<<

YOUR PAGE, YOUR STAGE!

Community invites you to send your contributions with contact details and complete description of the images to [email protected]. Select images will appear in both the print edition as well as Community Instagram page @communitygt. — PHOTO ESSAY, Page 10

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 Rabia I 16, 1441 AH

Doha today: 220 - 290

99 not out Albert Fraind’s job in World War II was to find land mines. This is his awe-inspiring story. P4-5

COVER STORY 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.29am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.51am Zuhr (noon) 11.19am Asr (afternoon) 2.26pm Maghreb (sunset) 4.48pm Isha (night) 6.18pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

Bala SYNOPSIS: It tells the story of a man who is balding DIRECTION: Amar Kaushik prematurely and how he copes up with the situation. CAST: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, THEATRES: Royal Plaza, Landmark, The Mall Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374 Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal who come together to repair a large boat, falls in love with the DIRECTION: Kamal boat owner’s granddaughter, Jasmine. Things take a turn when CAST: Vinayakan, Gabri Jose, Riddhi Kumar a family member fi nds out about the aff air. SYNOPSIS: Ajmal, who is a part of the group of people THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall, Royal Plaza

ote Unquo Qu te “Get your facts fi rst, then you can distort them as you please.” — Mark Twain

Community Editor For movie timings and Kamran Rehmat further details please scan e-mail: [email protected] the QR code above with your Telephone: 44466405 mobile phone camera or visit qatarcinemas.com Fax: 44350474 Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

TIME: 4pm — 9pm A one stop place for school leavers. All prospective students who are planning to study in Malaysia are welcome to the exhibition. Come and be a part of the truly Asian culture in Doha.

After School Activities WHERE: Atelier WHEN: Ongoing Music and arts activities for students taking place after they fi nish their day in school includes Group Music lessons, Hip- hop, Ballet, Drawing and Painting, Drama Theatre & Taekwondo. Ages between 5 and 10 years old after school hours.

Hobby Classes WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art Centre WHEN: Saturday – Friday Mamangam is an art and performance centre started with a vision of spreading our knowledge, interests and experience in various disciplines in arts across diff erent Gems and Jewels Exhibition hierarchies and health systems of the local countries for children and adults. WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art Tanzanian communities. Mamangam has become the favourite WHEN: Ongoing till January 18 A collection of photographs of the wildlife, Artistic Gymnastic Classes centre for learning. We off er regular classes TIME: 9am onwards landscapes and people of Tanzania taken by WHERE: Qatar Academy Msheireb in the following disciplines like traditional The exhibition comes in celebration of WCM-Q professor Dr Dietrich Büsselberg WHEN: Ongoing classical and folk dance forms, art and the 2019 Year of Culture Qatar- and will be exhibited. TIME: 3:15pm – 4:15pm craft, drawing and painting, personality presents a look at magnifi cent gems and The olympic sport using horizontal bar, development and public speaking, jewellery from India. Set in Stone: Gems and rings and fl oor exercises on mats for the dance, contemporary, hip hop styles, music Jewels from Royal Indian Courts showcases children from age 4 till 16. both vocals and instrumentals. To develop more than 100 pieces from across Qatar health consciousness, we train them karate, Museums’ (QM) collections, including many yoga with special sessions for kids and adults. masterpieces that have never been displayed Mamangam has also come up with chess and before. robotics in regular batches in an attempt to give a better learning experience, as they sharpen their minds and brains too. For those who wish to register for more details, visit www.mamangamqatar.in

Ballet Lessons WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier WHEN: Ongoing TIME: 4pm – 8pm For more info e-mail at registration@ atelierqatar.com or call on 33003839.

Career Guidance Shape your Leadership Photo Exhibition: ‘Experience WHERE: Right Track Consultants, Al HEC EMBA Info Session Tanzania’ Sadd WHERE: 14th fl oor, Tornado Tower, West WHERE: Multaqa (Student Center) Art WHEN: Sunday – Thursday Bay Gallery at Education City TIME: 6pm – 8pm WHEN: Today WHEN: Ongoing until December 1 Career guidance for course, country, TIME: 5pm – 6:15pm TIME: 4pm college and entrance for students of Grade Learn more about the world-class ‘Experience Tanzania’ is a yearly project IX-XII, of all curriculum. Career assessments executive programme. Discover the supported by Student Aff airs Division of administered for stream preference, career international diversity of participants, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar that allows test, branch preference, personality, blended learning and international mobility students and faculty to explore and immerse multiple intelligence and learning styles options. Find out how it will help you themselves in Tanzanian urban and rural and productivity. For more information, transform yourself and your career. cultures. During their trip, WCM-Q’s 55448835. HEC Paris invites you to this masterclass aspiring physicians off er basic healthcare where Dr. Serge Besanger will share his services to the locals as a way of giving Education Fair insights on fi ve global megatrends that he back to the community and learn about WHERE: City Centre Doha believes will disrupt every industry over the the lifestyles, traditions, socioeconomic WHEN: November 22 — 23 next ten years.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Notes from a survivor Albert Fraind, 99, grew up in Allentown, worked at Mack Trucks and spent three years fighting the Germans in World War II. He took part in eight major campaigns from North Africa to the heart of Germany. He tells David Venditta his story

A fisherman came by and saw that we were in trouble. He had a big wooden boat, and he hauled us in one at a time. He saved all our lives ‘— Albert Fraind

went away as a kid into the service and came back an old man. I had experienced life in a diff erent way. I saw death fi rsthand and lived off the land. I knew what it was like to be hungry and mostly to fear the unknown. IFrom day to day, you didn’t know if you were going to make it. The fi rst thing that gets into your mind when you see a dead guy is: This could have been me. I was inducted into the Army on October 16, 1941, when I was 21. My basic training was at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and then I was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to the 9th Infantry Division. I was primarily a rifl eman, but my speciality was in high explosives.’ My job was to fi nd mines. I was at Fort Bragg when the Pearl Harbor attack happened. Most of the soldiers in my outfi t, the 15th Engineer Combat Battalion, were from New England. They were really nice guys, working stiff s like I was, punched a clock. When my squad looked for mines, we’d have four guys with mine detectors and we’d be about 10 feet apart. We would scan the ground, and when we found a mine, we would mark it with a rod and a fl ag that said MINE. We’d open up a lane. Then the rest of our outfi t would come in and they’d disarm the mines or detonate them. They had the really tough part. The fi rst casualty in our outfi t was a medic. He was on his way to a latrine and a sniper picked him off . That happened in Africa. In Europe, a good friend of mine from Scranton stepped on an antipersonnel mine and it blew him in half. UNDEFEATED: Good health permitting, Albert Fraind will be 100 next February. I was in the area when it happened. I heard the explosion, Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

