the questions I receive the most these days

One of the questions I receive the most these days is: “how do you find time for yourself?”, usually followed by “what do you do to stay sane”. 😅 I wrote a separate post about self-care some time ago, and I’m here now to give you actual examples of what I do to unwind alone. I hope you find it useful, because most of those activities require zero financial investment and fit well even in busy schedules of working moms! 😁
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JOANNA RELAXES…
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🌟 In the library. Obviously 😂 QNL is my no. 1 place to go if I need some quiet time. Before the pandemic I used to sit down and read, now not so much because I hate having my mask on all the time 🙈 Still, browsing (and borrowing!) books tops my self-care list.
🌟 In a cafe with a book… during lunch break! This is how I sneak in some self-care on a busy work day! Spending lunch break reading and enjoying an undisturbed cup of coffee feels just great.
🌟 Strolling around Thakira seaside. Ok, it does take some time and effort to get there, so you’ll need a free afternoon. But maaaan, I love that place! It’s usually calm and quiet, perfect to recharge after a long busy week.
🌟 Having a quick sunset run in the neighborhood. I’m not an avid runner. And I believe there’s a fine line between a pleasurable jog and the can’t-catch-my-breath-what-am-I-doing-here kind of run 😂 2-3km is optimal for me, short and sweet, and the post-run energy is priceless!
🌟Having a meal someplace I wouldn’t eat in normal circumstances 😅 In my case it might be a vegan burger in Evergreen, for you it could be something completely different!
🌟 Visiting an exhibition. Ladies, if you haven’t yet seen the Dior one in Msheireb Downtown, you gotta go! That was one of my self-care highlights of 2021 and I would recommend it to everyone, fashion-conscious or not (like me 😁).
🌟 Having a stroll on Lusail Promenade early in the morning. The air is fresh, the sea is calming, AND you can grab a cup of coffee on the way! I might be abusing this self-care activity these days 😂
🌟 Surrounded by greenery, Katara Hills is my favorite. I will always find a semi-hidden patch of grass to sit down and pretend I’m on vacation in Poland 😂

Doha International Book Fair - is it worth visitin

Doha International Book Fair - is it worth visiting? What are the must-knows and highlights? 📚
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If you know me, you know I’m an avid reader. So when I heard that this year’s book fair did not get cancelled, I got really excited! I grabbed my reluctant non-reader husband and off I went, to explore 😎
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Did I like it? I really did. Would I recommend it to everyone? Not necessarily! If you love books, you’re in for a treat. However, if you attend events mostly for the entertainment- you won’t find much of that here, and most of it will be in Arabic. Still undecided? Keep reading ⬇️😁
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USEFUL INFO:
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📚 This event will last until 22nd of Jan so you still have plenty of time to visit!
📚 Entry is free, but a pre-registration online is required.
📚 Unfortunately the fair is not open to small children. To enter you have to be at least 12 years old, and fully vaccinated.
📚 Most books at the fair are in Arabic. The biggest selection of English books can be found in section H1.
📚 Majority of sellers will only accept cash payments, so make sure you have cash on you (I saw an ATM at the venue but there was a long line to use it!).
📚 Apart from books you can also purchase toys and educational materials for kids. There are also many resources for parents of bilingual (English/Arabic) kids!
📚 Best priced English books which I found: the US Embassy booth, STM Trade Marketing (booth no H1-27), SmartBook (booth no H1-30).
📚 You may find the same book priced differently across the stalls, so if you’re not satisfied with the price you were quoted, you can always look around a bit for the best deal.
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Happy browsing! 😁📖

