Travel Preparations

COSTS: I am graduating this year, and will be pursuing a career in the finance industry. Five years from now i will be making salary from my full time job, which will be paying for this vacation.

CULTURE: English is the most common second language in Qatar. However if i wanna bargain in the shops I should brush up on my Arabic. 

Arabic 101:

Hello (welcome) - marhaba

Hello (peace be upon you) - assalamo alaykum

Good morning - sabah al khair

Good afternoon/evening - misaa al khair

Goodbye - ma’salaama

How are you? -  kaif halaak (m) / kaif haalik (f )

Please -  min fadlak

Thank you - shukran

Not at all - afwan

Yes - na’am

No - la

I want a taxi - ureed taxi

Right - yameen

Left  - yasar

Straight ahead - alatool

Let’s go - yalla

Finished - khallas

No problem - ma fi mushkila

SAFETY: The emergency number is 999. Qatar is a relatively safe place. Bring an emergency kit just in case.

WHAT TO BRING: Travel documents, lots of sun block, modest clothing and clothes that will keep me cool, camera with charger, my future blackberry with charger, maps and tourist pamphlets.