kuwait post

Rubbish in Mirgab

2010-03-13T09:37:00.001-08:00

Gambling in Kuwait? Prohibited or allowed?
2010-03-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

Gambling in Kuwait? Prohibited or allowed?

Today I have been to Kuwait city by bus. While I was waiting for my bus I have
started walking around Mirgab surrounding area. I have seen one crowed of people
and first I have ignored. Few minutes later I became bit of curious about crowed and I have asked myself why these people are so busy keeping their eyes down looking inside.
Anyway I have put my phone camera on walked near the crowed pretending to be typing something on the phone. I have managed to take some photographs without letting anybody know Iam taking photos. Unluckily inside photos I don’t know what happened to them.
Inside they had one piece of card board with few numbered boxes from 2-6. Four people sitting on the ground for collecting cash and giving cash. One of them were doing double
Duty collecting / giving cash and throwing dice. Another person standing and managing the whole game. I have spent about an hour watching this gambling and surprised to know they have done business in hundreds kuwaiti dinars.
Later I have found out there are other members of the gang keeping an eye on the surroundings of this place.
I have really felt very sorry for some of those poor Indian Bengali and Pakistanis who lost money in gambling. Someone told me it happens in other places as well during lunch hours.

Noisy Air conditioning Fans Of Franklin Installed by cowboys

2010-03-01T05:39:00.000-08:00

How do you feel if you are sleeping under roof with 32 big noisy fans running whole night without any break? It is not manufacturers fault but people who installed them they thinks they are more intelligent than the manufacturers. These units are sold and installed in Kuwait by “moassa Al khaleej” Tel: 24733598 & 24769361 Since long time I was complaing to company about problem with air conditioning unit and last year I have decided to go with them on the roof. Their technician opened the fan, told me that thermostat is missing and it is connected directly. How it went missing? You know how? If they have call out for any fault they come and just take out parts from others units and use them to repair. As soon as I heard missing I started shouting and told them no other person comes here apart from your company. Anyway after few arguments they agreed to fit thermostat without any extra cost. Other thing I was on venture to see how their unit looks. I took a ladder and looked inside where they have installed central AC unit. As I have touched the metal unit I got electric shock. Next day I have telephoned the company and told them your units are not earthed. They have called next day and both units connected to the earth wire. Problem with third world countries and Muslim countries there is no concept of safety. Thats why many people die due to minor accidents and negligence of others. Today I have contacted the company to rectify the noise coming from their air conditioning fan units. They just refused to give me name of owner of the company by saying he is Abdul Rasool Sahaf. When I asked them who is working owner they refused to give the name by just saying that guarantee of the units is expired. I would like to tell them if even your guarantee is expired but still you are liable for due to unsafe and dangerous installation. If you are considering to buy or installation of “Franklin” please think twice because they are just cowboys.

One year Kuwaiti sponsorship for 800 KD

2010-02-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

The Middle Eastern countries are places where human trafficking is legal
and protected by their constitutions. I was renting an office with Kuwaiti sponsorship.
After couple of years I have decided to leave the office due to his rent increase and lack of business. When I have told to sponsor about my intensions he asked me to give my passport to make changes. He took my passport and told me or phoned me unless you pay me such amount of money or Iam holding your passport. It was shock to me what he has done. Next day he phoned me and told me if I could meet him. So I went to Fahaheel to see him. He said It is better you take your passport now and pay me half the money he asked for. I think he told to his friends that he took my British passport and not going to give me back unless I pay him money. His friends advised him that you are putting yourself in trouble by holding British passport so it is better for him to return it to me and he gave me back after few days. As soon as he took my passport I told to my family members that I couldn’t come back due to this reason. They have asked our local MP to contact with British foreign office for help.
Now Iam thinking what happens with these third world countries citizens when these sponsors takes their passports and putting them as hostages. You could find thousands examples of this type of cases everywhere in Kuwait and other gulf countries. The whole
Sponsor system is one form of human slavery which is protected by law in the whole gulf region and is against basic human rights.
When my visa was due for renewal I have started to look for sponsor again which was not answering telephone. I have decided to contact the department of employment for change of sponsor. It was another story I better write about it separately. I had to pay about 40 KD (2KD/day) in fine due to late renewal of my visa which was all sponsors fault.
I was at employment office sponsor has phoned me, told me he was on holidays and If you want to renew your visa with me you have to pay me 800Kd / year otherwise I will put you on plane by canceling my visa.
I told him I would like to cancel my visa with you. He came to the employment department signed to cancel my visa. Thanks god I finished this slavery type of sponsorship.
Please share your comment and story if you have one

