www.thepeninsulaqatar.com
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
Things to do
this weekend
PAGES 2-3
PAGES 4-5WEEKEND EDITION
sigh-inducing natural beauty
ICELAND
@peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatarEmail: [email protected] thepeninsulaqatar
Tips to help you declutter your jewellery boxPAGE 9
EVENTSSome events mentioned here are for next week. We are giving you
headstart so that you book your tickets in advance.
02 FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
Organised by Georgian Arts and Culture Center (GACC), the exhibition introduces
Georgian culture to Qatar with a fusion of historical and contemporary objects on show.
Where: Katara Art Center Entrance 2When: Until January 30; 10am-10pmTicket: Free admission
Georgian
Living Heritage
Burst of Colours
Ten abstract paintings by young
Qatari artist Aisha Al Kaabi are
found at the ‘Burst of Colours”
retrospective at the Katara Art Studios.
Al Kaabi’s debut exhibition displays
a deep artistic sense revealed by the
choice of colours in creating the acrylic
paintings.
Where: Katara Art CenterWhen: Until January 31; 10am-10pmTicket: Free admission
Stilt walkers, street performers, circus, vari-ous workshops and cultural performances are just a few of the events taking place at
the Souq Waqif. The festival will continue until February 4 and there is something or the other lined up for every age group.
The Giant Fountain Circus Show, the main highlight of the festival, will have two shows, one at 4.30pm and another at 7.30pm near Al Bidda Hotel and Al Rayyan TV. There will also be work-shops at the Souq Waqif Art Centre, including spring flowers, ceramic and decoupage, mural line, water painting, reverse glass art, desert rose carving and an artists’ forum.
Concerts featuring renowned Arab singers are also presented by Al Rayyan Radio nightly at Al Hamam Square.
Where: Souq Waqif Date: Until February 4 Time: 4:30 to 9:30pm
Spring festival
at Souq Waqif
Scan to watch circus video
Doha Dash 2016
As a step to support the vision behind Qatar National Sport Day, Doha Dash will take place on February 9 at Losail International Circuit. With a combination of 10km, 5km, 3km and 1km ladies’
only walk, the event is expected to be a huge hit. And the last date to register for the event is February 2.
Venue: Losail International CircuitDate: Registration closes on February 2
Qatar Museums is presenting a retrospec-tive of the work of Luc Tuymans, the first solo show of the artist in the Gulf region.
The exhibition, Intolerance, a comprehensive survey of the artist’s work, will include a series of wall paintings and a new body of work, ‘The Arena’, created specifically for the show.
Where: Qatar Museums Gallery AlriwaqWhen: Until January 30Ticket: Free admission
Luc Tuymans: Intolerance
03
EVENTS
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND
Another weekend is here and seems like one of the most happening Friday and Saturday with a long list of events
scheduled to occur! Here’s a list of some of the interesting events happening in Doha this weekend.
Qatar Motor Show
The show brings together the leading international carmakers
to exhibit the top sports, luxury and mid-range automotive
models and branded lifestyle goods, showcasing the latest auto
models and performance trends.
This year’s event is host to more than 20 new automotive
models unseen to date in Qatar.
Exhibitors at this year’s Qatar Motor Show 2016 include Audi,
BMW, Bosch, Cadillac, Castrol, Chrysler, Continental, Dodge, Ducati,
Ferrari, Ford, GMC, Harley Davidson (NBK), Infinity, Jaguar, Jeep,
KTM, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Maxus, Mercedes Benz, Mini,
Mitsubishi, Nissan, Piaggio, Porsche, RAM, Renault, Rolls Royce,
Sand X, Titanium, Toyota, Triumph, VW and Ziebart.
Qatar’s first concept car conceptualised by Texas A&M at Qatar
graduate Abdulwahab Ziaullah was unveiled during the opening
ceremony.
Where: Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in West BayWhen: Unill February 1Ticket: Free; its good to pre-register at http://www.qatarmotorshow.gov.qa
Urban
Weavings
An exhibition present-
ed by the Mexican
embassy featuring
unique artworks by world
renowned Mexican artist
Paloma Torres.
The works were done in
the last two years inspired by
photographs she took of Mexico City valley packed with constructions.
Where: Katara Art Center Entrance 2When: Until January 31; 10am-10pmTicket: Free admission
Hamad Medical Corporation will conduct CPR demonstrations on Friday, January 29, on the Doha Corniche, the Wakra Corniche and Katara Cultural Village between 3pm and 6pm.
Similar events will also be held at City Center Mall, Landmark Mall, The Gate Mall and Gulf Mall between 3pm and 9pm. For the purpose more than 400 CPR mannequins will be used to help the public learn hands-only CPR, and 50 stations will be set up along the Doha Corniche to demonstrate and teach the technique.
Where: Doha Corniche, Wakra Corniche, KataraWhen: January 29, Friday; 3pm-6pm
CPR saves lives
RecordKatara is organising an exhibition by
Qatari artist Ali Dasmal Al Kuwari
Where: Building 22, Gallery 2, KataraWhen: Until January 31Ticket: Free admission
TRAVELQuirky Icelandic wit threads through all aspects of culture; like the new tourist offering, a guided tour called “Bankers Behind Bars,” which traces the causes and consequences of the banking system’s 2008 collapse.
04 FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
Dip into ICELAND
and stay for the warmth
By Mary Winston
The Washington Post
It had been a foolproof plan. To trans-
plant my Paris-based family for a
summer on the Chesapeake Bay,
where I grew up, we would meet
my mother “halfway” in Iceland and
enjoy the famous stopover that Icelandair
has marketed brilliantly over the past few
years. We’d then continue the voyage with
a doting grandmother to help entertain a
(possibly) unruly toddler. An added bonus:
The gradual adjustment to a new time
zone, since Iceland is two hours behind
France, making for an easier arrival on
the East Coast.
The 3.5-hour flight from Paris to Ice-
land was blissfully calm. Although adults
are not served complimentary meals, kids
are spoiled with colouring books, head-
phones and blankets that fold up neatly
into backpacks.
We stepped off the plane at 9am into
an airport that’s a showcase for sleek
Nordic design, where Mom was waiting.
We quickly learned that taxis to Reykja-
vik, a good hour’s drive away, could cost
upwards of 100 euros, so a rental car
made the most sense. But a line snaked
around the terminal from the rental car
kiosks. And patience was starting to wear
thin - thankfully, a smoothie made from
skyr (Icelandic yogurt) took the edge off
the kids’ hunger.
