Elation, revelry and a bit of dismay marked Qatar’s 2012 National Day celebrations yesterday.
For many, highlights included the parade and activities at Darb Al Sai. But the celebrations appeared to be reserved mainly for families.
Journalist Ted Regencia told Doha News:
Mostly South Asian men were prevented from approaching the Corniche during the parade…They looked so disappointed for being excluded from the festivities. At least they should have been allowed in the later part of the parade route. I almost didn’t see the parade myself…
There was also a spectacular fireworks show last night:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5rpaH421cQ]But the traffic jams leading up to the show and the snarls that followed were not nearly as popular.
After midnite, yet the traffic due to National Day is still mad. Haven’t reached home yet 🙁
— Imelda Pardede (@MrsTutuko) December 18, 2012
Traffic is obviously part of the fun for a lot of people today. #QND#QFLivetwitter.com/NotAlannaDelRe…
— Alanna Alexander (@NotAlannaDelRey) December 18, 2012
Despite police warnings that violators would be punished, motorists continued to gun their engines, stand up in their vehicles and honk their horns.
Don’t be alarmed if you are stuck in traffic at Rainbow roundabout and a small monkey in human clothes climbs in your car. Seriously. #Doha
— Justin Kramer (@JustinLindberg) December 18, 2012
The traffic in front of City Centre at 12am #QND #dohatraffic #qatar national day celebrations twitter.com/RabiaZaman/sta…
— Rabia (@RabiaZaman) December 19, 2012
And the aftermath of the festivities has yielded no shortage of litter on the streets.
I feel sorry for what is going on in #Doha streets it’s so sad streets are full of garbage #QND #Qatar twitter.com/aksharawi/stat…
— Kareem Sharawi (@aksharawi) December 18, 2012
Still, there is some talk of cleaning up the streets, as Qataris did following last year’s QND. We’ll let you know more details as we find them out.
How was your National Day?
Thoughts?
Credit: Top photo by James Mitchell/Qatar Foundation; second photo by Ted Regencia