Post office Kuwait airport

2010-02-07T09:24:00.001-08:00

I have visited this office today to find a packet from the states. I was surprised to see how this post office works like they use to work in 60s or 70s.I think many letters from around the world ends up in the rubbish. This is due to i think there is no proper management in kuwait postal system. No computers in this office.

consumeables watch kuwait

2010-02-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

Following pictures are toilet seats made of chip board and laminated. These toilet seats are not for toilets i think because after few months use you have to replace.
Whenever you buy these type of toilet seats please avoide and go for wooden or even plastic. beaware that chip board products are being sold in kuwait as compressed wood which is not wood at all.

Dangerous Foot Paths Of Kuwait

2010-02-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

This is something on the foot path which is dangerous for foot path users. I tried to figure out actually what it is but my brain didnt work to find the mystry. BY the way it is between mosque near telphone exchange and ajial centre. This type of things on footpaths passageways and on roads needs governments serious attention.

This footpath is in mangaf shopping area behind sultan centre.This is example of most kuwaiti footpaths which are left uncompleted or left witout finishing touches.Dangerous and accomulate rubbish

Newly build unfinished footpath near fintas roundabout

Rumaithia

These pictures are from near rumaithia coop

18-2-2010
These pictures are from near coop Rumaithia

20-2-2010
These are photos of newly built footpaths in fahaheel near multi story car park.
They have built these foot paths recently and some are already broken or left unfinished as usual in kuwait

Rubbish in fintas

2010-01-27T21:01:00.000-08:00

HOw come fintas muncipality office (baladia) is few yards away, see this rubbish everyday and smell of coops rotten stuff every day and taking no action

Fintas COOP old record on the run with wind

Fintas coop old record disposal

without comment

over flowed rubbish from Coop fintas skips

Fintas again near Naif chicken in fintas. Never cleaned this place since years

Royal Bank Of Scotland (RBS)

2010-01-27T10:15:00.000-08:00

Another share on my watch list are Royal Bank Of Scotland (RBS) listed lse

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP PLC ORD 25P

Royal Bank Of Scotland is listed in the FTSE 100, FTSE All-Share, FTSE 350

Royal Bank Of Scotland is part of the Banks sector

52 Week High 58.25 52 Week High Date 28-AUG-2009
52 Week Low 16.80 52 Week Low Date 18-FEB-2009

Todays price is about 33p

warning
Risk warning: Trading in derivatives such as Contracts For Difference may not be suitable for all types of investor. They are generally considered to be suitable only for the more experienced investor as they carry a high degree of risk. The investor may not receive back the amount of their original investment and may be liable for a greater sum than this. Changes in exchange rates may also cause your investment to go up or down in value. If in any doubt, please seek further advice. Tax law may be subject to change. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Post Office Yarmouk

2010-01-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

Tap water quality?

2010-01-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

Water is supplied to houses and flats by pipes or water tankers through taps.Most water is acquired through desalination of sea water.Although desalinated water looks clean and clear but still is not drinkable quality. I have noticed it is full of rust
as my r.o filter shows and salt. This filter has 4 stage cleaning. here is the picture of one used filter out of this r.o filter.

Most third world countries poorly paid workers rely on drinking water tanks "Maa es sabeels" which are everywhere in the Kuwait or tapes in their flats.They are unable to afford bottled water. petrol is cheaper than bottled water and bottled water is affordable for locals and westerners.

