All About Kebabs (and Dukhan)

KEBAB // late 17th century: from Arabic kabāb, partly via Urdu, Persian, and Turkish.

DECEMBER 29, 2017

Today's date, January 28, 2018. I've decided to make a short entry about Kebabs. Why? Because I've been craving for authentic kebabs and instead of opening my Uber Eats app and order food, I have decided to post something about it.

But then I realized, I may be missing Kebabs now but maybe what I'm actually missing is just the feeling of being home. Besides, wouldn't it be weird if I just post something only about Kebabs? Hence that's why I'm going to talk about how I miss kebabs(maybe not) and well okay, how I miss Dukhan.

Most people ask me "Do you miss Dukhan?" My response would always be YES, all the freaking time.

If you've lived in the Middle East for more than 10 years like me, you would definitely relate to this. Growing up in a small town called "Dukhan" was truly a unique experience. Five years ago, we were all in a rush to leave Qatar but then had no idea how much we would miss the life once we had there. But that's life though, at some point we all had to move on and go on to the next chapter of our lives. Even if it means leaving the place where you grew up in.

We all move on, we all move forward. But what makes it beautiful is that wherever we may go, we will always have that part of us that makes us Dukhanis, and the love we've always had for our beautiful town called Dukhan. So as a tribute to Dukhan, allow me to list 10 signs you are from Dukhan (or Qatar for this matter).

1. When people asks you where you're from but then they just give you this look..

2. And then after explaining where you're from, you would have to explain that Dukhan is in Qatar and that Dubai is not Qatar.

3. When you think DRC and JRC is the place to be on Thursday and Friday nights.

3. Mondays would always be a thing and kids would look forward to watching the free movies at the Dukhan Cinema. (Let's admit it, we all have watched movies that were censored. Oh no, they're about to kiss, must not look lol) and oh not to mention the QAR1 popcorn too!

4. You are so used to speaking in at least 2 different languages that you get confused whether you're speaking with your mother tongue, english, or a mix of everything by the time you reach home from school.

5. You get excited for Doha trips mostly because that's the only time we can only get to hang out with our friends outside Dukhan.

6. When PE class means, cross- country during the winter and swimming during the summer. And you get to represent the school for inter-school tournaments just because there weren't enough girls in your year group.

7. Your favourite pizza is sausage pizza from Al- Lewan.

8. When climbing up the Al- Jebels is such a cool thing to do.

9. The struggle is real when you try to keep in touch with your friends (This could mean staying up late and losing sleep).

10. When you've been gone for a very long time but still finding yourself wanting to come back just because nowhere else feels like home but Dukhan.