Doha Stories and Tips  Local Souks  Local Souq Photo, Doha,
Qatar  Shopping in Qatar is a great experience. Whether you go
to a large shopping mall with brand-name stores, or to a local
souk, you never know what you’re going to see.  The word "souk"
(pronounced sook) means bazaar or market and are similar to a
U.S. flea market. There are several souks around town, each one
with a different name. Vendors sell everything from clothes to
toys, tools, spices, perfume, cosmetics, candy, jewelry, brass,
gold, incense, or anything else you can think of, and the value
can’t be beat.  In the old days, souks were outside, and
consisted of narrow walkways and alleys, where vendors hocked
their wares. Nowadays, you can still find the alleyways, but
newer parts have been added on. Areas with marble floors, air
conditioning and escalators. It’s like walking from one extreme
to the other.  I was in the old area, no marble floors, and I
noticed there were NO women shopkeepers. Only men. Even in the
women’s area where women’s