Since I posted about Legtaifiya park, I’ve been

Since I posted about Legtaifiya park, I’ve been receiving many questions about our favorite playgrounds in Qatar. To be perfectly honest, my kids think that all playgrounds are great (also, their definition of a “playground” is broad enough to include places that were not meant to be treated as such 😂🙈). For example, our kitchen is Alexander’s favorite playground, but I’m not going to recommend that you visit it 😅
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I took matters in my own adult hands and listed four places where we like to take our kids and let them run wild (so they sleep better at night 😎). Here they are, in no particular order.
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🔹AL BIDDA PARK
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There is this one specific playground in Al Bidda Park which we like. It’s located opposite the Ministry of Interior. For us it’s super convenient because of the parking nearby, bathroom facilities and the fact that it’s suitable for all ages and not too crowded on weekend mornings!
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🔹 AL KHOR FAMILY PARK
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Maaaan, that playground is HUGE! Possibly the biggest in Qatar (I’m not 100% sure though). It’s also fully shaded, which is a major advantage. The two downsides are: distance from Doha and the fact that entrance to the park is paid.
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🔹 CRESCENT PARK
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We love this playground because it’s different than most of the others! Made in big part from wood, featuring so many interesting things for the kids to discover (to list some: there’s a giant crab, a fort, and a ginormous sandpit). It’s in Lusail, so a great option if you moved there with your family.
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🔹LEGTAIFIYA PARK
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I think my previous post made it clear that we love it there! The playground is not very crowded, features a trampoline (a huge win with all my kids!), is inclusive and there’s an in-ground fountain right next to it (it works in the summer).
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Is your favorite playground on the list? Which one would you recommend? 😊
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#mamaintransit #expatlife #expatinqatar #playgrounds #qatarplaygrounds #momof3 #myqatar #qatarlife #qatarwithkids #qatarbloggers #qatarmom

I was so surprised when I made a poll on my storie

I was so surprised when I made a poll on my stories and it turned out that most of you didn’t know about Legtaifiya Family Park! So I decided to collect all information and photos here, in case you’re looking for a new place to take your kids!
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Legtaifiya Park is located in Westbay Lagoon, and is adjacent to the Westbay Lagoon campus of Newton International School (fun fact: it’s also a short walk away from the embassy of Poland 😁). It’s one of the many small “family parks” located around Doha, but for us it’s the coolest of them all!
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Here is why:
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🔹 It has one of our favorite playgrounds in Qatar! Suitable for all ages (even the “big kids” will enjoy it!), shaded and huge! It usually doesn’t get too crowded.
🔹 It’s also worth mentioning that this park features the region’s first inclusive playground, with certain equipment adjusted to children in wheelchairs!
🔹 Nearby the playground there is an in-ground fountain. It was off last time we went, but when it’s on the kids loooove it (make sure to take anti-slippery shoes!).
🔹 A jogging track circles the park, with exercise equipment available as well.
🔹 There’s also a basketball court and a football pitch, available to use with prior reservation.
🔹 Plenty of grassy areas near the playground allow parents to relax while still keeping an eye on their kids.
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What you need to know?
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✔️ Entrance to this park is FREE, and even though it is closed for the night, it opens super early in the morning.
✔️ There’s security at the entrance and adults need to show green Ehteraz to go inside (it’s also mandatory to wear face masks inside, unless exercising).
✔️ Per the park regulations, scooters are NOT allowed inside, even though we saw many kids riding them (“big” bikes are not allowed either).
✔️ There are public bathrooms in the park, but they’re located in a far corner quite a walk away from the playgrounds 😅
✔️ There are plenty of electric scooters and rental bikes available right outside the main gate in case you came without a car 😁
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I hope you liked this summary! What are other Family parks in Doha that you enjoy? 🌳

Lusail Tram is finally open! Partially, but that d

Lusail Tram is finally open! Partially, but that definitely gives us hope that the rest of the routes will follow shortly. I went to have a ride today morning and loved the experience!
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Below are the some important things you need to know before embarking on the journey:
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🚊 Currently there are only 6 stations operational on the Orange Line. Tram runs from Legtaifiya Metro station to Energy City South in Lusail. This means that it crosses Lusail Marina, so it’s perfect if you plan to visit the Promenade or the outdoor Food Arena!
🚊 The part that’s open at the moment runs fully underground- don’t be fooled by the photos that circulate online; you won’t be having any views 😂
🚊 Each ride costs 2 QAR and you should use your metro card to pay for rides. Note that if you come to the tram from the Metro, you won’t be charged extra (the tram trip will count as a part of your metro ride!).
🚊 Unlike in the metro stations, there are no gates for the tram. You should tap your card inside the carriage after you enter and before you exit (check out the video which I posted).
🚊 If you’d like to take a tram to the Lusail Food Arena, hop off on the Yacht Club station- it’s right next to it!
🚊 Tram stations have similar facilities to Metro stations- you will find washrooms, prayer rooms, travel card kiosks, information points etc.
🚊 Trams are definitely family friendly- there are elevators to the platforms, separate baby changing rooms and plenty of space for strollers inside the carriages.
🚊 My husband would like to add that he’s really impressed by the USB slots available in the carriages 😂
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Have you taken a ride on the tram already? What are your thoughts? 😊

Craving a coffee in Lusail before 8am? We do too!