Aminex? is it good investment for 2010?

2010-01-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

Aminex (AEX) is london stock exchange listed company. Last year in march 2009 share price was around 4p and yesterdays price is 15.5 p. Aminex is looking for oil in different countries. If it mange to find for example in Egypt. price could double at least. I have bought some in june 2009 at 6p.

52 Week High
15.75
52 Week High Date
11-JAN-2010
52 Week Low
4.38
52 Week Low Date
16-MAR-2009

warning
Risk warning: Trading in derivatives such as Contracts For Difference may not be suitable for all types of investor. They are generally considered to be suitable only for the more experienced investor as they carry a high degree of risk. The investor may not receive back the amount of their original investment and may be liable for a greater sum than this. Changes in exchange rates may also cause your investment to go up or down in value. If in any doubt, please seek further advice. Tax law may be subject to change. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Keifan post & Parcel delivery centre

2010-01-11T09:23:00.000-08:00

Mystry unsolved This photo has taken on 17th of Jan. 2010 at 7.40am
I think this delivery office must be recorded in Guinness book of record for worst service, over staffed with unskilled workers.Anyway this is not my concern whether they are skilled or unskilled because it is up to the management of the postal system but I have funny story to tell you about keifan parcel delivery office which is still mystery unsolved to me till now. I wonder this how many parcels ends up undelivered in this officeone of my friend posted a packet from states during February 2009. I have tracked this parcel on usps website about posting. After couple of weeks later I went to keifan delivery office and asked to check for arrival of the packet. They searched through their papers but they said they couldn’t find it. I have requested the delivery office if I check myself. Thanks for their generosity for allowing to check their records. At last I managed to find tracking number from their records and gave them.Now they started looking for physical packet. At the end they couldn’t find the packet and asked me to go on the first floor in the post office where "mudeer altarood alwardah" is located. Lucky me I found it easily because there was no sign about it.I entered in the office and found there was few ladies staff in the office. I asked one of the ladies about this parcel then she said you could check these files.I checked piles of papers without any success and left the office till next visit.Next week I arrived bit earlier with plenty of time. They opened this office about 8.15 and asked the lady who opened the office. i have asked her to search the packet. After few minutes search she couldn’t find the packet. I asked that lady what is next then if she could suggest something to find this packet. She said best thing is talk to the manager which is "mudeer turood al waridah". I asked her where I could find him. She said here is his office but he is not in. I asked her where he is?I asked her if she could find him for me. It was so nice of her she went out and called this mudeer who was busy in chatting.

Packet posted from states to kuwait in 2009 delivered to Australia in 2008?

Anyway he came in the office and told me have a seat. I asked about the packet. He said let me check it on the computer. I asked him why many parcels failed to reach its destination in the Kuwait while he was busy in fiddling with tracking information on usps website.He replied that sometimes they just send papers only and no packets. Is it possible? He said yes.I told him why in states or uk most well 99.99% packets reaches its destinations without any trouble. I don’t know he gave me some stupid answer to my question which was something arriving post through Dubai something.After few minutes he managed to track my item on line and got print out for me. He said this item was delivered to Australia in august 2008.It shocked me when he said delivered in aug.2008 to Australia.Do you believe on his big lie to get rid of me.After that I asked him to give me his telephone number. He took the paper and wrote his mobile number with his official stamp that’s why I knew he is "mudeer turoodh Al waridah

Now day before yesterday i talked to another gentleman about this parcel and he took my mobile phone and waiting for his response today is 13 of January of 2009. Iam thinking to contact Guinness book of record to put Kuwait post for listing as record holder

This photo has taken on 17th of Jan. 2010 at 7.40am (official working time starts at 7.30am because i posted letters at 7.30am upstair in the post office)
I have found a complaint box at the main entrance and dropped a note for minister of communication as complaint with my contact details.See what happens? I will keep you updated with new developments

18-1-2010
today i have tried to contact again about this parcel and still no success. I will ring them again and see what happens

19-1-2010
I have spoken to Mr.Jassam Al siraj who is director of this department. According to him if foreign post offices ask to return the packages then they return it otherwise they pack undelivered unclaimed packages and give to other government department.I told him according to international postal treaty unclaimed postal items must be returned to its sender. Iam going to call him again at 12 midday. see what else he has to say.

