Doha, Qatar

The second trip of my sabbatical began not with a destination, but with a pause. Doha became the first stop on my way to Cape Town, a stop‑over made possible by Qatar Airways and one that offered exactly the kind of gentle reset you hope for between two long‑haul flights. I arrived with no rush, no agenda, just the curiosity to see what this desert city might reveal in a short span of time.

Some impressions came quickly. The Museum of Islamic Art rose from the waterfront like a geometric sculpture, its clean lines catching the light in a way that made the whole building feel both ancient and futuristic. Inside, the collection traced centuries of craftsmanship, pattern, and devotion, a quiet reminder of how art can travel across cultures long before people do. The souk, by contrast, was all movement and sound, a maze of spices, fabrics, and small surprises tucked into every corner. Wandering through it felt like stepping into a living tapestry.

Then there was West Bay, where modern skyscrapers curved and twisted into the sky, each one trying to outshine the next. The contrast between the old souk and this glass‑and‑steel skyline made the city feel like it was balancing two eras at once, each shaping the other in subtle ways.

Doha turned out to be the perfect stop‑over, especially if you want a break between long flights. It offered just enough to explore without demanding too much, a place where you could wander, rest, and reset before continuing your journey. For a brief moment, it became its own chapter, a calm breath before the horizon opened again.