Craving a coffee in Lusail before 8am? We do too! 😁
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There’s more and more information out there about cafes in Lusail, but as someone who starts work at 8am I needed to know specifically where can I get my coffee very early in the morning.
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So I did some research with help from my very eager husband and came up with a list of 5 cafes around the Lusail Marina Promenade which will serve you a cup of goodness before 8!
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I hope it’s useful!
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☕️ The 86 Cafe - this cafe is located in the Lusail Food Arena and servers a decent, strong coffee perfect to wake you up early in the morning!
☕️ One Coffee - this one is right next to The 86 cafe and is stands out because of its extremely cute interior. Coffee tastes pretty average, but I’ve had much worse in other outlets 😉
☕️ Addiction Coffee - google says it opens at 8, but we found it open right after 7! It’s also located in the Food Arena. Coffee isn’t great unfortunately, but it’s not too expensive either. Drug references on their cups weirded me out.
☕️ The Ministry of Coffee - this one is located on the South side of the promenade (close to Tea Time) and has a gorgeous outdoor seating area! Their coffee, however, is the most expensive of all which we tasted and even though it’s good, it doesn’t in my opinion justify the price.
☕️ LAP (La Princesse) Coffee - this is a real hidden gem for us. By far the least expensive coffee we found in the area (paid 32qar for latte and double espresso), tasted really good and the interior was really cute! This cafe is located on the promenade, close to the “I ❤️ Lusail” sign. It opens super early too! I went for a run before 6am once and saw it already open 😱🤩
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There will be an extended version of this post coming to my blog soon, with more details included!
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Feel free to share this with someone who lives in Lusail and likes to grab their coffee on the way to work!
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#mamaintransit #lusail #lusailcity #lusailmarina #lusailmarinapromenade #coffeeinqatar #cafesinqatar #expatlife #qatarblogger #myqatar #iloveqatar #qatarliving #polkanapustyni #polkanaemigracji #polishblogger

Today during our morning walk I discovered that th

Today during our morning walk I discovered that the barriers around Place Vendome project have been removed and the majestic building is accessible from the road side! Obviously you still can’t go inside, but if you’re curious (like me 😂), you’re free to pass by and take a peek 😎
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The project is almost done now, but how much do you actually know about it?
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Here are some facts that I managed to dig out:
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✔️We already know the opening date of Place Vendome 😎 And it’s quite a unique one: 02.02.2022!
✔️The project will not only feature a mall with 580 retail outlets - it will also include two 5* hotels and a serviced apartments complex.
✔️The name “Place Vendome” derives from a square in Paris, which is a starting point of a high-end shopping street (Rue de la Paix).
✔️Do you like the artificial canal in Villaggio? Place Vendome will also feature a canal, except it will run around the premises and out into the sea on both sides! Can’t wait to see how they managed to achieve that 🤩
✔️There will also be a dancing fountain, a massive cinema complex and an amusement park.
✔️I read somewhere that the site will be reachable by water taxis too, but not sure when this will actually be introduced 😉
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With less than 2 months until the scheduled opening date, I’m pretty excited to have this beauty so close to where I live 😊
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#mamaintransit #expatinqatar #lusailcity #lusailmarina #lifeinlusail #placevendome #placevendomeqatar #myqatar #qatarblogger #polishblogger #polkanaemigracji

The Qur’anic Botanic Garden - a wonderful space

The Qur’anic Botanic Garden - a wonderful space within the Education City that exhibits and conserves the plants mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, as well as the native flora in Qatar.
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We stumbled upon it when we went to check out the majestic Education City Mosque and couldn’t get enough!
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The Garden is divided into eight circle-shaped zones, and features a small interactive Botanical Museum, a fountain, a playground, and various nooks and paths, benches and even sun beds 😀
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We found it to be an extremely peaceful and relaxing place (maybe because we came without kids 🙈). You could go around and learn about the 60 species of plants that grow there, or simply sit back and chill 😁.
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Kids will love the fountain (it’s the walk-in type!) and the playground which is not big, but very interesting!
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USEFUL INFO:
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🔹Big parking is available nearby, next to the Education City Mosque.
🔹The place looks wonderful during sunset!
🔹I saw kids on scooters and bikes, so it seems they are allowed 😁
🔹The Garden is connected to Oxygen Park and a short walk away from Qatar National Library, so that’s your afternoon planned 😎
🔹Education City tram station is right next to it.
🔹I was told that there are no bathroom facilities in this park itself, so take this into consideration! There are toilets at the Oxygen Park and at the Mosque.
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#mamaintransit #qatarexpat #educationcityqatar #quranicbotanicgarden #myqatar #mydoha #qatarblogger #polishblogger #polkanaemigracji #polkanapustyni