“One of the most horrendous noises I experienced was lying on my belly with shrapnel flying overhead, sucking air. That was horrible, frightful” — Albert Fraind but we heard a lot of explosions and you never knew it was going to be one of us. We covered him with a GI blanket. Especially in Europe, we blew up pillboxes. You couldn’t destroy them, you’d have to have an atomic bomb for that, but we could disable them. We’d destroy the insides. There was a pillbox that my squad had to disable. Four of us had wooden boxes of TNT, 40 pounds of it. The pillbox was inactive. If there were Germans in there, they weren’t fi ring, or they were hiding somewhere else. We had to prepare the fuse, and we had to know how much time we’d have after we set it. We timed the fuse for four minutes and lit it. I was the last guy out. We got a good ways from there, CARING: Albert Fraind, left, with Seargent Ernie Micka and young German girl and we were looking at our watches. whose mother hid her under trap door in kitchen. German citizens were afraid Five, 10 minutes and it didn’t go off . of US soldiers as a result of Nazi propaganda. Fraind and Micka were staying I turned to my foxhole buddy and in the family›s house. The mother became convinced that the Americans said, “You know what this means.” were good people. She opened the trap door and let her daughter up. The “Yeah, you’ve got to go down there soldiers gave her cake and candy. and see what happened.” I said, “I can’t ask anybody to go, but I want up there to feed us. minutes to get the hell out of here. you to come with me.” So we went BLAST FROM THE PAST: Albert Fraind in World War II gear, including “pie I was fortunate. I didn’t get We ran across, and when we got to down there. plate” helmet, during Army basic training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in 1941. frostbite, and neither did my the other side, they started shelling What happened was, I was foxhole buddy Joe Dempsey — he again. The Germans had rigged the panicking after we lit the fuse and recuperation. Three of us were landed in Normandy at Utah Beach. was a detective from Brooklyn. bridge with explosives, but it never — I had to get out of there and I swimming in our skivvies in the The LCT didn’t bring us all the During the Battle of the Bulge, it blew up. A few days later, the bridge slammed the door shut and the fuse Mediterranean, horsing around. We way in to shore. When it stopped, was 8 degrees and we couldn’t dig a collapsed. was under the door. It burned to the didn’t know it, but we were drifting we walked down the ramp into foxhole. The Germans had artillery When we were held up in a town door and stopped. It was a heavy out, caught in the undertow. How water up to our waists. We held our that was considered an air burst. in Germany, we usually stayed in steel door, fl ush with the fl oor. I were we going to make it back? One rifl es up. The noise was deafening. It would hit the tops of the trees. a house. A couple of us guys were should have closed it partly. We relit guy lost it completely. I had to turn There were shells popping all over, The trees were sometimes sheared in this one house, and a woman the fuse and got away from there, him around to hold him, because dead bodies scattered around. The in half, and a lot of them were lived there. She was a teacher and this time the pillbox blew. if I faced him, he’d grab ahold of beach was so crowded with men turned over. Joe and I would crawl and spoke English well. We got to me and we’d both go down. I could and material, it was impossible to under these fallen trees in the snow talking to her, and she couldn’t The danger in horseplay hold him with one arm, because he fi nd each other. You didn’t know and hug each other to keep warm. believe that we didn’t rape or kill The war in Africa was a diff erent wasn’t struggling, he was so out who was beside you, only that Sometimes I wonder how I ever got her. The German people had been kind of war that we weren’t trained of it. he was a soldier, too. I didn’t see through that, not only me but all of warned about Americans. She made to do. In Europe, you knew where My other buddy, Billy Davidson, anyone else in my outfi t for 10 days. us there. us some scrambled eggs in a big the enemy was. In the desert, you was giving up, willing to die. He It was chaos. One of the most horrendous frying pan and said, “I’ve got to tell had to look for them. We went on said to me, “Save yourself.” He was I was on the beach and inland noises I experienced was lying you something.” She had a young patrol at nighttime to make contact. within my reach, so with my other a little bit for fi ve days. Then our on my belly with shrapnel fl ying daughter. We said, “Where is she?” At the Kasserine Pass (in hand, I held onto him by the back of commanders started pushing us off overhead, sucking air. That was There was a mat on the kitchen Tunisia), we were supporting his skivvies. I said, “Don’t fi ght the the beachhead because we had to horrible, frightful. fl oor, and she pulled it away and there services on the periphery. We got ocean. Just keep your head up, save make way for stuff coming in. We At Elsenborn (in Belgium) we was a trap door. The kid, 12 years old some of the shelling, but we weren’t your strength.” encountered paratroopers hanging came to a forced-labour camp. or so, was hiding under the trap door. in combat. We were behind the guys I knew what I was doing. When I in trees –– dead. The Germans had There were French, Italians and We gave her cake and candy. in the front lines, and when they was a kid, I was a good swimmer. I killed them in the trees. other nationals in there. They When we came to the Elbe River, retreated, we just packed up and was a junior lifeguard and I was on would do farmers’ work in the there was hardly any fi ghting, only followed them. the swim team at Jordan Park. But I Gnawing hunger, bitter cold fi elds. An old guy, a German snipers. We weren’t aware that we After the African campaign, couldn’t have lasted forever. When you’re hungry, that’s an civilian, ran the place. We didn’t shouldn’t be going any farther. The we invaded Sicily. Most of our A fi sherman came by and saw itch you can’t scratch. In France, know it was a camp until we got Russians weren’t supposed to go combat was in the area of Mount that we were in trouble. He had a we were held up at the hedgerows. to the gate. Some of the prisoners any farther than the Elbe on their Etna, the volcano. It was woods big wooden boat, and he hauled us Kitchen couldn’t get to us. My came running up to us. They were side. We got over on the wrong side like the Poconos. The Germans in one at a time. He saved all our buddy pulled onions for dinner. the walking dead, skinny as hell. and our offi cers stopped us when were retreating, and the natives lives. When he brought us to shore, Raw onions burn all the way down. We couldn’t do anything for them. they got orders from headquarters. took good care of us. They made he took off . They laid us out on the A day later, you drink water and it That was for our rear echelon. We had to turn around and go back. spaghetti. We paid them with beach and we couldn’t move. We burns all the way down. After the Germans were driven The war was over. I got through it cigarettes, instant coff ee, tea bags. were exhausted. In the Huertgen Forest (on off the Rhine at Remagen, they all without a scratch — me and my We gave the kids chocolate candy. We went on to England to prepare the border between Belgium zeroed in on the bridge and fi red 88 buddy from Brooklyn. We were just We dealt with mines, but they for the invasion of Europe. On and Germany), there was a lot of millimetre shells every 10 minutes. plain lucky. weren’t as extensive as they were in June 10, 1944, D-Day plus four, we frostbite. People had frozen feet, It was harassing fi re. When the His 100th birthday is in February. Africa and later on in Europe. crossed the English Channel on and we didn’t eat. Where would we shelling stopped, you looked at —The Morning Call (Allentown, One day we were on R&R, rest an LCT, a landing craft tank, and go to eat? Our kitchen couldn’t get your watch and said, I’ve got 10 Pennsylvania)/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY TECH What’s wrong with modern shooter games? aesthetic that leaves less room by Edwin Evans-Thirlwell for experimental design. “Every shooter takes place in the world somewhere,” Romero says. “There’s he id Software founder nothing crazy, it’s not like going to talks about secret rooms, Xen in Half-Life. They always look the value of guns and really nice, but the abstract what the controversial style – I don’t see that around as genre has lost since the much.” 1990sT In setting their sights on realism, “Give us more guns!” is a shooters have opened themselves common battle-cry among players up like never before to criticism of of fi rst-person shooters, the the politics of their representations. videogame industry’s bloodiest Doom was reviled in the press genre. Doom co-creator John for glamorising violence, but Romero has a rather diff erent its cartoon gore seems harmless opinion. alongside the apparent historical “I would rather have fewer things revisionism of Call of Duty in with more meaning, than a million particular. The shooter will always things you don’t identify with,” he be gaming’s most controversial says, sitting in a Berlin bar mocked genre, Romero comments. “It’s all up to resemble a 1920s Chicago about guns, and guns are the things speakeasy. “I would rather spend that are killing everybody in the more time with a gun and make United States. It’s defi nitely the sure the gun’s design is really deep hot button genre. Other games like – that there’s a lot of cool stuff you League of Legends or strategy sims, learn about it.” SPARING DESIGN: The original Doom was launched in 1993 with just eight guns. they’ll never be as controversial, Over two decades since because it’s not the same feeling. Romero, John Carmack and the Doom, it was really important that sometimes disgorging enemies it was a lot more work, because You’re not shooting people dead in other founders of id Software every time you got a new weapon, it into areas you’ve cleared. Today’s in Quake, every single room was fi rst-person.” inaugurated the fi rst-person never made any previous weapons shooters set less store by secret made up of six planes – you have If big budget game design has shooter with Wolfenstein 3D, useless. That was a critical design spaces, Romero says, because to put the floor in, the back wall, drifted away from Doom, the the genre has changed beyond characteristic. We’re going to they cost so much to make. Where the ceiling. You have to add the game’s many modders have kept recognition. Doom’s grungy add a new thing that can’t negate Wolfenstein 3D was created by a light in and make sure it’s the the old id Software spirit alive. hellscapes have given way to the anything that came before. So how dozen people in a matter of months, right brightness, that it hits each Fans have released thousands of authentic militarised killing of Call do you get the chaingun and not the likes of this year’s Call of Duty: corner of the room. It took a lot custom Doom levels since 1993, of Duty and the Pixar stylings of cancel out the pistol? It’s to do Modern Warfare is the work of more work to build Quake levels, ranging from unlicensed Batman Overwatch. Romero himself has with how much ammo it eats, and hundreds, and cost tens of millions and it’s got worse from there. And adaptations to The Adventures been somewhat estranged from how inaccurate it is over distance of dollars. This expense discourages because it takes so much longer, of Square, which swaps Doom’s shooters since releasing the widely – the pistol eats less ammo and is designers from adding anything people just don’t want to do secret squalor for eye-popping rainbow panned Daikatana in 2000. But he’s extremely accurate at a distance.” that isn’t absolutely essential. areas, because how many people hues. Romero has contributed a made headlines recently by creating Doom is also a game that knows Romero noticed this trend while are going to see them?” few mods of his own. Earlier this a couple of surprise expansions for how to keep a secret. It isn’t designing 1996’s Quake, which Financial pressures aside, year he released Sigil, an unoffi cial Doom, and his forthcoming sci-fi just a fi relight simulator but a featured more elaborate, polygon- the decline of secret rooms in Doom epilogue which ranks among blaster, Blackroom, is an object of treacherous, vaguely avant-garde based environments than Doom shooters also refl ects the growing his fi nest creations. much interest among patrons of the work of 3D architecture. Its levels with richer, naturalistic lighting. popularity of realistic settings Sigil puts many of Romero’s claims old school. are mazes of hidden rooms and “Doom was easy to make secret where such spatial intrigues might about the strengths of 90s shooter When I meet Romero after a camoufl aged doors that screech rooms for. You just drew a few look out of place. Even when set design into practice. It is packed full media showing of Empire of Sin, open behind you – sometimes lines and put a door there. It’s in make-believe places, today’s of secret areas, and treats guns not his partner Brenda Romero’s revealing a pile of ammunition, not even a minute. With Quake, shooters favour a gritty, grounded just as weapons but ways of solving Prohibition-era gangster game puzzles. Aside from slaying legions (hence the speakeasy), I’m eager of hellspawn you’ll catch glimpses of for his thoughts on how today’s the Evil Eye, an old Doom prop that shooters diff er from the pixelated was only used a couple of times in provocateurs of the 1990s. His eyes the original game. The Eye is now a brighten when I start talking about switch – you can shoot it to activate demons and power-ups. mechanisms such as secret doors and Modern shooters are too close to sunken bridges. As you move from fantasy role-playing games in how level to level, the Eye becomes harder they shower you with new weapons and harder to discover: fi nding it from battle to battle, Romero often means resisting Romero’s suggests. This abundance of loot sneaky eff orts to lure you in a – which refl ects how blockbuster particular direction. This encourages games generally have become you to think about Sigil not just as a Netfl ix-style services, defi ned by an player, but as a fellow game designer. unrelenting roll-out of “content” For Romero, Sigil demonstrates – means you spend as much that the shooters of the 90s aren’t time comparing guns in menus just worth returning to, but worth as savouring their capabilities. It building on – an idea borne out by encourages you to think of each recent, retro-themed shooters like gun as essentially disposable, like DUSK and Amid Evil, which offer an obsolete make of smartphone. up their own, devilish twists on “The more weapons you throw in Doom and Quake. there, the more you’re playing an “Stuff that could have been inventory game.” done 25 years ago but was never Romero contrasts this to the thought of, I did with Sigil. And sparing design of the original it’s like, yeah, this is cool. It’d be Doom, which launched in 1993 with cool if more shooters had this.” – a grand total of eight guns. “For SURPRISES: The game was unashamedly abstract and filled with secrets. The Guardian Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

