Welcome to Qatar, Porky!!!!!!

Yaaayyyy!!!!!! Finally, the wait is over! There had been rumors going around for years on when pork will finally be available in Qatar. I arrived here in 2000 and talks about pork being available started I think even before the Doha Asian Games in 2006. Well, it seems a lot of shops have tried to carry the product, I even remember the time when the Megamart in The Center was supposed to be Spinney's and everybody got excited because Spinney's carry the product around the region. But for some reason, they were not able to get the license and eventually, Spinney's became Megarmart. And when Spinney's opened at the mall, well... nowbody got excited ---- there was no talk about pork.

And now finally, the long wait is over. When talks again spread mid of 2011, I really didn't bother to get the details, to it was just that again, talks. And since our house seldom run out of pork, so I didn't mind really :)
And the talks became louder and louder, specifics have been included, as to the date, supplier and how it can be purchased, so it really sounded good this time. It was on Facebook last Sunday when I learned that pork had definitely arrived! Seems everybody in Doha have been talking about it. And I must admit, it really is a thrill specially for me whose cooking have been kind of limited to chicken and beef dishes. Now, more experiments can happen! And so yesterday, the Expat Daddy and I just couldn't stop ourselves, we just had to experience it ourselves. Hmmm... don't get too excited now... it almost is heaven, but not yet there, hehe!
I'ts semi-heaven, hehe! We just learned that at the moment only bacon and sausage are available. But frozen pork will come by next week. But we weren't really so disappointed, we are very breakfast-sy family and we so love breakfast all day. And so we had a very early breakfast during dinner last night! hehe! We just can't wait anymore, specially when it's been so long since the girls have had pork bacon, which they soooooo love! We don't mind if it takes longer for the other pork cuts to come, we're too happy with the bacon and sausages as it is :)

And unfortunately the products are being retailed through the QDC, which you Qatar peeps would know is the liquor shop. And so a bit of a bad news there at the moment, the pork products can only be availed by those who has got a liquor license. :(
When we got there at around 6pm last night, the place was packed and everyone was heading to the freezers.  It was kind of a funny site with most of the Pinoys taking photos of them holding the sausages and bacons, hehe! I got to talk with one of the Filipino staff there and asked for some details. Of course I could not say that it is verified information, but he told me that eventually pork would be available to the public once their shop at The Pearl opens. So, all hope is not lost yet. He told me that the The Pearl shop would not require a Liquor permit to enter, unlike the this first shop where permits are checked the moment you enter their premises, a no permit no entry zone.  
Hmmm... what I don't know is, if at the moment, it is illegal to share the pork products the same way it is illegal to share liquor. I mean, from what I learned, pork is available to the public, the only catch is, how can you purchase if you cannot enter the shop itself right? :)
And for those permit holders, who doesn't seem to mind sharing, you may buy for your friends (as long as it is confirmed it is not illegal) because they also said that the amount you purchase for the food products will not be taken against your monthly quota. 
So well... for this Christmas, let's love, love, love, share, share, share! Let this be a very porky Christmas for all of us! 


Ooops! Before I forget, they're also negotiating with San Miguel for the Pinoy Tender Juicy-ies :)




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