Hey! Have you heard of the brand new park in Ghara

Stadium 974 - some fun facts for you! . When hubby

Stadium 974 - some fun facts for you!
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When hubby told me he got us tickets to the Arab Cup semi-final, I was pretty excited. But what excited me even more was that they scheduled this match at the new Stadium 974, a place which I REALLY wanted to see up close, but never had a chance to. I can assure you that photos don’t do this stadium justice and it’s definitely worth the drive (or a metro ride!) all the way to Ras Abu Aboud.
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Here are some interesting facts about the venue!
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⚽️ Stadium 974 is the first fully demountable stadium in FIFA World Cup history. After next year’s tournament they will pull it apart and reuse the bits and pieces in other projects! How cool is that? 🤩
⚽️ Most people think that this stadium’s name derives from Qatar’s international dialing code, but there’s more! It also indicates the exact number of shipping containers used for the project. 974 CONTAINERS- let that sink in (no pun intended 😅).
⚽️ Capacity of Stadium 974 is 40,000, which is the average capacity of Qatar’s World Cup stadiums. The exceptions are Al Bayt Stadium with over 60,000 capacity, and Lusail Stadium with 80,000! 😱
⚽️ Once the World Cup is finished, the stadium will be dismantled and will make way for a family oriented waterfront development. I’m already sad to see it go 😅
⚽️ This stadium is located within a walking distance from Ras Abu Aboud metro station (first station on the Gold Line).
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Have you visited 974 Stadium? What is your favorite Arab Cup / World Cup venue? 🎉
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#mamaintransit #qatarexpat #iloveqatar #qatarliving #visitqatar #qatar2022 #stadium974 #arabcup2021 #tunisiafootball #myqatar #roadtoworldcup #qatarblogger #instaqatar #instadoha #dohabynight #footballfans #polkanapustyni #polkanaobczyznie #polkanaemigracji

Adam’s birthday party at the Angry Birds World.

Adam’s birthday party at the Angry Birds World.
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Before I begin, a small disclaimer: this is not a sponsored post, I paid for the party and for the cake. In general, I am trying to be very transparent with all kinds of collaborations and will always mention it upfront.
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So, Adam turned 7 yesterday! Not so long ago, he attended a birthday party of his classmate in ABW and he really enjoyed it (if you remember, I had this funny experience there when they didn’t want to let me collect him because I didn’t have a stamp, and they didn’t want to give me a stamp because my husband got one earlier on 😂). He asked us to dish out and throw him a party there too. We agreed, mostly because last year we had a 7 day old baby at home on his birthday and the only way he could celebrate was decorating a Christmas tree 🎄🙈
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We chose a package that included 20 guests. Good thing about the arrangements is that they are very flexible and you can pick and choose what add-one you’d like to have on top of your package. If you go for it, definitely add a Mascot show - all kids went mad over it 😂😂
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The party itself lasted for 2h and it was located in a separate party room (outside of that room was an area for grownups to sit and enjoy coffee and a grownup chat 😁 Yes, they sell coffee inside ABW!). On Adam’s party, Parents could stay or drop the kids and leave- it was up to them. There were animators and a DJ, lovely people who handled a group of 20 seven-year-olds surprisingly well!
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Basically, the party went like this: animations -> mascot -> food -> cake. We were asked if we’d like modify this schedule, but it was fine for us.
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Once the party was done, kids were allowed “free play”: they could roam around the ABW and play as much as they wanted (I believe 2 attractions were excluded). Parents were sadly not allowed to enjoy the rides with the kids (unless our presence is required by the type of ride).
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ABW birthday packages start at around 1600 QAR, but the end price will depend on the package you choose and the add-ons. Remember that Weekends are more expensive! You will have to pay a down payment (we paid 50%) in advance, and the rest on the day of the party.