Nepali organisations mark 110th birth anniversary of Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Nepali organisations, including Literature Collection, are poignant in both content Department of Non Resident Nepali and expression. Association Qatar (NRNA), International The event kicked off by honouring Nepali Literature Society (INLS), Nabodit Laxmi with the garlands. Hata Jane Literary Library (NLL) and Sandhya Raat (Night to go to Market), a poetry Group recently organised the 98th collection by Rajan Mukarung, senior edition of poetry recital programme Nepali writer and recipient of Madan to mark the 110th birth anniversary Prize, the biggest literary prize of Nepal, of Laxmi Prasad Devkota, one of the was unveiled on the occasion. Various most renowned Nepali-language poet. local Nepali poets, including Narayan Representatives from several Nepali Nirjal Bhandari, Maya KC, Shiva Subedi, literary organisations in Qatar, including Shekhar Basnet, Yadav Regmi, Chirinjivi Non-Resident Nepalese Association Timsina, Rup Bishwokarma, Tilu Sharma (NRNA) attended the event. The event Poudel, Tirtha Sangam Rai, Lekh Karki, was attended by over 100 people. Khem Subedi and Sitaram Thapa recited Muktada Musalman, President of their poems on the occasion. NRNA NCC, was the chief guest on the Niyam Bhujel, Literary Co-ordinator at occasion. NRNA NCC, welcomed the gathering. Laxmi Prasad Devkota is considered Ganesh Cheetri from Sandya Group among Nepali literati as Maha Kabi spoke about Laxmi Prasad and his (Great Poet). His popular books Muna achievements. The programme Madan, Kunjini and Sakuntal are the hosted by Dilip Parajuli and Chanak largest selling Nepali books of all time. Pokheral. Kareem Box Miya, President Educated in English literature, Devkota of Federation of Nepali Journalist, (FNJ) translated William Shakespeare’s was the guest of honour. play Macbeth into Nepali language. – Text and photo by Usha Wagle His essays, collected in Laxmi Essay Gautam