Salvation appeared in the form of an
Icelander named Heidar Mar, driving a
four-wheel-drive SUV. Mom had arrived
the day before, sleeping at a lovely lodg-
ing near the airport called the Hotel Berg.
Perched on the cliffs facing the fishing
harbor in Keflavik, the family-owned hotel
also arranges car rentals. On the phone,
Heidar Mar was a man of few words.
He would check on availability and call
us back. Instead, less than 10 minutes
later, he was waiting outside the terminal
with a smile. He raised an eyebrow at the
back-breaking weight of the luggage -
piled precariously on the trolley - and
without a word stacked it in the trunk
of his car, the stroller blocking the rear
view. “The car I had in mind might be too
small,” he said.
Temporarily without a car of our own,
we took off exploring the Hotel Berg’s
pretty environs. We climbed a hill to dis-
cover a magical mise-en-scène: a field of
purple lupine, brilliantly lit from rays of
sunlight that broke through the ominous
gray clouds. A lone path meandered to
the ocean’s edge. The girls broke into a
gleeful run. From this vantage point, we
spied giant footprints painted on a foot-
path that hugged the harbour, begging
to be explored. Drizzle tumbled from the
sky as we followed the footprints - each
toe the size of my daughter’s sneaker -
with slight trepidation. We watched a red
boat power out to sea, and three bulky
fishermen - clad in heavy, all-weather
gear - lifted their arms in a happy, spon-
taneous wave.
The footprints disappeared into a
black stone cave. As we ventured cau-
tiously inside, we heard a strange,
guttural rumbling that echoed off the
walls. “She’s snoring!” Jane cried, point-
ing at an enormous, wart-nosed troll
made out of papier-mâché. The giant
was only partially visible behind a make-
shift barricade, adding to the drama and
verisimilitude for the kids. Younger sister
Cecilia was more interested in the colour-
ful pacifiers that were strewn around the
cave. They were even found dangling like
ornaments from a tree.
The cave was empty but we noticed
benches where we could sit, contem-
plate our surroundings, and listen to the
soundtrack. And suddenly, “poot!”- as the
girls recounted hysterically throughout
the duration of our trip - the troll made
a rude noise in her sleep.
Giddy with laughter, we ran through
the rain back to the hotel where a white
jeep was waiting. Here was our introduc-
tion to Icelandic ingenuity. Not only had
Heidar Mar located a larger vehicle, but
he had also acquired child car seats -
calling all his friends and neighbours to
track them down.
Mom hadn’t driven a stick shift in
decades. But where else but the tiny
island nation of Iceland - with excellent
infrastructure and a population of just
323,000 - could be better to polish a
rusty skill? “It’s like riding a bike,” grinned
Heidar Mar. And just like that, we set off
in the rain, driving across the boulder-
strewn lava fields. Let the Icelandic
adventure begin.
When Iceland’s economy crashed
in 2008, and the krona took a nosedive
against the US dollar, an infamously ex-
pensive destination was suddenly put
into reach for the average traveller. Over
the past seven years, Iceland has success-
fully transformed an economic downturn
into a tourism boom with a savvy market-
ing campaign depicting the cinematic
landscapes - volcanoes, northern lights,
glaciers and waterfalls - that make Ice-
land a paradise of natural phenomena.
Icelandair advertises competitive airfares
to Europe, with a multi-day stopover in-
cluded at no additional cost. Plus, the
new Iceland-based Wow Air is upping
the ante with low fares. Today you won’t
find the bargain hotel and food prices
that were the norm after the financial
crisis, but Iceland continues to reign at
the top of travelers’ bucket lists.
Iceland’s appeal is multifaceted;
there’s a rocking nightlife, a dynamic arts
and music scene, sigh-inducing natural
beauty, and even the cuisine is making a
name for itself. For us, it was perfect for
family travel, providing excitement and
fun for three generations.
Beyond all this, it was the Icelanders
who won us over. I knew I’d fall for a
country where a Pirate Party politician
rapped a song in Parliament, where the
descendants of fierce Vikings vocalise
their beliefs in elves and trolls, and where
there are no surnames (last names com-
prise a father’s (or mother’s) first name
with the addition of -dottir (daughter)
or -son.
Quirky Icelandic wit threads through
all aspects of culture; we were amused
to learn about a new tourist offering,
a guided tour called “Bankers Behind
Bars,” which traces the causes and con-
sequences of the banking system’s 2008
collapse. (Yes, several officials actually
went to jail.) Magnus Sveinn Helgason,
who leads the walks, was quoted as
saying: “What could be more exciting
than the story of how a tiny country was
turned into a giant hedge fund, only to
blow up?”
An apartment rental with Reykjavi-
k4You was the most cost-effective way
to sleep a family of four in the city center.
Just a few steps away from a grocery
store, our two-bedroom apartment came
with a fully equipped kitchen, a parking
space and thoughtful amenities like a
Nokia cellphone for free calls.
05FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
Blue Lagoon - the geothermal spa pool that’s the country’s most famous attraction - is a must on the Iceland itinerary.
From here, we could stroll through Old Town to
Hallgrimskirkja, the landmark concrete church, or to
the waterfront to try the famous hot dogs, smothered
in fried onions, at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. Reykjavik can
be equated to a midsize American town, so it wasn’t
hard to find the Sundhollin public pool, designed in art
deco style. My girls love nothing more than swimming,
and Iceland is chock-full of swimming pools, many filled
with geothermally heated water.
While Cecilia took her afternoon nap in the apart-
ment, Grand Jane and Little Jane could enjoy a leisurely
lunch date: sandwiches at Mokka kaffi or delicious noo-
dle dishes at Nudluskalin, where outside they noticed
babies left sleeping in strollers to take in the fresh air
while their parents caffeinated inside. We observed
Iceland’s love of children not only in the wait staff’s
welcoming attitudes, but also in the giant trolls and
stuffed animals placed outside shops.
As the rain poured down, we were the first visitors
to Whales of Iceland when it opened in the morning.
Launched in late February of this year, the privately
owned museum is a vast warehouse space exhibiting
replicas of all the different species. Face to face with
a leviathan, hanging in the blue-tinged light, the girls
shrieked with delight. “We want to give visitors a feeling
of wonder, bestowing a personal connection to whales
and perhaps inspiring a desire to preserve whales in
their natural environment,” says Parker O’Halloran, an
American expat who works as a shift manager.