Ho ho ho! 😁🎄 . Have you decorated your place

Ho ho ho! 😁🎄
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Have you decorated your place for the Season yet or are you like me and waiting until the very last moment? 😅 (it’s not that I don’t want to, but I have NO TIME!).
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Today I’ll share with you a quick roundup of less obvious places to buy Christmas decor (sorry, IKEA 😂). Those are my favorite ones, and the full list will land on the blog soon!
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BUDGET FRIENDLY:
🎄Hema - guys, this place cruises under the Festive radar and I want to give it the well-deserved recognition. I love Hema’s decor! There’s wide variety of options plus things I haven’t seen anywhere else (themed toothpicks anyone? 😁). A lot of stuff costs 30qar or less 😊
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MID-RANGE:
🎄Naaz Store - you’ve probably seen it on my stories recently! Naaz is the only freestanding shop in Doha dedicated fully to Christmas decor. It’s not very cheap, but prices are reasonable and it has probably the biggest choice of Festive things in Qatar 😁
🎄H&M Home - I wouldn’t even know they carry Festive decor, I walked in looking for something else and bam! So many nice things to browse 😊 I particularly liked their choice of pillow cases!
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HIGH-END:
🎄Pottery Barn - in my opinion the most beautiful Christmas decor in Qatar. Yes, some things are pricey (think 200qar for a set of 4 mugs or 100+qar for a cushion), but they are also super classy and high quality.
🎄West Elm - another classy-yet-expensive place. What makes it stand out is that they try to step away from the usual Christmassy flashy reds and greens and focus on silver and gold instead. Also, check out their snow globes, they’re super cute!
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I’ve tagged each of the shops on the photos. The convenient thing is that you can find all of them (except Naaz) in Doha Festival City! Happy shopping! 🎄🎅
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#mamaintransit #qatarexpat #christmasinqatar #iloveqatar #qatarliving #winterinqatar #christmasdecor

GIVEAWAY TIME!!! I’m super excited to announce m

GIVEAWAY TIME!!! I’m super excited to announce my very first instagram giveaway! If you still didn’t get Christmas gifts for your kids, or their birthday is coming soon - this one is for you! 😁
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We’ve teamed up with the amazing online toy store @yallatoys.online and now one lucky person will get a chance to win a 300 QAR voucher from Yallatoys!
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Here’s what you need to do to participate:
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1. Follow @mamaintransit and @yallatoys.online ,
2. Share this post (don’t forget to tag us!),
3. Tag 5 friends in the comments below.

The winner will be announced on 11th of December! 😊
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WAAAIT, THERE IS MORE!
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I also have a promo code for you 😎 10% off your Yallatoys purchases! Shop at Yallatoys.com (or via their mobile app) and use MIT10 at checkout to avail the discount 😊 (to use the code please make sure you are registered on the app/website! It’s not applicable on promotional items).
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#mamaintransit #yallatoys #qatargiveaway

Flowers flowers everywhere! Have you been to the F

Flowers flowers everywhere! Have you been to the Flower Festival at Souq Waqif yet? If you haven’t, and you’re hesitating, read on! An honest review below 😁
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WHAT WE LIKED?
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🔺The choice! If you’ve been thinking of buying plants - definitely go! There’s a huge choice of both outdoor and indoor plants, as well as pots and decor. You can find Doha’s biggest plant shops represented there (including the famous Floranza).
🔺The prices. We were afraid that they’ll overcharge us, but they didn’t. Plants are mostly reasonably priced, starting from 1 QAR for the small seasonal outdoor flowers.
🔺The location. It’s in front of the Souq, where the Dates Festival was. Close to the metro station so you don’t need to worry about parking.
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WEAK POINTS?
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🔻The attitude of some sellers. They were extremely difficult to approach, purposely ignored us (looking for clients that would buy more I guess 🤦‍♀️) and in one case tried to scam us (two guys working in the same shop gave us different price for the same plant 😅). Be wary of that if you go.
🔻There’s no entertainment (at least not in the morning), you go there only to look at the plants or to buy plants 😀
🔻You can’t pay with card so if you didn’t take any cash, you’re in for an extra walk to the nearest ATM! Not a big deal for us, but I heard people getting upset over this 😅
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BASIC INFO:
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✔️Sat-Thu: 9am - 9pm, Fri: 1pm - 10pm
✔️Free entrance (you gotta show Ehteraz)
✔️Festival will last until 11th of December
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#mamaintransit #expatlife #qatarexpat #souqwaqif #flowerfestival #iloveqatar #qatarliving #myqatar #qatarevents