KSQ to mark ‘Karnataka Rajyotsava’ and its 20th anniversary

Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ) ‘7th Qatar Kannada Samman Award’ is all set to mark 64th Karnataka at the event. State Unification Day ‘Karnataka Puneet Rajkumar, Kannada film Rajyotsava’ and the 20th star, will be the guest of honour. anniversary of KSQ on November Puneet has acted in over 27 15 at 4pm at DPS-MIS Al Wakrah Kannada movies. He is also the auditorium. Karnataka Rajyotsav host for popular Kannada TV show celebrates the unification of Kannadada Kotyadipathy. Kannada language speaking The event will feature various population under one geographical cultural performances by artistes state. P Kumaran, Ambassador of from various Kannada organisations India, will be the chief guest on in Qatar, including Tulukoota, the occasion. Dr S L Bhyrappa, BUNTS Qatar and Qatar Billavas. A renowned Kannada novelists, will musical troupe from Karnataka, led be the special guest of honour. by Dr Sanjay, a professional dancer Bhyrappa has written 24 novels, an well-versed in Bharatanatyam and autobiography and eight collection Kuchupudi, will also perform at the of essays. His novels have been event. The event will be hosted by translated to all the 14 languages Vijayendra Athnikar. Young singers, off icially recognised in India. He will including Shree Harsha and Mythri be felicitated with the prestigious Iyer will perform at the event.

WCM-Q first-year students learn First Responder skills

First-year medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar responsible for a patient’s well-being and being able to take (WCM-Q) recently completed a day-long First Responder action to help them and potentially save their life, which is a big training course at the college. Under the supervision of qualified source of motivation.” emergency medical professionals from Hamad Medical The HMC doctors who delivered the training, included Dr Adel Corporation, the 41 students spent the day learning key first Ahmed Fraij Zahran, Chief Specialist at Al Khor Hospital; Dr responder skills, including applying splints and dressings, Amjad Ali Gauhar, Associate Consultant at Al Wakra Hospital immobilising injured patients, dealing with seizures, anaphylactic and Educational Lead of the Emergency Medicine Residency shock, hyperthermia and heart attacks, as well as clearing Training Programme (EMRTP) at HMC; Dr Lubna Gamal airways and giving artificial respiration. Tawil, Senior Resident on the EMRTP; Dr Mahmoud Ahmed The course, which is part of the medical curriculum, presents Abdelhalim Saqr, Associate Consultant at Hamad General one of the first opportunities WCM-Q students have to start Hospital and a Core Faculty of the Emergency Medicine attaining practical physician-ship skills following two years of Fellowship; Dr Zahra Makki, board eligible at EMRTP; and Dr largely theory-based study on the Pre-medical curriculum. Hany Kamel, Consultant in the Emergency Department at During the day, the students moved between five diff erent Hamad General. stations, learning about a diff erent area of emergency medicine Dr Stella Major, WCM-Q Associate Professor of Family Medicine at each one before trying out the skills themselves using a in Clinical Medicine, said, “The First Responder course is a real variety of learning aids and tools, such as medical manikins and milestone for first-year students because this is the point at lifelike anatomical models, a spinal board and a bag valve mask which they really start to feel like doctors and begin attaining ventilator, among others. the practical skills that they need, as well as beginning to truly Rei Myderizzi, First-year WCM-Q student of the Class of 2023, understand the responsibilities the role entails. I was extremely said, “I really enjoyed the course, especially learning how to deal pleased and impressed by the mature and serious way they with hyperthermia, seizures and heart attacks because these are engaged with the learning exercise, and I’m very grateful to our the sorts of cases I think we would be most likely to encounter. colleagues from Hamad Medical Corporation for sharing their The scenarios also helped me get used to the idea of being expertise with us today.” 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY

Pushing for healthier Qatar POWERE with one-stop-shop project Good Life Market is an entrepreneurial project by Muneera al-Kubaisi that caters the need of customers looking out for healthier organic products, writes Abdul Rahman Abid NOTES FROM AN ENTREPRENEUR