At Landnamssyningin (the Settlement Exhibition) -
built around the ruins of an original Viking longhouse
- Mom and I gleaned insights into the A.D. 874 settle-
ment, while the girls coloured at a designated children’s
table. We learned about the country’s rich literary tradi-
tion- peering at centuries-old manuscripts detailing the
“sagas” - and also about the Viking greed for timber.
(Iceland’s treeless landscape is not entirely due to natu-
ral causes, and today there is a big problem with erosion
caused by deforestation.)
Sagas could also be written about the glories of the
Icelandic road trip.
There aren’t any traffic jams or navigational hazards
in this underpopulated island nation; our borrowed
road map was of such poor quality, we relied on our
natural navigational compass instead. Sooner or later we
had found the Ishestar Riding Center, outside Reykjavik,
where Jane could ride a stocky Icelandic horse.
And with a rental car, we could explore at our own
pace. The most popular day trip is the Golden Circle
route, which encompasses three sites: geysers in the
geothermal valley of Haukadalur, the Gullfoss waterfall,
and Thingvellir National Park.
Why push the “must-sees” and risk the possible
meltdown after the 2-year-old’s skipped nap? Instead,
we chose one site and lingered. Thingvellir is a UNESCO
World Heritage site of captivating beauty. It’s here where
two tectonic plates converge. The resulting rift valley -
dotted with waterfalls and craggy cliffs - is where the
Vikings, in AD 930, held their first general assembly, the
world’s first democratically elected government body.
As we strolled the trails, I kept the girls on their best
behavior by warning of hungry trolls lurking off the path.
Across Iceland, bizarre rock formations are said to be
trolls frozen into stone when they ventured into daylight.
Later, I learned that Keflavik’s flatulent troll was in
fact a good guardian named Skessa. This being Iceland,
one of the world’s most tech-savvy countries, Skessa
the troll has her own Web site (www.skessan.is/forsida).
According to Olof Eiasdottir, owner of the Hotel Berg,
“the troll moved into the cave in 2008 as part of the
town’s annual ‘Night of the Lights’ festival. There’s no
reason to be scared; she makes an effort to be caring
and helpful!”
Iceland is rife with turbulent natural wonders: brood-
ing volcanoes, exploding geysers, shifting glaciers,
celestial lights dancing across the firmament. Faced
with this - not to mention extreme weather patterns
- is it any wonder that so many Icelanders believe in
Huldufolk, or hidden people, like elves and trolls? Who
can blame them for diverting road construction projects
out of “elf habitat”?
Geologically, Iceland is the youngest country on
Earth, still in the process of creation. Here, we could
witness the dramatic topography that’s fueled so many
dreamers and artists. As the girls slept in the back seat
of the car, we circled Thingvellir’s lake, the largest in
Iceland. There was no one on the road, and we noticed a
few solitary fishermen knee-deep in the water. We mar-
veled at the vast, treeless expanse over which volcanic
mountains loomed. Steam rose from the moss-covered
earth, and we passed a number of geothermal power
plants, such as Nesjavellir. Surrounding it: a moonscape
straight out of Tolkien’s fantasy world.
We did make it to the Blue Lagoon - the geothermal
spa pool that’s the country’s most famous attraction - a
requisite, if overcrowded, “must” on the Iceland itinerary.
Tickets were expensive (about $147 for two adults), but
the kids didn’t want to get out of the water. And so, by
the time we arrived at the Hotel Berg to return the car,
and the girls made one last trip to see Skessa, Heidar
Mar was forced to speed to the airport to make sure
we didn’t miss our flight. We joked that the car hadn’t
driven that fast in four days.
TRAVEL
WHERE TO STAYHotel Berg
Bakkavegur, 230 Keflavikwww.hotelberg.isA few minutes from the airport, a lovely family-owned hotel overlooking Keflavik harbor. From $205.
Reykjavik4You Apartments
Bergstadastraeti 12, 101 Reykjavikwww.reykjavik4you.comRental apartments in downtown Reykjavik with hotel-style services. Three nights in a two-bedroom apartment were about $1,135.
WHAT TO DOWhales of Iceland
Fiskislod 23, Reykjavíkwww.whalesoficeland.is/en/Open from 10am-5pm in the winter, 10am-6pm in the summer. Adults about $25, children under 7 free.
Thingvellir National Park
www.thingvellir.is/english.aspxA Unesco World Heritage site, this national park is a day trip from Reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon
240 Grindavikwww.bluelagoon.comNot too far from Keflavik International Airport, the
geothermal spa pool is the country’s most famous attraction. From $45.
WHERE TO EATBaejarins Beztu Pylsur
Tryggvatagata 1, 101 Reykjavíkwww.bbp.is/enThe name for this world-famous stand translates to “the best hot dog in town.” Dogs about $3.
Mokka kaffi
Skolavordustigur 3A, Reykjavíkwww.mokka.isThe city’s oldest coffee shop also serves delicious sandwiches.
INFORMATIONwww.visitreykjavik.is
If you go
The full-scale blue whale is the centerpiece of the col-
lection at the Whales of Iceland museum in Reykjavik.
Do you know what is celebrated on your birthday? And what’s the dot on top of i called?
06 FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
YOUNG EDITORS
By Abby McGanney
The Washington Post
Dancing HomeBy Alma Flor Ada and Gabriel M. ZubizarretaAges 8 to 12.
How would you like your cousin to move in with you? Every person is bound to have a different reaction.
Born in Texas and living with her parents in Northern California, Margie (short for Margarita) is not thrilled when her Mexican cousin, whom she hasn’t met, comes to stay with them.
The first problem is communication. Lupe speaks very little English, and Mar-gie speaks little Spanish. When Lupe is placed in Margie’s homeroom class, Margie is embarrassed because she has been trying hard to fit in as an American. Now two annoying boys are calling her “Maargaareetaa” again. Plus she can’t
help Lupe understand what the teacher is saying. At home, Margie feels left out of the warm conversations her parents have with Lupe in Spanish.
Although “Dancing Home” starts with Margie’s viewpoint, the story also gives Lupe’s perspective on the situa-tion. She had trouble leaving her family behind and now must adjust to a very different classroom environment. She misses her family and traditions in Mex-ico, and she wonders about her father, who left for the United States when she was little and hasn’t been heard from in a long time.