Qatar International Food Festival 2021. One of the

Qatar International Food Festival 2021. One of the few events I was really looking forward to this year! So much, in fact, that I broke all my iron rules and went there on a weekend and with all the kids in tow 😂 (this mother of the year prefers to explore events by herself 🙈).
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Was it worth it? What did we like and what not so much?
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THE GOOD
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🔺The food, duhhh! It seems that there is much more choice than in the past. I saw Pizza Box *cough cough*. 😁 I’m sure everyone can find something they like.
🔺The way the food is placed 😂 The organizers very smartly created many small “food courts”, grouping similar types of food together (coffee & dessert food area became our second home today 😁).
🔺The seating options. They’re so cool and there’s such a big variety! High tables, low tables, sofas, colorful stools… You name it! With fairy lights hung above the seating areas, it looks magical!
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THE NOT-SO-GOOD
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🔻The venue is not very stroller friendly! I really struggled and Alex was in for a bumpy ride, for a couple of reasons. First of all, each path is crossed gazillion times with those annoying plastic humps hiding cables. And there are so many cables that they usually place 3 stinky humps next to each other. Such a pain to drive over them! Second thing is that the “food courts” are placed on the grass and often there’s no hard path leading to the booths (+10 for the vibe, +20 for mom’s biceps 😅). If you have a baby sling or a carrier - take it!
🔻The FLIES!!! They made the first 2h of our stay really miserable. There were so many of them even in places without any food, and the situation got better only after the sun went down.
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Overall we liked the experience and definitely need to return, this time without kids, to stuff our faces without distractions 😎
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INFO:
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Opens at 3pm.
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Location of the Al Bidda section: close the Metro Station.
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Parking: paid, underground parkings are available, the most convenient one has the entrance next to the Metro.

Crescent Park - one of the reasons why Fox Hills i

Crescent Park - one of the reasons why Fox Hills in Lusail is such a good place for families 😊
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It’s our go-to place if we feel adventurous and decide to make an unplanned trip to a park/playground (that’s what “adventurous” means for parents of 3 😂). Crescent Park is located in Fox Hills South, only a 5min drive away from where we live, and it doesn’t get too crowded during the day.
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If you’ve never been and wonder if it’s worth the drive - in my opinion YES! 🤩
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This park not only has one of the most unique playgrounds in Qatar (check out the photos of the giant crab 😅), but you can also enjoy football & basketball pitches as well as a huge fountain and a viewpoint.
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If you’re bored of the playground, check out the maze made out of hedges which is located right next to it!
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Fun fact: construction works around are still ongoing, but we already know that once everything is finished, it will be possible to walk between Crescent Park and Fox Hills Residents park which I showed you before 🤩
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Crescent Park is open on weekdays from 7am till 11pm and on weekend from 7am till midnight!
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#mamaintransit #expatlife #expatinqatar #expatfamily #myqatar #iloveqatar #parksinqatar #lusailcity #lusailfoxhills #crescentpark #lifeinlusail #qatarblogger #qatarwithkids #winterinthedesert #polskamama #polishblogger #polkanaemigracji #polkanaobczyznie

Let’s talk breakfast! It’s weekend so we had o

Let’s talk breakfast! It’s weekend so we had our usual one in Ikea. And although the food is not that great there, we like it because it’s available immediately, which cuts the time spent at the table with three hungry kids 😂
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Also, it’s cheap. Raise your hand if you’re annoyed by how pricey your meals are in Qatar! Sadly, in many cases getting quality food equals having to settle an unreasonably high bill. We love eating out and did it a lot before I started working. Having a limited budget meant that we had to go an extra mile to find places that won’t break the bank. There’s a whole list of them coming soon on my blog, but before that happens, I’d like to introduce you to three which we really enjoy:
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NANDO’S
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All their breakfast dishes are not only incredibly yummy, but also quite original (at least I don’t know another place serving South African sausages). If you order any of them, you have an option to add coffee for 9 QAR. I wouldn’t call it “dirt cheap”, but it’s way cheaper than most well-known breakfast spots in Doha, with superior food quality.
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AL SHAMI HOME
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I bet most of you don’t even know the place! I only know it because it has a branch next to my office. We’ve stumbled upon their breakfast offer completely by accident, aiming for lunch but arriving too early. They have amazing spreads of Arabic breakfast. For 70 QAR for TWO people, you’re getting: eggs, falafel, manakeesh, halloumi, fresh veggies, labneh, zaatar, jams, bread, and tea (possibly more, it's difficult to remember everything!).
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PAUL
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My list wouldn’t be complete without this classic 😎 Their stand-alone breakfast dishes are on the expensive side, but breakfast combos are a great deal! The cheapest one costs a bit over 30 QAR and features a hot beverage of your choice, half baguette with jams and butter and a choice of pastry (trust me, take the almond croissant!).
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What’s your favorite breakfast that won’t break the bank? We’re always looking for new ones to try!
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#mamaintransit #expatlife #expatinqatar #desertlife #myqatar #iloveqatar #qatarblogger #qatarfoodie #polkanaemigracji