“In our community, people have different priorities when it comes to like what’s expensive and what’s not, and it’s just about showing them a different narrative and showing people ‘Your health is just as expensive as the pair of shoes that you will be buying’” — Muneera al-Kubaisi, Founder of Good Life Market

e all take some While Good Life obtained its aspects of our Commercial Registration Number lives for granted, in 2016, the store opened its doors and grocery for the public in 2018, according shopping can to al-Kubaisi. One key proponent Wbe one of them. Consider this that encouraged al-Kubaisi to scenario: what if you had to dash become an entrepreneur was social around several stores all over the media. Around the time she was city to find just the right type of on the weight-loss diet, al-Kubaisi bread, fruits or vegetables? Worse said that she had a huge following yet, what if the right type of food on Instagram because she shared stuffs you were looking for were her hobby of baking with her simply not available at any grocery ‘thousands’ of followers. But when store in the country? Sounds like she started posting about her diet a scary nightmare, right? Well, on her social media accounts, she this was a regular occurrence for soon found out that many of her Muneera al-Kubaisi while she local followers were facing similar was on a weight-loss diet in 2014. struggles. “It was apparent that “Whenever I was on a certain set of we were all doing the same thing, diet, I found myself going to three we were ordering (healthy food or four or five supermarkets to get items) online, bringing stuff with all (items on) my shopping list. So, us (from overseas trips), and I was that was difficult,” says Muneera like, ‘You know what? Someone al-Kubaisi, founder of Good Life might as well open one place that Market. That is how she came up has everything.’” with the idea of a startup, which she While Good Life promises the describes as a “one-stop-shop” for convenience of having all diet- all things healthy and organic. friendly materials under one roof, Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GULF TIMES 9 COMMUNITY

ED BY

WORKSHOP: Muneera al-Kubaisi, front, with her fellow organic and health advocates during a workshop.

al-Kubaisi acknowledges that the securing the finances. She “Finances was a big obstacle, and it considering that it’s a new one.” She or grandparents as diabetics or store is “still not there, yet.” Still, said “For start-ups that have a still is.” added that the price of healthy food with high-blood pressure, and for a business that is still in its niche audience, there are not Juggling between her day job keeps people from buying them or the children consider this to be first year, the consumer response many governmental or semi- as an auditor at the Qatar Credit switching to a healthy lifestyle. “At normal…and it is not.” has been amazing and supportive, governmental institutions that Bureau, running her business and the same time, it is about priority. In The Good Life Market founder according to her. “The reception sponsor such projects.” As a result, maintaining a social life has also been our community, people have diff erent also commented on the increasing has been really well,” she said. al-Kubaisi said she had to look an ongoing struggle for al-Kubaisi. priorities when it comes to like what’s number of people participating Being the fi rst-of-its-kind has got for alternative means of financing She said that throughout all this all expensive and what’s not, and it’s in diets by saying that while it some drawbacks and advantages, her business idea. “I had to rely she have had the support of her close just about showing them a diff erent has become trendy for people however since Good Life is still in its on personal loans and help from friends and social media followers, narrative and showing people ‘Your to do so for the sake of likes and infancy, the store is fi nding hard to friends and family in order to get whom she refers to as, ‘family.’ health is just as expensive as the pair followers on social media, “it is not satisfy all requests. “What people the business started,” she said. Speaking about the health and of shoes that you will be buying.’” a trend I am mad at…if someone miss out in this situation is that it She also pointed out that banks nutrition market in Qatar, al-Kubaisi She said that people would is working out because everyone requires patience, for us to grow and rejected her loan applications said that she acknowledges that appreciate healthier, albeit slightly else is working out, they might as to be able to cater to all what they because her business did not have the products she off er in her store more expensive, alternatives well do it…This is probably the want,” she added. enough deposit money to secure a and the ones available elsewhere if they are made to appreciate only situation where I don’t care The second obstacle that payback guarantee, “If I had that are expensive, “But, it’s not my their well-being. She noted that if it’s trendy or not, if someone is al-Kubaisi said she faced while amount of money, why would go to product, it’s the health and nutrition children in “our communities working out or eating healthy, I am establishing her business was the bank in the fi rst place?” she adds, industry, it is an expensive industry, grow up seeing their parents happy for them.” 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY PHOTO ESSAY

Let’s go to Baladna Farm Spread over an area of 3,840 hectares, Baladna such as milking and feeding of the animals. A visit decorative pieces arranged all across the restaurant Farm is about 50 kilometres away from Doha city on to the Baladna Farm also turns into an educational elevate the ambience further. Shamal Road en route to Al Khor. It features a nicely excursion for everybody, especially the young ones. The farm is a great place for weekend outings or as manicured garden that includes a children’s play area The farm hosts Baladna restaurant that uses the high- a stopover point while going on a long drive on the with slides and swings. Moreover, the farm has a fair- quality local farm produce such as milk, cheese and Shamal Road. It is also a place where children can sized zoo that hosts many animals, hence, attracting meat. interact with domestic animals and learn more about visitors of all ages.Entry to the farm is free and Its decor is based on a rustic theme matches well local culture and heritage. visitors can explore the daily processes at the farm with the general ambience of the farm. Spectacular —Text and photos by Shabna Shanid Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY How meditation can help you make fewer mistakes esearchers have found that It makes people feel more confi dent in meditation could help you what mindfulness meditation might really to become less error prone. be capable of for performance and daily According to the health experts functioning right there in the moment, the here, meditation also helps in study said. According to Pallavi Joshi, Clinical Rrejuvenating the mind, mental well-being, Psychologist at Sri Balaji Action Medical better concentration power along with Institute, New Delhi, traditionally meditation improved memory. has always been suggested to be added in the Practically stress and unwanted tension daily routine so as to reduce regular mental are some of the major reasons of short term problems. forgetfulness and unfocused behaviour, the “As per today’s lifestyle time has come experts added. on fast pace, a single mind has to deal with Manish Gupta, Senior Consultant, a number of things in a single time, hence Department of Neurology at Jaypee Hospital, being forgetful, making silly mistakes Noida, said that meditation helps in frequently is nothing new,” Joshi told IANS. rejuvenating the mind and gives relief from “Meditation helps in bringing the entire stress. thought process to one point and relax, “Hence up to some extent it is helpful it clears our vision and fortunately while in making a person deal things with more preparing for meditation we try to settle our patience and quiet mind. It also entirely defi nitely help in making a person more awareness on feelings, thoughts or sensations physical, emotional and mental status which depends upon the types of meditation one focused. Undoubtedly a calm mind can do as they unfold in one’s mind and body — culminates in not only good meditation, is doing, like sitting and following certain things better than a mind full of mess,” Gupta altered brain activity in a way that suggests but additional eff ectiveness at the level of breathing exercise pattern to calm the mind, said. increased error recognition. balanced emotional and mental well-being, focusing on one point for a long time with The research, published in the journal They found that 20 minutes of meditation better concentration power, improved quite mind,” Gupta told IANS. Brain Sciences, tested how open monitoring can enhance the brain’s ability to detect and memory, lesser forgetfulness,” she explained. “As per techniques, these activities meditation or, meditation that focuses pay attention to mistakes. – IANS

