Two Girls, One Desert: Our Upcoming Qatar Adventure
If you had asked me 2 weeks ago if Qatar was on my 2025 bingo card I would have said: “Where’s Qatar??” Fast forward to today and I’m researching about a desert wonderland in the Middle East full of glittering skylines, golden dunes and some pretty big cultural curveballs.
The crazy thing is, I’ve been saying I want to be more spontaneous, and more adventurous when it comes to travel . . . but I didn’t think the universe would actually call my bluff (and so soon)! But then my friend Sarah stopped by the shop and casually dropped that she had a gig in Qatar - with a plus one. And then she said the magic words: “Wanna come?”
One minute I was googling “Where is Qatar?” and the next, I was mentally packing my bags. And just like that, it went from a blip on the map to my next big adventure.
But I’m not just packing sunscreen and flowy dresses; I’m also bringing curiosity, humility and a genuine desire to understand a culture that’s so different from my own. I thought I would share what I’m learning, questioning and obsessively Googling as I get ready to explore a new country.
Think of it as a thought provoking girls’ trip … with a side of camel rides.
QATAR
What I Thought I Knew + The Inspiration that Followed
During the first few days after getting invited, I’ll be honest - I pictured oil money, five-star hotels and possibly getting kicked out of the country for showing my ankles. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn’t want to show up blinded by Western stereotypes, unprepared or (to be real) in danger of being that tourist.
So, I did what any curious (and slightly panicked) person would do - I opened 27 browser tabs and went on a Qatar deep dive. Somewhere between Googling “Qatari dress code” and “will I melt in the desert?,” I realized my biggest curiosity wasn’t about etiquette or weather - it was about the women.
As someone who's building a new consulting business all about helping women feel empowered and thrive on their own terms, I couldn’t stop wondering: What does that look like in Qatar?
How do women lead, succeed and express power in a place that plays by such different rules? I had to wonder - were my assumptions about women in Qatar totally off?
Spoiler: yes, and what I discovered was way more inspiring than I expected.
Reading about Qatari women reminded me that strength and feminism can be expressed in beautifully diverse ways.
Empowerment isn’t always loud, or wearing a blazer and heels. Sometimes empowerment whispers, not shouts and shows up in a scarf, not a suit.
Qatari women are highly educated, hold ministerial and ambassadorial positions and are active in government advisory roles. There’s a growing ecosystem for female entrepreneurs and they’re redefining what it means to be modern and empowered within the framework of their culture and faith. For many Qatari women, faith, family, modesty and tradition are not constraints, but sources of strength. They are raising families with fierce pride and zero apologies.
That being said, empowerment there exists in a complex reality. Legal and cultural constraints still limit women’s choices in areas like travel, marriage and workplace equality. While some women are shattering glass ceilings, others still face societal pressures that keep their ambitions boxed in. Progress is real, but so are the barriers.
And yet, that contrast is exactly what makes it so compelling.
What a powerful opportunity to find fresh inspiration from women who live, lead and thrive in ways that challenge my own assumptions.
That’s the kind of energy I want to soak up.
HOW I’M PREPARING
What’s in My Bag (and My Brain)
So now that I’ve ditched the outdated assumptions and started digging into the real Qatar, I’m ready to show up curious, open and respectful. That means doing more than just Googling “cute desert outfits” (although yes, I definitely did that too!!).
1.Respecting the Dress Code + Packing Light
Qatar is a modest country and while I don’t have to cover my hair as a visitor, it is expected that women cover their shoulders, cleavage and knees in public spaces. Swimwear is okay at the resort (my Left on Friday bikini is coming!), but not in public spaces. Light linens, flowy pants and dresses, gauzy scarfs and a few bandanas are coming with.
2. The Heat is Real. Like, Desert Real
May in Qatar? Let’s just say it’s not sweater weather. I’m preparing for extreme temperatures, which means hydration, SPF that could block out emotional damage and a deep commitment to shade. Electrolyte packs are coming with and finding a juice bar will be on the agenda!
3. Navigating Gender Norms Without Stressing
Qatar has clear norms around gender interactions. Nothing extreme, just a reminder to keep things polite and professional. Public displays of affection are a no-go (not an issue, I’m going with a friend) and women are sometimes offered female-only spaces, which honestly feels kind of cool.
4. Respect for Religion
Islam is a big part of daily life in Qatar, and that deserves respect, whether I’m religious or not. From the call to prayer to values that shape public life, I want to stay observant, not oblivious. I’ve learned a bit about mosque etiquette, how Ramadan impacts routines (even though it won’t be during my trip) and I’m brushing up on a few Arabic phrases - because even a simple “thank you” in someone else’s language shows respect.
WHAT I’M MOST EXCITED FOR
Thoughtful travel prep is key, but let’s not forget why I said yes to this trip!
Because it sounded like an adventure.
Because it came out of nowhere.
Because my new friend Sarah asked, “Wanna come?” and every part of me screamed, YES!
I’m excited to explore a desert I’ve never seen. To dune bash across golden sand like I’m in a movie montage (sunscreen absolutely melting off my face). To ride a camel, eat something I can’t pronounce and stand in a place where the skyline looks like the future and the traditions run deep.
I’m excited to say yes to the unexpected.
To feel a little out of place.
To find inspiration in unfamiliar details.
I’ve got this feeling that the women I’ll observe, the places I’ll visit and the rhythm of daily life in Qatar are going to spark something creatively. Maybe for my business, maybe for myself. Sometimes you need to shake up your surroundings to shake something loose inside you.
And most of all, I’m excited to share this experience with someone new. There’s something special about traveling with a fresh friend. It’s all discovery, no baggage, just two curious humans saying “let’s go” to something wild and totally out of the ordinary.
So no, Qatar wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card, but I’m thinking that’s the magic of it. This trip isnt just a getaway, it’s a chance to learn, to listen explore and maybe even come back a little different than when I left. A little more open, a little more inspired. A little more me.
Here’s to saying yes to unexpected invitations, to showing up with curiosity and to discovering new corners of the world - and yourself - one camel ride at a time.
XO, Andrea