Kuwait Road watch

2009-12-29T22:44:00.000-08:00

This photo is taken from car crash photos . This accident happened in feb 2007 in kuwait.

Kuwait has very good roads network although it needs repairs every year due to some reasons beyond my understanding.During rainy season and after small pieces of flying stones as soon as hit your wind screen chips car screens.I don’t know about others but it has happened to mine twice in couple of years. Driving in Kuwait is like going over the Islamic bridge (jassar al saraat or pul saraat) which is very thin like corona wire and sharper than razor blade.Accident happens every day and it is usual thing and mostly lethal. Many people killed in road accidents. When first time I came to Kuwait most roads had very small signs on the roads with quranic verses. Which were usually installed by relatives of person being killed in road accidents.It was every where on roads in Kuwait but now I think government removed itMany deaths could be avoided just by not using mobile phone while you are driving and by coming out few minutes earlier for your job than speeding to kill someone.Whenever you drive please put in mind if i drive more than legal speed limits it could kill someone this time and next time its going to be me.Please learn to respect other road user which could one way contribute to reduce accident rate in kuwait.please share your views comments and experiences on Kuwaiti roads

1-2-2010

It is usual thing in Kuwait to post advertisements on traffic Road sign. This sign is on Romaithia- Road junction

police station Rumaithia

Road leading to Romaithia car park. Puddle or swimming pool

Environmental friendly police station Rumaithia with vegetable patch in fron garden

this picture is courtsy of bob and his wife both british police officers

newly built roads in aqeelah needs repair

Kuwait Food Watch

2009-12-29T22:26:00.000-08:00

Insect inffected dates
According to lable it is best Iranian Zahidi dates with packiaging date and expirey dates with telephone number of Importer or packaging company. Anyway Iam using these dates since long times not this company but packed by different companies and from saudi arabia.
Since long time i was thinking to write about the problem these dates have is more than 50 percent are with insects.These insects eat from inside and makes powdery shit inside.Anyway i tried to photograph it but not very clear.If you look broken dates it is white from inside and some part is brown.Brown part is eaten and isect shit is there.I will talk to this company post you about their point of view.Also if any side effects of eating insect shit.

Dates with sand
This is packet of dates i bought three of them from coop in kuwait.
could you believe it or not I found sand mixed in it ?
I tried to approach the owner of braka dates and made apointment to visit him. They are based in shweikh industrial in dates market.
I asked him do you have any complaint about your dates because i found sand in your dates. he said no. he has never ever has any complaint. I told him that i found sand in your dates .He said i could exchange it. it was his kindness to change the packets and gave me another . But when i came home i tried to eat it i found out it was same as before.
If you want to sell dates please don't mix harmful stuff in food. There are ways to sell just sand separately . People out there selling sand even Kuwait imports sand as well

These are two boxes are fake tea i think? no colour no taste
although both says one of the best Black Tea and Orange Pekoe With bad Taste I usually bring my pg tips tea bags from the UK. If i run out of it i usually use brooks bonds red label or yellow label from lipton. This time i bought few tea boxes which are not tea at all i think. Although it says on the box one of the best pure ceylon tea.Believe me it is horrible here are pictures of two packings.Now how to load pictures? I totally forgot? Oh i manage to download pictures of tea boxes. now how to bring it down?

Fish with full of oil slick being sold by sultan centre Kuwait

Surprising to know that there is Regional organisation for protection of marine life.

I have spoken to Dr.Thunda Raja? last week and he has told me they will look into this matter.

Today i have approached them and talked to Dr. peter in this organisation and he asked me to send the link of pictures. well done Dr. peter.