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

The day ahead will be trying for you, Aries. You will have a fire raging You can look forward to a busy day, Taurus. Don’t schedule anything It’s easy to imagine a friend coming to your house to have a cup of inside. You may have a speech to deliver or a private performance extra! Your home, family, or mate is likely to demand a great deal of coff ee and ending up transmitting all of their energy to you. Let’s to put on for your loved ones. In any case, you will have to prove you. In fact, your energy may be stretched to the breaking point, so hope this doesn’t happen too late in the evening, Gemini, because yourself, and you will spare no energy in the attempt. You will be be careful to keep some strength in reserve. If you give yourself to you will then have trouble going to sleep! This energy is going to completely drained by the end of the day. Plan to rest. them completely, your nerves will be shot! give your projects a great boost. You’re going to go on a crusade! Choose carefully. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

You may feel an urgent need to use your physical energy, which A day like today should give you the perfect demonstration of an Do you have a desire to take a trip far from where you live, Virgo? brings up the question of sports in your life, Cancer. Do you get old truth - people quickly forget the diff iculties they’ve had in life Would you like to live in Europe or Asia? These are desires that you enough exercise? If not, this could be a good time to join a gym. and remember periods of happiness for a long time. You will be may have at the moment because you’re in the process of widening Even better would be participating in a group sports activity. Find brimming with energy, Leo. The question now is what are you going your field of possibilities. See if you can seriously set up a project of one you like and get moving. to do with it? There are many domains in which you could expend this kind. People will be confident in your solidity at the moment. your energy. You have to start from scratch. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

What’s happening in your usually amicable relationships, Libra? There are moments when everyone strongly feels where their After a few days of apathy, the day ahead will give your energy a It seems you’re looking for a fight. Could it be that someone has destiny lies, Scorpio, and today will be one of those moments. You new boost. Anyone who tries to hold you back had better watch out, stolen a leadership position from you that you wanted? You tend to may soon want to give your life a fundamentally diff erent orientation Sagittarius, because you won’t be in the mood to tolerate objections. like being at the head of the group, and now you’re confronted by that will be valid for several years. It isn’t just your profession that You can’t be restrained! This is an excellent time to reinforce your resistance. So get involved in a new group project so that everyone will be aff ected but every domain in your life - where you live, reputation as an excellent coach or the captain of your crew! will be reconciled. Think about going on a trip. relationships, and children. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Today you may be influenced by a person (probably a man) who You may have had a tendency to go about your daily routine The day will be fairly eventful, Pisces. There’s some likelihood that exudes the kind of determination that is produced by a combination lethargically lately, Aquarius. But today the alarm clock wakes you you will feel compelled to finally settle some tedious matter, either of spiritual and intellectual strength and faith. This is what they’re up. You may understand that your help is urgently needed and the details of a project or a problem concerning your domestic life. talking about when people speak of a leader of great integrity. The there’s no time to waste. You can expect to pour a great deal of You won’t rest until it’s finished, and you won’t be distracted, no encounter with this person is likely to inspire you to commit to some energy into a single, well-defined goal. If you usually wander from matter how you’re cajoled to join the others. The only thing that will good work, perhaps a charity. project to project, this will be a change for you. matter to you will be solving this problem. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

ABBA SUPREMES KINKS FACES BEE GEES WINGS SPINNERS HOLLIES DOORS BEACH BOYS T REX OSMONDS FOUR TOPS BLONDIE EAGLES STEELY DAN JETHRO TULL QUEEN BEATLES WHO GENESIS CARPENTERS

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 4 Plans to produce starch (6) 1 Course for 99 in college (6) 8 A cricket ground for the 2 A wreath of flowers for Judy? aristocracy (5) (7) 9 Instrument making some 3 Support for an artist (5) kaleidoscopic colours (7) 5 Replacement for the acre! (7) 10 Man left in - he made people 6 Woman distributing hoard (5) laugh (7) 7 Many small kernels (6) 11 Stagger from a labyrinth (5) 9 Poor female swan on river 12 Irishmen name passenger steamship (9) ships (9) 13 He appears in panto, but put 17 Sailor a foot nearer the stern on weight (7) (5) 14 Agrees with boringly 19 X, defined by the crossword orthodox people (7) setter - that’s what we hear in 15 On the border a month of bar (7) malicious damage (6) 21 Food for stolen animals (3,4) 16 Woolly garment for a cow? 22 Slip back over river for (6) daggers (5) 18 Current tour without upper- 23 Slough produces gold in class thespian (5) bulk (6) 20 A tree that’s cared about (5) 24 On Friday satellite TV is lively (6)

Answers Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY SHOWBIZ Italian cuts and ethnic Pakistani works make stellar statement