Over the course of the school year, both Margie and Lupe will be chal-lenged in many ways. Margie has to consider a new, larger definition of what it means to be an American. Lupe has to make a major decision when her fa-ther suddenly shows up. Can they find common ground at home, school and places in between?
California girl and Mexican cousin search for common ground in ‘Dancing Home’
Language Facts: Did you know?Have you heard of Monkey Day? Or No “L” Day? Here
are some interesting unofficial holidays observed
world over:
1. Backwards Day (January 31): Take a break from the rut and do everything backwards.
2. I Forgot Day (July 2): A day to take a bad memory and simply, FORGET IT.
3. Ask a Stupid Question Day (September 30): The name says it all, have no fear about asking anything today.
4. Monkey Day (December 14): A day to act like monkey, yet jumping on bed might be risky.
5. No “L” Day (December 25): Skip the letter “L” in every-thing you say or write on this day.
Interested in knowing what’s celebrated on your birthday? Mail us at [email protected] with “Funny and silly holiday” mentioned in the subject line.
According to Oxford Dictionary, bookkeeper is the only word
in English language without any hyphens with three consec-
utive repeated letter. Other such words like sweet-toothed
require a hyphen to be readable.
The dot on top of letter ‘i’ is called tittle.
The following sentence contains all 26 letters of the alpha-
bet: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
Funny and silly holidays!
bookkeeper
tittlethe quick brown
07
YOUNG EDITORS
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
It can be tricky at first to figure out what a Roman numeral stands for, but it gets easier with practice.
Did you ever want to write down a secret message so that only the recipient is able to read it? Well here’s your chance. Follow these simple tips and create your invisible ink:
Squeeze the juice of a half a lemon in to a bowl. To this add a few drops of water and stir it well. Your invisible ink is ready to use. Dab a cotton swab into this juice and write your message on a piece of white paper. Allow the ink to dry, as the ink dries your message will disappear.
Now how does your recipient read the message? For this hold the paper over a light bulb or over a light flame till the message reappears.
Be careful to try this under supervision and ensure that you do not hold the paper too close to a flame.
By Marylou Tousignant
The Washington Post
What do the Lincoln Memori-
al, the Super Bowl, the king
of Spain and London’s Big
Ben clock have in common?
Need a hint? OK, the answer is as easy
as I, II, III.
That’s right: They all use Roman
numerals.
This system of counting goes back to
ancient Rome, more than 2,500 years ago.
Traders and others needed a way to count
higher than the number of fingers they
had. The result was a series of symbols,
been passed along to us as seven letters:
I, V, X, L, C, D and M. Each letter has a value
in our numbering system:
I = 1
V= 5
X= 10
L= 50
C= 100
D= 500
M= 1,000
Other Roman numerals are formed by
combining the letters and reading them
left to right. Here’s how it works:
- A letter that follows a letter of greater
or equal value adds to the total. For ex-
ample: XI is 10 plus 1. LII is 50 plus 2. CC
is 100 plus 100.
- A letter that appears before a letter
with a higher value subtracts from the
total. For example, IV is 5 minus 1. XC is
100 minus 10.
It can be tricky at first to figure out
what a Roman numeral stands for, but
it gets easier with practice. Try this one:
XLIV. (See answer below.)
The 10-digit numbering system (zero
through 9) that we use is known as Ara-
bic or Hindu-Arabic. It is more than 1,000
years old. People liked it because it was
faster and easier to use, so it gradually
replaced Roman numerals. There were
a few holdouts, though. Some parts of
Italy, where Rome is, banned the use of
anything but Roman numerals into the
14th century.
Today the Hindu-Arabic numbering
system is the most common in the world,
but that doesn’t mean we are free of Ro-
man numerals. Remember how this story
began?
- The Lincoln Memorial is covered
with Roman numerals. They show the
years in which states joined the Union.
The dates for both Maryland and Virginia
are “MDCCLXXXVIII.” (We’ll let you do the
math.)
- The king of Spain is Felipe VI.
- Big Ben is what people call the fa-
mous clock tower in London, England. The
hours visible on the clock are Roman nu-
merals, each about two feet long.
- The National Football League’s an-
nual Super Bowl likes Roman numerals,
too. Last year we had Super Bowl XLIX
(Number 49). This year will be an excep-
tion, however. The league didn’t like how
“Super Bowl L” would look on T-shirts and
other items, so it’s using “Super Bowl 50”
instead. But next year we’ll be back to
Roman numerals, for Super Bowl LI (51).
Roman numerals pop up in lots of
places, including the Olympic Games,
the names of popes and book chapters.
Keep your eyes open for them and im-
press everyone with your knowledge of
the numbers.
Solution: XL is 50 minus 10, or 40; and
IV is 5 minus 1, or 4. Add 40 and 4 to get
your answer: 44.
To learn more: Check out Fun With Roman Numerals by David A Adler.
Letters as numbers? You can count on it
DO IT AT HOME COLOUR ME
Create your own
invisible ink
QATAR MOTOR
SHOW 2016A must-go for motor enthusiasts, the exhibition is on from January 28 to February 1 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in West Bay.
08 FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
Volkswagen Middle East presents the new
generation of the best-selling Tiguan – the
ultimate SUV for the urban jungle - at this
year’s Qatar Motor Show.
With new perceptibly sporty body proportions, the
precision and logic of the second generation’s design
gives it an unmistakably dominant character.
The latest model will be available in three new
powertrains ranging from a 1.4L engine with an output
of 150 HP, up to a 2.0L engine with a 220 HP and a
six and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) with
4MOTION, which is now offered for the first time in the
Tiguan. The new model will be available in five model
configurations - S, SE, SE 2.0L, SEL and Sport with an
additional sport R-Line package for both the interior
and exterior.
The new Tiguan is one of the world’s most advanced
Compact SUVs with impressive innovative features en-
hancing the vehicle’s safety, convenience, infotainment
and dynamism. These include the 12.3-inch Active Info
display – an interactive, fully digital main instrumen-
tal panel and a Head-Up Display, offered for the first
time in a Volkswagen SUV. Furthermore, ensuring com-
plete passenger comfort and convenience are features
such as Easy Open / Easy Close (automatic opening
or closing of the tailgate in response to a specific foot
movement behind the Tiguan) and power comfort
seats with a memory feature.
