Qatar: An architect's playground

As architecture students, Qatar couldn't be a better classroom. On one side of the street you see American fast food chains and the other a Jean Nouvel tower. It's a great lesson in what to do and what not to do, I suppose. We got a fantastic tour of the city today before leaving for Kathmandu where I now type from. Our tour guide was quite proud to show us the palatial residential and commercial developments that they hope will drive in the masses. We also learned that they provide newly married couples with an interest free loan and $250,000 to start their family, so maybe we just might end up here with those masses.

 IM Pei's Museum of Islamic Art. Gorgeous collection and exhibitions. Animated tour guide included.

First stop: Qatar

And we're here! After a 12 hour flight we've arrived to sweltering heat here in Qatar. We weren't expecting to arrive to such familiar places:

 We enjoyed a beautiful dinner at the market, Souq Qaqif.

And now we're off to explore some other beauties today before our flight to Kathmandu later. See you soon!