Glitz & Glam

By Muhammad Asad Ullah

work was sent to her in Italy, where the fi nal garments were stitched. Tedious but worth-it, socially and commercially. Stella’s collection at FPW featured waisted sundresses in crisp stripes, logoed sports jersey with slim tailoring — bright embroideries and even brighter prints. Her sense of shape and silhouette is her most exciting calling card. These were happy summer clothes, with circle- skirted dresses, puff -sleeved blue and white shirting, off -the-shoulder necklines and tiered skirts — it was the best collection that went on the runway of FPW this season, and the best how she employed ethnic INDIGENOUS FASHION IN FOCUS: Stella Jean recently showcased her collection employing Kalash embroideries, from the remote valleys of the Chitral values with modern silhouettes; region of Pakistan, at Milan Fashion Week earlier last month and then at Fashion Pakistan Week Winter Festive 19. spot-on trend-wise for the season. The colourful stitching wrapped hink of ethnic wear, those ethnic places, place orders, fashion is fi nally gaining some embroideries, from the remote around dresses, adorned belts, and and the fi rst natural corporate ethnic designs in their ground on international platform valleys of the Chitral region of decorated the hemlines of Jean’s association is a growing collections and don’t even give thanks to Stella Jean, an Italian Pakistan, at Milan Fashion Week summer dresses. tribe of indie labels enough credit to those skilled designer. earlier last month and then at Jean’s multicoloured canvas that have extended ethnic workers. This type of cultural Jean should be more than proud Fashion Pakistan Week Winter served as an apt homage to the theirT pared-down sensibility and appropriation, where labels draw of her ability to use her fashion for Festive 19. Stella herself lived beauty and skill that is inherent to sustainable mindset to traditional from deep-rooted design codes good. Her activism goes far beyond in Chitral for about two weeks Pakistan. The Kalash embroideries silhouettes. without crediting the culture they slogan tees and hashtags and actually to learn about the embroidery stood out as did the truck-art prints. The line between inspiration and are taking them from, is particularly incites economic and social change. techniques women use to adorn The well structured white dress adoption is often blurred, especially harmful to indigenous people, who With her penchant for ethical their dresses before collaborating with its swathes of layers and blue in fashion. Nobody knows this better have been, and continue to be, fashion, Stella had previously worked with Chitral Women’s Handicraft embroidered border and peeking than the ethnic community, whose marginalised — rather invisible for with artisans from other countries, Centre, founded by the 22-year-old blue leaves, worn by model Mushk consecrated prints, hand-burnished the world. In these dark days, one intermingling their craft with her Karishma Ali for the collection, Kaleem, was the highlight. leatherwork, and beaded appliqués good thing about fashion is the way design sensibility. Now, she decided in her endeavour to help build an But, in a room full of people and embroideries have been imitated young designers are using their that she wanted to work with the Italy-Pakistan bridge. The women in donning the staples, how do you by local and international fashion platforms to enlighten, and to eff ect craftswomen of the Kalash. Kalash embroidered fabric according make yourself stand out? Jean’s piece houses for centuries. Often it even positive change. Stella recently showcased her to her instructions, patterns and is ideal for a woman who likes to keep happens, that designers travel to Thankfully, Pakistani indigenous collection employing Kalash sketches and then their fi nished it traditional yet make a statement. Wednesday, November 13, 2019 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

Yami Gautam opens up about her complex as a kid

Bollywood actress Yami Gautam plays a pivotal role in the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Bala, which talks of the self-acceptance and questions the yardstick of beauty set by society. The actress says as a teenager she had her share of struggle with her personality and physical appearance. “During my growing-up days, I was very skinny and everyone would tell me I was weak because I was tiny. Being a Punjabi from Chandigarh, I was surrounded by girls who were wide-structured and, in comparison, I would look weak. I ate everything to gain weight but I didn’t realise my body structure was narrow. Once my mother noticed such a thing THROWBACK: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol seen in the 1993 film . was upsetting me, she said, ‘never ever think that you GROWING UP: Yami Gautam says as a teenager she are weak just because you are skinny. You are a strong struggled with her personality and physical appearance. Kajol gets quirky as Baazigar clocks 26 years girl. One day, you will see how strong and beautiful you are,” Yami told IANS. premature balding, which gives him low self-esteem The 1993 Diwali release Baazigar was one of Shah Rukh Khan’s earliest Yami said her mother’s words helped her deal with because society makes fun of him and people call him blockbusters. Abbas-Mustan’s thriller, co-starring Kajol and Shilpa the issue that was otherwise created by society. “takla”. Ayushmann and Yami apart, the fi lm also stars Shetty, is still remembered for the dialogue “Haar kar jeetne waale ko Being a celebrity, public speaking is a part of her Bhumi Pednekar. Yami plays a model and social media baazigar kehte hai” and its music, besides SRK’s antihero avatar. lifestyle today but Yami says she was once an introvert sensation named Pari, who is also a brand ambassador The fi lm completed 26 years on Tuesday, and Kajol shared a quirky child, adding that she had stage fright. of a fairness cream. boomerang video on Instagram, ushering a wave of nostalgia. “I remember I had to recite a poem in school. I While the character appears to be eye-candy, at In the video, Kajol is seen winking her left eye to the beats of the fi lm’s went in prepared but when I was on stage in front of the end of the fi lm, her character raises an important superhit song, Yeh kaali kaali aankhein. a room-full of audience, I froze. I was nervous and question on self-acceptance. “Oops! still don’t have black eyes... #26YearsOfBaazigar,” she wrote. God knows how I just uttered those lines and ran “She is a loud and over-the-top character, but deep Baazigar was the fi rst of many blockbusters that SRK and Kajol would away. That was me as a grown-up child. So, yes, I had down she mirrors an important part of the society. see at the box-offi ce over the years to come, and the fi lm also marked to work hard to overcome such a thing, because as She is the question that we need to ask, as to why Shilpa’s Bollywood debut. an actor I am supposed to be free, I should not have we see ourselves through the lens of society when it The fi lm is broadly based on a 1991 British thriller titled A Kiss Before inhibitions. Most of the feedback I have received comes to appearance and the defi nition of beauty, and Dying. (for Bala) is that I was very uninhibited,” shared the why do we question ourselves instead of practising Baazigar chronicled the story of a young man, played by Shah Rukh, actress. self-acceptance,” pointed out Yami, who made her who takes an unusual route to unleash vendetta on a tycoon (Dalip The story of Bala revolves around the struggles mark with her roles in Vicky Donor, Kaabil, and Uri: Tahil), who had destroyed his parents. of a young man, played by Ayushmann, to deal with The Surgical Strike. – IANS The fi lm also featured Rakhee and Johnny Lever.– IANS Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson snub Scorsese’s Marvel criticism ctors Chris Evans and of movies, or smaller movies, Scarlett Johansson because the theatre is taken up have opened up about by huge blockbusters’. It made me the on-going debate think about how people consume over the Marvel brand content now, and how there’s Aof superhero fi lms, which started been this huge sea change with after Hollywood auteur Martin their viewing experience,” added Scorsese criticised the genre saying the actress, who will soon be seen these fi lms shouldn’t be considered in standalone Black Widow film. as cinema. To this, Evans added: “I think Although Evans and Johansson original content inspires creative did not mention Scorsese’s name, content. I think new stuff is what they alluded to the fi lmmaker’s keeps the creative wheel rolling. I recent argument saying that such just believe there’s room at the table notions were old-fashioned, for all of it. It’s like saying a certain disappointing and sad. type of music isn’t music. Who are In the Marvel Cinematic you to say that?” Universe, Evans plays Captain Evans and Johansson starred America and Johansson is seen as together in Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow. which has become the highest- “It’s interesting because a couple grossing movie of all time. of people in the past couple of days “We’ve been trying to organise have mentioned to me that a couple this Avengers vacation,” Evans said, of extremely esteemed directors adding: “We deserve a little victory have been really vocal about how lap. It’s not just wonderful because the whole Marvel universe and you get to be a part of a pop culture big blockbusters are really like phenomenon, the same way Star ‘despicable’ and ‘the death of Wars impacted me. But I think what cinema’. At fi rst I thought that really will stay with me is the fact seems kind of old-fashioned, and that the people we got to work with, SUCCESSFUL: In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Evans plays Captain America and Scarlett Johansson is seen somebody had to explain to me, truly there is not a bad apple in the as Black Widow. because it seemed so disappointing bunch.” and sad in a way,” variety.com Last month, Scorsese spoke parks”. Since his initial remarks, comments, and added: “What’s as variations on a finite number of quoted Johansson as saying. with Empire magazine about Scorsese repeated the “theme not there is revelation, mystery themes.” “They said, ‘I think what his views towards the Marvel parks” analogy at the BFI or genuine emotional danger. Other veteran filmmakers these people are saying is that movies, expressing that he London Film Festival. Nothing is at risk. The pictures who have criticised the Marvel at the actual theatre, there’s not regards them as “not cinema” In a New York Times op- are made to satisfy a specific set brand of cinema are Francis Ford a lot of room for different kinds and likens them to “theme ed, Scorsese went back to his of demands, and they are designed Coppola and Ken Loach. —IANS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, November 13, 2019 COMMUNITY