Thomas Milz, Managing Director, Volkswagen Middle
East said, “On board the new Tiguan, safety, conven-
ience and connectivity have been taken to a new level
with driver assistance and infotainment systems. The
SUV features include LED projection headlights, digital
Active Info Display and Head-Up Display - the new
Tiguan has transformed the Compact SUV segment
with smart, affordable and innovative features. This
year’s Qatar Motor Show at the DECC provides a unique
and synergetic platform to showcase the new Tiguan,
an all-access vehicle for a new era.”
The interior is a model example of well thought-
out ergonomics and intuitive operating structures. The
interplay of the dash panel, centre console and door
panels create a remarkably intuitive atmosphere for the
driver. The weight of the new Tiguan was also reduced
by over 50 kg compared to the previous model. Mean-
while, the space offered in the interior and luggage
compartment has taken a gigantic leap forward. The
boot volume of the new Tiguan can store up to 615
litres of cargo (loaded to the back of the rear bench);
when the rear seat backrests are folded, its capacity
increases to 1,655 litres. This represents a gain of 145
litres. The new Tiguan will be available in showrooms
across the Middle East from August 2016.
Also featured at the Qatar Motor Show is the Golf
GTI Clubsport concept car – marking the 40th anni-
versary of the Golf GTI – alongside the fun and iconic
Beetle Cabriolet and the family–friendly newly de-
signed 2016 Passat.
Volkswagen presents new
Tiguan at Qatar Motor Show
Following its recent global debut
in September at the Frankfurt
Motor Show, the Ferrari 488
Spider has finally came to Qatar and
unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show by
Al Fardan Sports Motors, the official
Ferrari importer-dealer in Qatar.
The Ferrari 488 Spider is the latest
chapter in Maranello’s ongoing his-
tory of open-top V8 sports cars and
is Ferrari’s most powerful ever mid-
rear-engined V8 car to feature the
patented retractable hard top, along
with the highest level of technologi-
cal innovation and with innovative
design.
In this occasion, Charly Dagher,
General Manager, Alfardan Sports
Motors General Manager, said: “We
are pleased to unveil the Ferrari 488
Spider at this year’s motor show.
This model is an innovative and dis-
tinguished addition to the Ferrari
family and a true representation of
the history and excellence of the
brand combining strength and luxury
at once.”
“We are confident that the new
Ferrari 488 Spider will be received
warmly in Qatar because of its excel-
lent performance and driving comfort
and go on to become one of the
country’s most popular sports cars.
We look forward to continue work-
ing with Alfardan Sports Motors to
ensure our loyal customers and Fer-
rari enthusiasts are offered the latest
innovations and an unparalleled serv-
ice,” added Dagher.
The Ferrari 488 Spider is the first
RHT (Retractable Hard Top) intro-
duced from Maranello on a car of this
particular architecture. This solution
ensures lower weight (-25 kg) and
better cockpit comfort compared to
the classic fabric soft-top. Just like all
previous spider versions of Ferrari’s
models, this is a car that is aimed
squarely at clients seeking open-air
motoring pleasure in a high-perform-
ance sports car with an unmistakable
Ferrari engine sound.
Every area of the car has been
designed to set new technological
benchmarks for the sector: from the
aluminium spaceframe chassis and
bodyshell to the new turbo-charged
V8, aerodynamics that reconcile the
need for greater downforce with
reduced drag along with the spe-
cific cabin air flow demands of an
open-top car, and vehicle dynamics
that render it fast, agile and instantly
responsive.
Ferrari 488 Spider unveiled in Doha
09FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
A few ideas to help you declutter that jewellery box and also display it in a stylish and creative wayWOMEN
By Anisha Bijukumar
The Peninsula
There is nothing that makes a
woman more happy than her
collection of jewels and if its or-
ganised in a creative way then
the happiness only doubles.
Each woman has faced this situ-
ation at least once when one of the
favorite earring has gone missing and
we had to do with another pair. There
is nothing more depressing than seeing
your treasured neck pieces all tangled,
earrings that have lost their mates or
bangles that have lost their shape.
We have brought together a few
ideas to help you declutter that jewel-
lery box and also display it in a stylish
and creative way:
1. Use tiny decorative dishes or sau-
cers: If you do not have a large
collection of rings, earrings and
necklaces, then store them in col-
ourful dishes or saucers, without
cluttering them too much.
2. Old muffin pans, chocolate box or
cookie box: Decorate them using
patterned papers, cutouts or rib-
bons to keep your jewellery inside.
3. Use a cheese grater or an ice tray
to hold your earrings so that you
never lose a pair and can snatch it
even when in a rush.
4. Get a glass bottle and place a tree
twig in it to hang your chains and
bracelets.
5. A cookie tray or cupcake stand
makes for a lovely way to store
bangles and kadas (thick asian
bangles).
6. Make your own jewelry hanging rack
using a wooden frame and old jute
sack and some hooks.
7. Use a ribbon to keep track of your
earrings.
8. Recycle old glass bottles to stack
bangles and bracelets.
9. Use aluminium cloth hangers to
place your bangles inside them and
hang them inside your closet.
10. Use corkboard covered with linen
fabric and decorated with nailhead
border to hang your favourite pair
of earrings or necklaces.
11. Antlers have naturally jagged shape
that make it an ideal and creative
jewelry organiser.
12. USB box can be used to store some
of the smaller jewellery that you
own.
Go ahead and let your creative juic-
es flow, which in turn could get your
favourite jewels organised.
Be the proud owner of an
organised jewellery box
PETS
10 FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
One reason behind the furry trend is that cats are a good fit for modern Japanese lifestyles.
By Midori Yamamura
The Japan News
Cats are all the rage in Japan these days - book-
stores are lined with dozens of photo books
featuring cute little felines, and they’re popular
online as well. The furry things are also gaining
ground on dogs as the pet of choice. Why are they
latching onto so many hearts?
There are about 100 titles on cats in the photo
books section of Yaesu Book Center’s main store in
Chuo Ward, Tokyo. Dogs are featured in about 30
books.
“Ten years ago, there were more books on dogs.
But about two or three years ago, cats caught up and
quickly took the lead,” said Shinji Takasugi, the store’s
PR manager. “Photo collections of free-spirited stray
cats are popular these days.”
