We have just had the privilege of participating (on the side lines) in Qatar's National Day celebrations. As usual, Doha style is splendiferous - weeks before the event every esplanade is draped and wreathed in millions of fairy lights. Celebrations began on about December 12 with camel races and dressage, as well as equestrian events and various other celebrations throughout the town. Newspapers carried full page congratulatory messages.
We drove down to the Corniche on the evening of December 17 and were treated to the spectacle of a jubilant crowd of Qataris heralding their National Day. Celebrations consisted mostly of driving up and down the Corniche. It looked like the ultimate traffic jam - with a difference: cars backed up for miles, driving at fairly sedate speeds, bumper to bumper trundling slowly past crowds of pedestrians gathered on the 8 km esplanade. Shouted greetings were exchanged between all. Everyone was wearing traditional dress and whole families were out in force. (As an aside - Qatari families are generally large - there may be up to four wives, and most women will have between four and seven children each. There were times when we saw an suv/van cruise by with all the kids sardined into the back seats - we counted eight children in one of the cars.) 
The noise level was high - honking horns like a demented opera, revving engines and music reverberating from every car. The sights were amazing - all the windows and sunroofs were open with children and men popping up through the sunroof and standing tall, brandishing swords and daggers, or waving huge flags and little flags. There were even men standing with the car doors open, jumping up and down while the car was driving along! Lots had the Qatari flag (and sometimes more than one) draped and billowing over the car. Many of the cars were decorated with heart and flag stickers to symbolise their owners pride in their country. It was all a lot of fun to watch.
The day itself dawned as a public holiday for all of us. The entire Corniche and surrounding streets were closed off and only special parking with shuttle buses was available. Thousands of people converged on the Bay to watch the spectacle of parades, and finally an amazing fireworks display in the evening. The downside - driving! what else?? Streets were jammed and clogged with irate individuals battling traffic for three hours at a time, according to the newspapers. Parking was a nightmare. I think we did the sane thing and stayed home for the day.
Congratulations Qatar!
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