Katara Hills! Is it worth a visit with kids?
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I’ve been getting many questions about this place whenever I post anything on my stories. It seems to be one of the lesser known parks in Doha, even though it’s absolutely amazing!
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Katara Hills is located on two man-made hills which surround Katara Cultural Village. Both sides combined together create one of the largest parks in Doha!
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We love it because it’s so green, hilly and tranquil. Also, views are amaaaazing. Kids run wild on the grass and collect fallen leaves from the many trees growing there (or eat them, depending on their mood 😂).
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A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
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🔹Katara Hills South is a perfect picnic area with large patches of grass and plenty of shade from the trees. Picnics are allowed, BUT we were told by security that bringing in chairs and tables is not allowed (classic blanket on the grass will have to do 😉).
🔹If you’re here for the views, Katara Hills North is a better place to go. If you climb all the way to the Bayt El Talleh restaurant, you will enjoy an unobstructed view of Katara, West Bay and the sea.
🔹 There’s a parking on top of Katara Hills South that not many people know about (it’s gated but security will let you in, unless there’s an event going on). It’s a good solution if you’re coming with a stroller and don’t feel like pushing it all the way up hill!
🔹There no lights installed in the park itself (apart from spot lights next to the path & around the trees), so your late afternoon/evening trip can be cut short!
🔹If you want to see the man-made river but you’re not sure where it’s located, look up the “Bayt El Talleh” restaurant on google maps and then just follow the crowd 😂
🔹If you fancy a snack while you’re there but don’t want to spend a fortune (it’s Katara in the end…), head to the Tasty Street outdoor food court! Note though that most outlets there open at 4pm.
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Have you visited Katara Hills? Did you like it as much as we did? 😀
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#mamaintransit #qatarexpat #expatinqatar #qatarfamily #qatarwithkids #katara #katarahills #myqatar #parksinqatar #iloveqatar #polskamama #polishblogger #qatarblogger

So I'm officially going through a honeymoon phase

So I'm officially going through a honeymoon phase with my new job. Everything is perfect, people are amazing, workload is manageable and coffee tastes great. I expect this to last for, approximately, another week 😜
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In all this excitement, I completely forgot to post about our weekend experience in Al Khor park, which I briefly mentioned in my stories. Read on if you're interested in what this particular park has to offer!⠀
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Al Khor Park is located around 30min drive away from Lusail (and a bit further from Doha 😎). It's open all week long, from 8am until 10pm (note though that on Tuesdays only women & children can enter!).⠀
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There's an entry fee to this particular park - adults & kids above 10 years old pay 15 QAR, while younger children pay 10 QAR. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but also in some Al Meera branches.⠀
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WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?⠀
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🔼 It's very spacious, so even if there are many people inside it doesn't seem too crowded.⠀
🔼 The playground is amaaaaazing! There are actually 2 playgrounds, next to each other. Both are shaded and huge, suitable for kids of all ages, as long as they're able to stand or walk (my 10 month old enjoyed himself as much as my 6 year old!).⠀
🔼 The mini zoo can be a major selling point to some (although we're not big fans of wild animals being locked up).⠀
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WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES?⠀
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🔼 When we came there on Saturday morning, we found no food kiosks open, and the train didn't work.⠀
🔼 There's hardly any airflow under the shades on playgrounds, so expect to sweat a lot!⠀
🔼 Animals equal flies. If you're planning a picnic, try to look for a spot as far from the zoo as possible.⠀
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Overall we did enjoy ourselves, we'll definitely visit again once the weather gets better and we can stay longer on the playground without getting drenched in sweat 😁 ⠀
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#mamaintransit #expatlife #expatinqatar #qatarexpat #myqatar #iloveqatar #qatarliving #alkhorpark #alkhor #parksinqatar #polishblogger #polskamama #polkanaemigracji #qatarwithkids

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