If I was in your place I could have gone to sultan centre and bought some fishes for further observations. Is this protection you are offering to marine life in Kuwait? Dear Dr. peter please note my point that marine life in Kuwaiti shores are on decline . If you have any chance to visit any beaches you could find less shells than previous years

It is not only marine life Iam talking about what about people who eat fish? For your information lots of people are suffering from cancer related diseases. this contaminated fish with full of oil slick is one of the cause of cancer in local population

Dr. peter found here fish photographs atlast and took his valuable time to reply me by email.
Interesting to know that according to him his organisations remote sensors have detected no any considerable leak or spill.
Now another mystery to me from where this oil slick came inside fish.
other thing he suggested to report this matter to health department or other government offices to report this incident.
Dr. peter it is very easy to suggest to report to government offices but in practice it is beyond practice. Do you know why?
first of all i have no civil id (Iam visitor) which is first requirement for complaint.
secondly If you go to Kuwaiti government offices you have to waste lot of time waiting to let officials finish their telephone conversation, reading magzine chating and drinking tea or even out busy in shopping etc.

DR. peter you know these government offices or bodies that you suggested me to report now my question is are you willing to take time to report?
Now is there any Kuwaiti government official have read this or seen these pictures? if so please report it to concerned department for further action to safe guard local marine life, birds and local population.

2-2-2010
Today I visited sultan centre mangaf and found out they had no fish in question.
Another thing I found out in one of their freezers all ice cream was liquidy. Are they going to throw it away? no I dont think so because in kuwait there is no any concept of keeping frozen things frozen.If there is any concept it might be be just in the governments concerned offices.
People who deals in frozen food should be traind and given knowledge about frozen food and why it should be kept under certain temperature.
Due to harsh weather in kuwait especialy in summer frozen food left out of freezer at delivery point to enter the shop freezers, thats why most ice lolies are in irregular shapes etc. When next time you buy any frozen food make sure that food is frozen just once in the factory and not defrozen and frozen till it arrives in your freezer.

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Visa on demand at Kuwait Airport

2009-12-27T23:19:00.000-08:00

I arrived on Kuwait airport and headed for visa desk. It was empty without visa seekers.This visa service desk is run by company "Salam". As soon as i arrived i approached to their desk and handed over them the passport and visa application. It is usual thing with me that they delay my application due to my place of birth and name. while I was waiting for this process I thought I better talk to visa officers sitting next to these salam company typists.I approached the desk with smile one officer was on the phone and while he was talking on the phone he took out one paper out of desk sign. This paper was very important for some and not for others.I noticed that paper I was looking for it. I asked that officer don’t you offer this service any more? He pretended that he didn’t understand me. I told him I am waiting here since 15 minutes and he took my passport and left there.He came to the typist table and asked him then he said he is waiting for his response. He told me that please sit and wait. I waited another 15 minutes and still no response. Anyway after long wait they got print out and got my visa paper for another three months.Now what was that important paper?Paper was saying
Visa processing fee KD 3
this service is optional.
After I got my visa i asked that officer that although this service is optional for example if I come straight to you without going through these counters, would you issue me a visa? He said yesNext time i will look for him.Last time i tried this option and took my visa application without these salam people.I approached the counter and i asked the officer on duty, he took my passport and application form and gave it to salam again and said it is ok.Another rip off of these private counters have started new service
Fast track visa service For KD 10
which is unfair, too expensive and injustice to other people in the queue.I wonder why these visa officers couldn’t do direct visa issuing like Bahrain. Are these officers are too busy? Anyway I will try next time to pass these salaam typists and keeps you updated.Do you have any experience with visa counter please share with us.