Calendars for 2016 featuring cats are outselling the
dog variety by about 50 percent at the same store.
“Books and calendars about dogs are generally breed-
specific, but this isn’t true for cats,” Takasugi said. “They
sell to a wide audience.”
A search for cats on YouTube returns 3.88 million
hits - about 1.6 times the number for dogs. Unlike dogs,
which tend to react to the camera, cats seem unfazed
and go about their affairs as usual. Cat owners post
videos showing them in all kinds of amusing situations,
from disappearing into boxes to jumping in surprise
at unexpected noises.
“Sometimes they snub you, sometimes they’re all
over you,” said Yoko Manabe, editor-in-chief of the
monthly magazine Neko no Kimochi (Cats’ feelings)
published by Benesse Corp. “Cats are unpredictable
and interesting. They act on a whim and do as they
please.”
Cats are just as popular in the world of entertain-
ment. The smartphone game Neko Atsume (Collect the
cats) was launched in October 2014, and has racked
up 10 million downloads. There are also many com-
mercials and films starring cats.
“Cat cafes have sprung up all over the place, and
even people who have never kept a pet cat are falling
under their spell,” Manabe said.
Sales of cat-related publications and goods are said
to be having a positive effect on the economy, dubbed
Nekonomics. One reason behind the furry trend is that
cats are a good fit for modern Japanese lifestyles.
According to a pet ownership survey by the Japan
Pet Food Association in Tokyo, the 2014 estimate for
the number of pet cats stood at 9,959,000, up by
about 220,000 from 2013. There were 10,346,000
pet dogs in 2014, but their numbers are declining.
“There’s a growing number of working couples and
households made up of elderly people,” said Yoshio
Koshimura, honorary chairman of the Japan Pet Food
Association. “They probably tend to prefer cats, which
don’t require a lot of effort to look after.”
Cats don’t need to go for walks. They also don’t
get stressed easily even if their owners aren’t at home
all day, and they don’t make enough noise to disturb
the neighbors.
“In Western countries where there are many
working couples, like the United States, France, and
Germany, there are more pet cats than dogs,” said
Mitsuaki Ota, a professor at Tokyo University of Ag-
riculture who researches the relationships between
humans and animals.
“In Japan, we’re beginning to see dog breeders
go bankrupt due to the fall in dog ownership. As a
result, dogs are becoming more expensive to buy. This
risks creating a vicious circle in which fewer and fewer
people own dogs,” Ota said.
In Japan, the popularity of different types of pets
changes at a dizzying pace, so Koshimura believes
prospective pet owners should think carefully.
“Rather than being swept up by a craze and buy-
ing a pet without much thought, first think hard about
what kind of pet is suited to your lifestyle,” Koshimura
said.
Lower costs are another reason why cats are
popular.
According to a survey by Tokyo-based Anicom
Insurance Inc., annual expenses for dogs are about
360,000 yen (about $3,050) per year, while those for
cats are about 180,000 yen. Dogs have higher food
costs since they exercise more, and there are also medi-
cal expenses like vaccinations to consider.
Cats take
over from
dogs in
Japan
11
PARENTING
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
As parents, we know our kids grow up and may be ready to face the world, but do we ever see them beyond little kids heading off to their first day of school?
By Susan O’Keefe
The Washington Post
I wasn’t prepared for the way I felt when my 18-year-old son, Dylan, lifted off for a trip to Asia during his winter break.I was thrilled the moment he first
told my husband and me that he want-ed to use some of his savings to visit a friend studying in Shanghai and travel around the continent. Michael and I had sojourned to Southeast Asia for a few months before we were married, and Dylan would be visiting some of the same places. We were excited for him to explore the world. We told him that travelling was one of the best ways to spend his money. “Collect expe-riences, not things,” we said. “The memories will last a lifetime.”
It was exciting for me knowing my oldest child would be on such an adventure even so far from home. Last fall, in fact, while several friends were having a hard time letting go of their first-borns headed off to college, I was oddly okay with Dylan leaving home. I chalked my coolness up to that he’d already been away - sleep-away camps and a summer
job in New England - and I felt com-fortable with him being on his own. And with his college only a few hours from home, if something went wrong we could drive to him the same day.
Then came winter break and the sheer joy of having Dylan home again. Our family of five was together and I was at peace.
On the morning of Dylan’s de-parture, he woke the other kids to say goodbye, stuffed a few more things in his bag, and headed to the airport. Before he and Michael pulled away, I yelled one last time, “Be safe, and text when you arrive in Shanghai.”
That night, while he was flying somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, it hit me that Dylan was really on his own. I woke hourly, each time check-ing the clock and counting the hours before he would land the following morning. Doubting my decision to let him go, I felt anxious, prayed, and thought about all the things that could go wrong.
As parents, we know our kids grow up and may be ready to face the world, but do we ever see them beyond little kids heading off to their first day of school? I wanted Dylan back home, building a fort in the basement for his younger sister, like he did days earlier.
And then I heard from him. The first text said he’d arrived. The sec-ond text said his luggage didn’t make it. At the time, the thought of him not having his belongings seemed monumental to me. It felt
like he was missing the things that connected him to home.
I frantically attempted to track down his bag. The following day, I per-suaded him to go back to the airport and search lost baggage, urged him to file a second claim, and suggested he go to the airline’s office in downtown Shanghai. My efforts were futile. I was frustrated, and all the while Dylan was texting me he was all right.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” he wrote. It was exactly what I needed to hear. He was okay and I could let go. From that moment on I gave him space to be on his own and to discover the wonder of new places without my in-put. There was no more talk about lost luggage or what he should do next. I knew that he’d figure it out, and that the life lessons would be deep.
Several days into the trip (now travelling with his good friend, Jack), Dylan sent a photo from the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. The sky was blue and clear, the city and harbor sprawled far below, and he was smil-ing and wearing the same clothes he left home in. His note read, “I thought I could never study abroad anywhere but Europe, but I could definitely do it here.”
I gave him space
to be on his own
and to discover
the wonder of new
places without
my input. There
was no more talk
about lost luggage
or what he should
do next. I knew
that he’d figure it
out, and that the
life lessons would
be deep.
How my son’s overseas trip taught me to let go
FILMS
12 FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
ROYAL PLAZA
ASIAN TOWN
NOVO
MALL
LANDMARK
ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS
BABY BLUES
ZITS
Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami...and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother.
VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER
List of movies running in Qatar cinemas. Get your friends or families together, grab a bucket of popcorn and enjoy a weekend flick.
Exposed (2D/Drama) 10:30am, 11:30, 12:00noon, 2:20, 4:10, 4:40, 7:00, 8:50, 9:20 & 11:40pmAlving And The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D/Animation) 11:15am, 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15 & 11:15pmDirty Grandpa (2D/Comedy) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00 & 11:55pmStandoff (2D/Thriller) 11:30am, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30pmOcean 14 (2D/Arabic) 10:30am, 2:50, 7:10 & 11:30pmKedbet Kol Youm (2D/Arabic) 12:40, 5:00 & 9:20pm Ride Along 2 (2D/Comedy) 11:00am, 3:00, 7:00, 9:10 & 11:15pmDaddy’s Home (2D/Comedy) 1:00 & 5:00pmThe Boy (2D/Horror) 10:35, 3:00, 7:25, 9:35 & 11:50pmThe 5th Wave (2D/Adventure) 12:45 & 5:10pmConcussion (2D/Drama) 11:50am, 1:40, 2:10, 4:30, 6:20, 6:50, 9:10, 11:10& 11:30pmStar Wars:The Force Awakens(Action) 3D IMAX 11:30am & 5:30pmThe Revenant (2D IMAX/Adventure) 2:30, 8:30 & 11:30pm
Seethamma Andalu Ramayya Sitralu (Telugu) 2:00pmAmerican Hero (2D/Action)4:15pm Exposed (2D/Drama) 6:15pmOcean 14 (2D/Arabic) 8:15pm Stand Off (2D/Thriller) 10:00pm
Concussion (2D/Drama) 6:15 & 11:30pmAlvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D/Animation) 2:45, 4:30 & 5:45pm Airlift (2D/Hindi) 8:30pmAirlift (2D/Hindi) 8:30pm Two Countries (2D/Malayalam) 10:30pmSaala Khadoos (2D/Hindi) 2:00 & 7:30pmRide Along 2 (2D/Action) 4:00pmKedbet Kol Youm(2D/Arabic)9:30pm Irudhi Suttru(2D/Tamil) 11:30pm
Seethamma Andalu Ramayya Sitralu (Telugu) 1:00pmCharlie (Malayalam) 3:30pm Irudhi Suttru (Tamil) 12:30, 4:15, 6:00, 8:45, 10:45pm &01:00am 2 Countires (Malayalam) 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 7:15, 8:15, 9:30, 10:00, 12:30 & 1:15am Saala Khadoos (Hindi) 2:45, 6:30 & 11:00pm Airlift (Hindi) 5:00pmRajani Murugani (Tamil) 01:30am
Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D/Animation) 2:30, 5:00 & 7:00pmOcean 14 (2D/Arabic) 4:15pm Stand Off (2D/Thriller) 6:00pmExposed (2D/Drama) 7:30 & 11:30pm
Kedbet Kol Youm(2D/Arabic) 9:30pmThe Good Dinosaur (2D/Animation) 3:00pm Airlift (2D/Hindi) 9:00pm Concussion (2D/Drama) 6:15 & 11:15pm Irudhi Suttru(2D/Tamil) 2:30 & 11:15pmAmerican Hero (2D/Action) 4:30pmTwo Countries (2D/Malayalam) 8:30pm
The Good Dinosaur (2D/Animation) 2:30pm Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D/Animation) 4:15, 6:00 & 8:00pm Stand Off (2D/Thriller) 9:45pmSaala Khadoos (2D/Hindi) 2:30 & 11:30pmExposed (2D/Drama) 4:30 & 11:00pm Airlift (2D/Hindi) 6:30pm
Concussion (2D/Drama) 8:45 & 11:00pm Ride Along 2 (2D/Action) 3:00pmAmerican Hero (2D/Action) 5:00pmKedbet Kol Youm(2D/Arabic) 9:00pm
13
PUZZLES
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
EASY SUDOKU
Yesterday’s answerEasy Sudoku Puzzles: Place a digit from 1
to 9 in each empty cell so every row, every
column and every 3x3 box contains all the
digits 1 to 9.
Yesterday’s answer
How to play Hyper Sudoku:A Hyper Sudoku Puzzle is solved by filling the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In all regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like a normal Sudoku.
HYPER SUDOKU
Yesterday’s answerHow to play Kakuro:The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some cells will contain two numbers.
However, in a crossword the numbers reference clues. In
KAKURO
ACROSS
1 Pinnacle
5 “That was a close one!”
9 Penny-pinching
14 Back end of a hammer
15 Toy building brick
16 Like some screws and translations
17 *Club used in a bunker
19 Confess (to)
20 N.J. winter hrs.
21 Old crones
22 Rehab problem, for short
23 Boardwalk’s locale
25 Zero chance
28 331/3 r.p.m. records
29 Cracker spread
30 Priest’s robe 32 *1980s
hand-held puzzle craze
36 “Garfield” dog
37 ___ of Man
38 Dashing Flynn of films
39 Woodworking tool
40 Corp. bigwigs
41 *Many a countertop
43 Part of a circle
44 “That’s mine!”
45 Bake sale purchase
46 Avoids, as an issue
48 Reference work on notable people
published since 1899
52 Golf ball propper-upper
53 Swamp critter
54 Move like a flea
55 What 32-Across has six of
58 “Smile!” … or a hint to the ends of the
answers to the five starred clues
60 Midterms and finals
61 Long, arduous walk
62 Look through binoculars, e.g.
63 Full of gossip
64 3, 4 and 5, on golf courses
65 Alan of “The Aviator”
DOWN
1 Cathedral areas
2 Stop
3 *Inability to recall something
4 Stop 5 Argue in court
6 Waffle 7 Waffle ingredients
8 Misfortune
9 Cover with a garment
10 “In what way?”
11 Many, many years
12 Sch. in Tempe
13 Vim and vigor
18 ___ broom 22 “I gotta hear this!”
