AA--Doha II (1.12.26)

Early in our trip, our guide, Amanda, had us close our eyes and raise our hands if we enjoy museums.  Then, she had us raise our hands if we don't enjoy museums.  I asked what the result was.  "Way positive for museums," she said, "but I need to know the people who really don't like museums, so I can plan something else for them."   This would be a bleak trip for someone who doesn't like museums.  The Gulf States and Saudi Arabia showcase their art and heritage in gorgeous museum collections housed in stunning buildings.  We visited dozens during our trip.  My very favorite was the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.

The Museum is housed in a striking, geometrical building on the waterfront.  Traditional dhows and modern motor boats cruise nearby, with huge skyscrapers in the distance.

The lobby is a soaring space.  I liked the contrast of a group of women completely covered in their abayas, symbol of tradition, next to the daring, innovative architectural shapes around them.

The huge windows looked across the bay at the skyscrapers of Doha.

There were different galleries for each part of the world to which Islam has spread.  This 6th century turquoise monkey came from the Iran gallery

I love the sheen on Arab glass.

There were intricately decorated Korans from around the Muslim world.  Korans are everywhere, including in our hotel room each night!

The rugs in the Persian and Pakistan galleries were gorgeous.

This Turkish vase appealed to me.

And, of course, the jewels from India and Persia and Afghanistan were magnificent.

This necklace included big lumps of lapis lazuli from Afghanistan.

Many Arabs were warriors, and there were several mannequins wearing elaborate shields and war hats.

One of the Muslim arts is calligraphy--making writing beautiful.