Head office Kuwait Post

2009-12-27T19:59:00.000-08:00

After a long struggle I managed to find head office of Kuwait post. I have asked most post offices about their head office but all of them denied by saying they doesn’t know where there head office. Do you believe it? I wouldn’t because they receive communication and instructions from their head office and these are displayed on most post offices of Kuwait. I noted the telephone number from one of the letter and tried to ring which was unavailable.Most post offices have complaint boxes like other government offices but never emptied to see what is happening on the counters.Anyway i found the head office which is housed in coop Mishref complex. Post office mishref is also housed in the same office on ground floor. Head office of Kuwait post is on the first floor.I don’t know exactly whether it is real head office or just semi head office. Head of this office wasn’t present at the time of my visit on Monday 21 of December 2009 about 9 Am but I managed to speak his secretary and told him i am writing a report about Kuwait postal system and would like to have answers of some of my questions. After few questions he took my telephone number and told me he will put me in touch with right person. Till now there is no response from head office. I will keep you updated for further information about my meeting with head office if there will be one.

post office Rowdha

2009-12-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Passing through Rowdha and found out they have shiffted now in new building near coop

Post office Mishraf

2009-12-25T20:01:00.002-08:00

This post office is housed in this coop complex and also postal sector head office is on first floor.
31 january 2010
So i arrived here and strange to know they have totally different price list than other post offices and had no clue about prices what i was talking. If they dont have clue then why they dont get it? Yes they are very busy in their services. During argument their inspector came and started to put his nose as well. The way he was talking was like i have committed a crime to get a right published postal rate.
Anyway i decided to post my packet at letter rate. I am going to see him and his boss upstair who was absent from his office upon my second visit. Now took his telephone number from his secretary's office.

Post office fahaheel

2009-12-25T20:01:00.001-08:00

According to this letter box out side fahaheel post office they empty 12 times a day. I posted one leter to holland in this box few years ago which never arrived in holland.

Post office qussor & grain

2009-12-25T20:00:00.001-08:00

Post office Jabbar al ali

2009-12-25T19:59:00.001-08:00

covered letter box at jaber al post office
I have never visited this post office inside but this post has kuwaiti flag out side and letter box covered with blue sack which shows they have no time to empty letter box

Khaldiah post office

2009-12-25T19:58:00.000-08:00

Schweikh (industrial) post office

2009-12-25T19:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I have been to this post office. I arrived bit earlier than their opening hours. There was no post office sign at the building because it is newly refurbished.
I entered in the post office at 8 am .There was only one person sitting on the counter busy in reading newspaper. I was bit guilty to disturb him but I asked him "Is it post office". He replied "yes"
Then I have asked him if I can post some small packets. He replied "mai Aseer". Then I asked him why? He said we only accept letters here and if you want to post it go to keifan. I started arguing and got annoyed by this silly answer "mai asser". At the end he said come after 15 minutes because nobody is here yet. I waited in the car half an hour and went in the post office again. Thanks god some people were there. I asked the same question and same thing , same answer "Mai aseer" and go to keifan. I told him you are sitting here to work and you are telling me go to keifan. Why? I should go to keifaan? to listen same answer? Anyway after half an hour of arguments he agreed to accept it. I arrived at the post office At 7.30 and finished posting at 9.15Am. What a good performance and waste of resources by kwait post offices funded by kuwaiti government. By the way he refused to accept one of this letter which is bubble envelope and print on the back. this is photo of bubble envelope.

Post office GPO kuwait (Keifaan)

2009-12-25T19:56:00.002-08:00

Today I have visited this office at 7.30am and surprised to know that post office opens at 7.30am.
Now i think this office serve as a kuwait GPO due to Gpo building repairs which is on Fahad al salam street.
Anyway i had very big success in getting official postal price list after years of struggle. This gentleman was really honest and nice of him starting work at 7.30am.
After posting of letters i asked him if he could give me official price list and he happily stamped it to make official.
I would like to tell you that about two years ago i have visited main GPO on Fahad al salam street and asked them to post as small packet but that lady denied this.THen i asked her to ask her manager but manager after seeing my copy of postal prices said these are old prices. Surprising to know that this price list given to me today is starting from 1st of January 1986
I have now very serious questions for head of postal sector department of communication if he has sometime to spare.
I would like to ask him if he ask all post offices to display price lists on their counter and staff should wear id with name on it. If you ask anyone at the post office they refuse to give you their name after lieing