EXPLORE AND LEARN: Whether you travel to the next county or around the world, moving out of your comfort zone or everyday routine will enhance your family’s understanding of our world. Why it’s important to travel with family

By Lynn O’Rourke Hayes New survey reveals holiday travel planning trends

e can all be grateful One of the busiest travel seasons of the year is right for the opportunity around the corner. As the holiday season approaches, to travel. Here are new research from the Travel Channel reveals insight into fi ve reminders of why the travel plans and preferences of Americans —most exploring the world importantly, how many of them are planning to take an Wwith our family matters. end-of-year vacation. Clearly, US travellers have been saving vacation days. 1. You’ll see the world through the The Travel Channel survey found that 67% of Americans eyes of a child. plan to use vacation days and/or paid time off to hit the Travel with a child and you can’t help road this holiday season. Nearly a quarter of these travelers but slow down, to see things diff erently. (24 percent) are planning to travel for longer than six days. You’ll share their delight in all things Forty-two percent of respondents said that they are bright, colourful and on the move. travelling to their hometowns to visit family and friends, You’ll notice the ladybug on the leaf and while 48% indicated that they are travelling elsewhere. the helicopter overhead. You’ll discover Get ready for busy roadways during Thanksgiving and new textures and notice the fragrance winter breaks. The vast majority of travelers (72 percent) of fl owers. (Because little people will.) said that they will drive to their destinations. Forty-four Chances are their sweet smiles will be percent are planning to travel by air. conversation starters and you’ll share The holidays don’t come cheap. The Travel Channel stories and experiences with other research showed that nearly one-third (28 percent) are parents and grandparents. No matter planning to spend in excess of $500 on the trip. where you wander, you’ll be creating TRAVEL WITH KIDS: No matter where you wander, you’ll be creating memories that Many (27 percent) are travelling with family while one in memories that will last long after the will last longer with your children. 10 travellers are travelling to a vacation destination with a strollers are stowed and the price of signifi cant other or friends. their participation matches yours. face. Whether you breathe deeper, shuttle bus. It’s an opportunity to Mariel Clark, vice president of digital video and editorial exercise more or simply unplug, encourage understanding, compassion for the Travel Channel, provided a number of tips. 2. You’ll learn something new. chances are you’ll feel renewed and and kindness in the next generation For families travelling in groups, she advises keeping Why not use your next vacation have a more relaxed connection with of world travedlers. And by choosing options open: to learn a new sport or explore a new family members. Opt for beach time, to plan a family vacation, you are “When travelling with a large group or multiple hobby? Will you strap on skis for a backcountry ski adventure, resort communicating that time with family generations, not everyone will be interested in the same the fi rst time, climb into the saddle time, or a cruise through unfamiliar is a top priority. activities. Be sure to allow for some time to divide and or make your way to the pickle ball waters and your whole crew will conquer, giving everyone the space for their must-see court? Tap into the early interest your return home recharged and ready to 5. You’ll broaden your activities,” she said. child may be showing for art, music or tackle the challenges of daily family perspectives. Involving older kids in travel plans is also a smart move, history by visiting museums, opting life. Whether you travel to the next noted Clark. for last minute tickets to a Broadway county or around the world, “If travelling with a teenager, make them a stakeholder show or checking out a living history 4. You’ll share your values with moving out of your comfort zone or in the trip by having them pick activities they’ll enjoy, too,” performance. Who knows? While in the next generation. everyday routine will enhance your she said. the midst of it you may learn about As you wind your way through family’s understanding of our world. Streamlining your gear is a good way to make travelling new apps, some up to date lingo or the traffic jams, wrangle the lines at TSA Appreciate the language, dress, with small children a breeze. latest fashion trends from your young checkpoints or process the news recreational and culinary differences “If travelling with a young child, downsize your bulky travelling companions. that your luggage is lost, you’ll be and similarities of your fellow global stroller for a simple umbrella stroller to travel — it’s easier modelling how best to handle life’s citizens when you venture into new to carry, tote and pack,” said Clark. 3. Your stress levels will lower. small challenges. They’ll be watching territory. Make an effort to see the “Pack by outfi ts, especially for younger kids,” she added. There is plenty of research how you respond to delayed flights view through the eyes of locals. “Try co-ordinating pants, shirts, underwear and socks in indicating that a change of scenery and how you treat those who serve And observe how a friendly smile is a stack together with PJs. Repeat for the number of days in and a break from the daily demands your family meals, restore order in welcome currency in nearly every the trip and add extras like jackets, as needed.” –TNS of work will put a smile on your your hotel room or drive the airport corner of the world. —TNS