Shotgun!

Truth be told, yesterday was the first time I rode the metro this week. 

The last time I swiped my card was on the weekend with the family where we all went to the Mall Of Qatar to have lunch, wander around, and buy a few things for the kids.

It’s no secret, that they always enjoy the metro (now I am actually starting to wonder if this is genetic)

Welcome-back signs at the Mall of Qatar as Covid restrictions are lessened.

Despite the hospitality, the malls these days look a bit too spacious for their visitors and they are coming up with creative ways to fill up the spaces and keep you company.

Mannequins as a solution to maintain social distancing and visually fill up the space.

So back to my first ride this week, I was so much looking for it and finally it happened! I left my client’s office after a long day, walked and enjoyed what Doha has to offer, and finally got to the station.

Doha towers at West Bay as you walk to DECC Metro station from Salam Tower

Side note here! Surprisingly, not all the shops are open yet at the stations… I would’ve wished that there is more happening on this front, but who knows, maybe for a good reason.

My train have arrived, and now the kid in me running towards the front. 

A gentleman next to me moving at the same pace… is he going for it as well?! I Pressed a little faster, he doesn’t seem like he going to let it go, I can see it in his eyes – this is, by all means a race! and I am going to win and take my prize.

Then something happened and now I am talking to myself: Slow down!  He’s a fan too”. I stopped and was smiling without me knowing maybe feeling silly. 

I can see a winner’s smile on his face, from under the mask, as he is milli-seconds away from winning the race, but it seems that he also realized what happened! He slowed down, looked at me in kindness, took the seat, while his bag called it shotgun and enjoyed the ride.

The man seemed to be talking to family back home while he’s using the Metro. You can sense something of pride and happiness in the process! He was flipping his Mobile camera, one time to show them his face and another to share with them how it feels being in the front seat.

The man sitting in the front and enjoying the ride

I met a winner today and that’s why I love the metro! It gives you the chance to meet good sports every single day, where nothing more than two grown-ups got to play by kids’ rules, and it was fun.

See you around

About the author

A Doha resident for the past 12 years. I've seen this city grow, and I am proud that I took part in it.

Doha Metro was the biggest thing that ever happened in here and I was super excited about it. I Deeply and genuinely believe that the Metro is a culture-changing factor, and way more than point A to point B medium.

- Practice what you preach - I use the metro on a daily basis!