Qatar - a rich country, global corporations, oil, skyscrapers, ordinary Qataris people under the rule of royal family do not pay taxes. Country with smaller area than Sydney got the right to host the World Cup in football - never mind that the football is not in interest here, as an Islamic country you can’t consume alcohol outside, that in sweaty July virtually it’s impossible to play football – they don’t have to like football, alcohol is fans problem, and they can install the air condition on the stadiums - it's important that the money is here.
For me, Qatar, or rather its capital Doha, is the money without a soul. Style you can’t buy.

The positive side is certainly the safety, because it is probably one of the most peaceful places on earth.

highlights - I limited myself only to visit the country's capital, Doha. I had 20 hours time between flights, I think half of that would be completely enough. Because I like to walk and I had plenty of time I visited Doha on foot - 32 km of peaceful march. I was aware that in the city free bus runs (but not to/from the airport), but the option to explore from the coach’s window wasn’t for me. Although from the beginning I even considered renting a car for a day, but without a specific plan where to go in Qatar, I gave up - rent a car at the airport for one day would cost 140 R (28 €), the cost of fuel is marginal.

After leaving the airport I turned right and walked straight ahead along the road. After passing the first intersection I had the sea on the right side. After about 2.5 km (30 min) I passed a beautiful building next to the water – it’s a museum of Islamic art (open from 10 to 17.30 - that was beyond my reach in this part of town). A little further on a semicircular bay begins the harbour with the wooden boats, which offers a panorama of modern Doha with its skyscrapers. Going from the harbour into the land for two intersections, we’ll find ourselves in the old part of the city, Souq Waqif - scenic, well-maintained old buildings, cobbled streets, local markets and stalls. Nice, but a bit touristy. However, a great place in the evening, you can watch local folklore, especially with accompaniment of the muezzin calls.

Then I went to the district of skyscrapers, El Corniche. It is only 4 km walk along the pleasant promenade. I admired the original skyscrapers, some quite impressive. There in the park I got a nap under the tree, and I was surprised that I was cold in the shade of a palm tree - February is not too hot month. I went to the department store for lunch, because in this district there is not much to buy.

Then I just was killing time by several hours aimlessly walk. I was getting lost in purpose. I finally lost myself for good. And the discovery of the ordinary city districts had its good points, except that there is not much space for pedestrians - often lack of paths. The cheapest shops with food I found near the old part of the city, but outside the tourist center.

Visas: With only a few hours transfer in Qatar, you get a yellow sticker on a ticket and baggage - that means they'll drop us in the departure terminal . I asked for a ride to the blue zone, this is the arrivals terminal . There I waited in queue for a visa. When I approached the Immigration officer I started the conversation with Arabic greeting "Sallam Alleikum". This immediately results in a kind of mutual respect , break the ice. I asked about the possibility of visiting the city, as I had 20 hours time for my flight. The officer asked me for a hotel booking (theoretically this is a required thing), but of course I did not have any, as my flight was in the middle of the night . He was thinking, then asked me if I have a credit card - in that way I got a 30 day visa to Qatar . Cost 100 R (20 € ) .

Theoretically, if we are staying between 8 and 24 hours in Qatar Airways transfer, the airline guarantee us a visa and hotel. However, only under the condition that there is no previous flight to our destination (I was excluded of it as I had an earlier flight to Warsaw, but I decided on the next one). Apparently (news from the internet, but on Qatar Airways website is nothing about it) it also depends on the type of ticket, promotional tickets are not covered by this privilege. This, however, I do not know for sure.
Another thing is that eight hours transfer might be not between landing and take-off, but between the landing and the "boarding time", which is the official gate closing time, usually from 30-60 minutes prior to departure.
Note - The arrival is on the arrival terminal, but the departure is from a different place - departure terminal, over 2 km away (going out of town).

Doha Airport and Qatar Airways: I also read on the internet about meal coupons - unfortunately Qatar Airways staff told me that it’s over, they don’t supply with it anymore. Despite this, in the cafeteria a lot of people were queuing with such coupons. Even when my flight was delayed by four hours, I didn’t receive any food.
Reason for 4 -hour delay - foggy in Warsaw. Well, my friend had landed in Polish capital at the same time, and somehow he didn’t have a problem - could Qatar Airways staff making up the stories with excuses?
Finally when the plane took off we were given to eat ... two cookies! The flight attendant explained that the flight is officially scheduled at 2 am (even though it was already close to 7 am), so the breakfast will be served at the end of the flight, in our case before noon. Imagine a plane full of hungry Poles. The delay in the flight didn’t cause any changes in meals strategies - for me there is no drama, but why Qatar Airways calls themselves 5 star airline?

Doha airport - everywhere tiles on the floor, no place for warm sleep. There are two special sections with the half- lying seats, where you can get some sleep. There is no TV - I wanted to see the Champions League matches (on my way back, where I had six hours at the airport), but the country that will organize the World Cup is not really interested in football. Fortunately there is free Wi-Fi, and even 5 computers from telecommunications company.
I don’t remember good this airport – I had delayed plane without the possibility of lie down on ground or on chairs, no meals coupons (rice with sauce cost me 30 R (6 €)), without being able to watch the football, but the worst is not helpful airport service – I asked for one page pdf print from my USB or email – I needed my boarding card for the next flight - no one wanted to help me, everywhere I was sent back, nobody wanted to spend two minutes for a passenger in need. In the end, the boy from telecommunication did me a favor, for which he asked to be paid donation, but my 3 R change I had didn’t satisfy him and he changed me a bigger bill and took himself 10 R (2 € ) - for the one page printing. Thanks Doha, amazing people ;)