24 007 and others
25 Big shot 26 *Riverboat propeller
27 “My Fair Lady” lady
29 Contented cat sounds
31 British network, with “the”
32 Costa ___ 33 ___ manual
34 Jew or Arab
35 Grouchy sorts
36 Green spot in a desert
42 Many, many years
44 Like gala attire
47 List components
48 More twisted, as humor
49 Takes to a pawnshop
50 Fleeced
51 La Scala offering
53 Irene of “Fame”
55 Quagmire
56 Paul Bunyan’s tool
57 Cornfield call
58 Gas tank additive
59 Org. concerned with clean air
A C C O R D I N G T O P L A ND O U B L E S O L I T A I R EA C R O S S T H E S T R E E TP A T E H O N I D O LT I E S U P G O S O L OE N S S A H A R A N W A SD E T E T A M I N E N E S
D E S I G N SA L G C R O C H E T C I EB I O A N N E T T E O R US B A R R O S P U R O NO R L E T M I N O N UR A I S E T H E T I T A N I CB R E A K O U T I N A R A S HS Y S T E M S A N A L Y S T S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16
17 18 19
20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39
40 41 42
43 44 45
46 47 48 49 50 51
52 53 54
55 56 57 58 59
60 61 62
63 64 65
CROSSWORD
a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! They denote the total of the digits in the row or column referenced by the number.Within each collection of cells - called a run - any of the numbers 1 to 9 may be used but, like sudoku, each number may only be used once.
Hoy en la Historia����������� �
���������������� ���������������������������������������� �������� �������������� ����������� ���������������������������������� ���!����"������#����$��%�&���$�'�()���*�������� � ����������� ������ ���������������� ��� ���� ������� ����� ����������������������������������+�,�������-��.������/������0�0�//��0��($(�����$�����$������/����0���*�
���/����������"��(���1#����������$������00���$�(#����(2���'��/����0�������������������2�3���.���(�������'�((������4/#�
!�����"�#����� $��%�!&�'�#�(�
Feeling lazy to go out? Stay inside with a hot karak, some healthy chips and start solving these puzzles. We have some number crunching ones and also the traditional crossword.
14 FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
INTERIOR DESIGNIt’s time to simplify and focus on what really matters - friends and family, not toilet paper, wet towels and unmade beds.
By Elizabeth Mayhew The Washington Post
The other day I arrived home just as my 18-year-old daughter was walking out the door. Rather than saying hello, she blurted, “I’m in a rush, so I didn’t have time to replace the toilet paper on the toilet paper holder.” This may seem like
a bizarre greeting, but both my kids know that failure to replace the TP is one of my major pet peeves.
Nevertheless, I get why my family fails at this. Replac-ing toilet paper on the common kind of holder is a pain; the tension rod often falls apart, and the inner spring pops out. It’s a flawed design. Frankly, I am not sure why we all haven’t updated our bathrooms with the single-arm, just-slip-the-tissue-roll-on style.
Which leads me to my New Year’s resolution: I am swapping out, hanging up and doing away with any past decorating decisions that are hard for my family to maintain. First on the list: a trip to Restoration Hardware for new toilet paper holders.
Next I am throwing in the towel - or, more accurately, hanging it up. I am tired of my kids leaving their wet towels on their beds, sloppily shoving them on their respective towel bars or, even worse, leaving them in a puddle on the bathroom floor. From this day forward, I am barring towel bars from my bathrooms and install-ing hooks instead. (Anthropologie has great whimsical ones!) Hooks are much easier, no folding is required, and as long as you only hang one item (towel or robe) on each hook, it’s perfectly hygienic.
Speaking of towels, everyone in my house is get-ting the same white towels and the same white sheets (providing it’s the same-size bed). No more matching sets for each person. It’s like buying all the same socks; if one wears out or mysteriously gets eaten by the washing machine, the remaining sock is not worthless.
Another thing about our bedding: I am doing away with flat sheets and blanket covers. From now on, every bed in my house gets a fitted sheet, pillowcases, and a duvet with a duvet cover on it. When it’s time for us to make our beds, all we have to do is pull up the duvet and fluff the pillows - we’re talking a fully made bed in five seconds flat! (The duvet covers from Matouk are my favorite because they have a zipper at the bottom instead of buttons.)
When it’s time to replace our window treatments, I am not reinstalling Roman shades. Not only do I not want the hassle of cranking them up and down, morning and night, but I am also tired of having the mechanism break or having the shade get out of alignment. Instead, I am going to install simple curtains on a rod that I can quickly pull open or close.
I am also making one change to my kitchen: I am installing pot racks so that I can see my pots clearly - no more digging in the back of a cabinet through a stack of frying pans. I’ll be able to see and grab the one I need when I need it. And yes, my pots have to be pretty and I’ll have to keep them well-scrubbed if they’re exposed on a rack, but a little elbow grease is worth it to improve access and free up some storage space.
All in all, I predict my changes will go over well. Less nagging, less work. Certainly I will be giving up some of the precious decorating details that I love (beautiful sheets!), but I’ve learned over time that those decorating details are associated with work and maintenance. It’s time for me to simplify and focus on what really mat-ters - friends and family, not toilet paper, wet towels and unmade beds.
ways simplifying your home can simplify your life6
15
POTPOURRI
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2016
If you would like to see a photograph clicked by you published here, mail it to us at [email protected]. Don’t forget to mention your name and where the photo was taken.
Photo of the week Photographer: Haja Javed Ahmed
A view of Al Wakrah Fort.
RECIPE: VEGAN TREAT FOR THE WEEKEND
This time we are bringing you an easy
to make Vegan dish which can be
enjoyed in this cold weather. A vegan
main dish that’s robust enough to leave a
meat eater satisfied. This stuffed squash
dish has you covered.
Winter Citrus, Mushroom and Farro Stuffed Acorn Squash
Start to finish: 45 minutesServings: 4
Ingredients
2 medium acorn squashOlive oilKosher salt and ground black pepper1 1/2 cups thinly sliced mixed mushrooms1 medium yellow onion, diced2 cloves garlic, minced2 cups cooked farro1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thymeZest and juice of 1 lemon
Method:
Heat the oven to 400 F. Line a small baking pan (such as a 9-by-9-inch pan) with foil and spritz with cooking spray.
Cut the acorn squash in half from stem to point and scoop out the seeds and membranes. Slice off a small piece of skin from the rounded side of each half so the squash can sit flat with the cut side up. Rub the cut side of each half with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, then arrange in the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.
Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Add the onion and garlic and cook for another 5 min-utes, or until the onions are tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the farro, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest and juice.
When the squash has cooked for 30 minutes, remove it from the oven and spoon the filling into each half. Return to the oven and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the squash flesh is tender when pierced with a paring knife.
AP