Doha to Bangkok

We're Not in Kansas Anymore:

Walking off my flight, this board was one of the first obvious signs I was outside the States. I was grateful English was on all signage, but this part of the airport was desolate and I still had zero idea where to go. Thankfully both signs were pointing in the same direction.

Hamad International Airport

Before my layover in Doha, Qatar, I was unaware of this world-class airport. It's currently in the running for BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for 2024. The shopping and fine dining were impressive to this sleep-deprived Yank, but I was most intrigued by the permanent and temporary art installations. Travellers who have an 8-hour layover can take part in 1-2 of 3 guided tours through Doha: Cultural and Art, Desert and Inland Sea, or Golf. If your layover is under 8 hours but more than 4 hours, they offer a guided art tour in this massive art gallery airport! They also offer an airport Squash or Golf option. Sadly, my layover was just under 2 hours, so I was unable to take part in any tours. Next time!

Cultural Gems Waiting to Be Discovered:

This is one of those valuable travel lessons. What we always see and do becomes invisible to us; walking through an airport in Qatar is anything but invisible. Sure the language was foreign to me, but there were smoking and prayer rooms, shopping centers larger than some of our own department stores, and products familiar to us at home with a myriad of facelifts.

Departing Gates:

Once I'd visited the restroom, grabbed a snack, and rushed to my gate, I had over an hour to settle in. After I'd checked my ticket and the gate number 320 times, I started to relax and took note that there weren't any obvious gates. Cue another rush of panic.

• I'm going to be stuck in Qatar because I don't know how to read their gates.

• But it SAID GATE 1.

As I soon found out, at Hamad, there's a waiting area above all the departure gates. They start calling folks to the gate an hour before loading. They check your bags, your tickets, handle any special requests or concerns, then usher you into a room that exits at your gate. You may share that room with another flight, but it keeps the bulk of the bodies out of the main thoroughfares and feels a lot like what cattle probably feels like.

Qatar Airlines:

This airport is home to the airline I was flying for the longest leg of the flight. I was fan-girling all over the deep plum uniforms. The flight attendants were beautiful and flawless. Every guest received a goody bag on their chair (even in Economy). It included a small pillow, blanket, toothbrush, toothpaste, earbuds, and an eye mask. But really, those flight attendants look like movie stars. So beautiful.