Life in Kuwait

Crazy car auction in Jahra

2012-02-15T07:06:00.005+03:00

I've always heard about the car auction in Jahra but never visited, (now I know why) but I decided to tag along with my husband who was trying to sell our car. After a long trip down towards Jahra he showed me the "exit" for the auction. After going to one on-ramp connected to another on-ramp we took a sharp right off the highway.

There was nothing in site. Was he messing with me? After a muddy, rocky terrain and huge holes we turned a corner and there it was.... the auction site. Talk about chaos! Hundreds of guys with hundreds of crappy cars. I always thought it would a good place to look at cars.... WRONG! There were massive amounts of people gathered everywhere yelling prices.

I did cover myself as best as I could but I was a walking freak show, guess they never saw an American chick at the auction? We got lost and couldn't find the car and it was getting dark which meant very soon everyone would leave at once and the road home is not so great.

I've been to many places in Kuwait and Inshallah I will visit them all but this is the worst place I've ever been. Totally uncomfotable feeling and I just wanted out of that place. It's something on my bucket list and it will be crossed off for good.

Kuwait's Kites

2012-02-14T07:01:00.004+03:00

The kites are out on the weekends when the weather is good. They are located off sixth ring exit beside Messila beach.

Great show!

Operation Hope Yard Sale

2012-02-13T07:04:00.003+03:00

It was a little bit cold for the yard sale but OH still had a large number of people visit. Vendors had tables selling their items and of course OH had clothing and more to offer. We are thinking about holding another one in the spring for "Spring Cleaning".

A big thank you to those who continue to support Operation Hope and Esther's Attic. Remember Esther's Attic is open every Saturday from 10 am - 1 pm!!!!!! Take some time to visit, you never know what you might find.

Kuwait Concours 2012

2012-02-12T13:35:00.001+03:00

Ready to see some cool old cars?

Date: February 15-18, 2012

Time: Starts at 12:00 pm

Location: Marina Crescent, Salmiya

AWARE Center- Desert Camp

2012-02-10T11:01:00.002+03:00

AWARE Center:

17 Feb 2012, 9:30 am

AWARE ARABIAN DESERT CAMP FEBRUARY 17, 2012 - 10AM – 4:30PM

REGISTRATION DEADLINE FEB 15, 2012

Bus transportation will be available for those who sign for it. Meet at AWARE Center at 9:15 am. Buses will start Departing at 9:30 am. Bus ticket 2 KD.

Every year during the winter, the desert beckons us to come and enjoy. This year, we journey south to the AWARE Arabian Desert camp for an all-day, outdoor experience including: • Camel Rides • ATV rides • Sporting Competitions • Hot Buffet Lunch • Arabian Cultural Displays Families & Children Welcome Members 10 KD; Non-Members 12 KD; Children 5 KD (5-10yrs)

Visit AWARE to purchase your tickets Surra, Block 3, Surra Street, Villa 84 – Telephone: 2-5335260/80 Fax: 2-5335230 email: info@aware.com.kw http://www.aware.com.kw

Sadu House Workshop

2012-02-08T08:25:00.003+03:00

Family fun workshop for children 8 years and older, mothers are welcome to join in.

Kuwaiti flag in Ragoum (a traditional bedouin weaving technique)

2 sessions lasting 3 hours each day
Saturday February 11th and 18th, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Fee: 20 KD which includes all materials, equipment and light refreshments

For more info: info@alsadu.org.kw or call 99368147 for English and 22432395 for Arabic

AWARE Center- Grand Mosque Tour

2012-02-07T07:50:00.003+03:00

February 11, 2012 @ 9:15 am.

AWARE Center:

For a rewarding, spiritual and informative experience. This is a 1 ½ tour of one of Kuwait’s most famous landmarks Ladies are required to cover - long sleeves and long ankle length skirt, otherwise the mosque will provide a cloak. If you have your own scarf you’re welcome to bring it. Camera’s allowed. Children welcome. This tour meets directly at the Grand Mosque at 9.15am. Directions to the Grand Mosque. Take Gulf Street towards the Kuwait Towers. Pass the Towers with them on your right. Pass Souq Sharq with it on your right. Pass the Dickson House and Ministry of Planning with them on your left. By Seif Palace there is a large roundabout. Take the 2nd exit off the roundabout. The Grand Mosque is now on your left. At traffic lights turn left. Grand Mosque is on your left. To park go down to the roundabout and come back so Grand Mosque is on your right. Car Parking - If you are driving you can park at the mosque. The entrance is found by taking the side road between the Al-Babtain library and the Grand Mosque. Then you will see a barrier on your left. Tell the guard you are there for a tour and he will let you in, you follow the road round and can park in front of the mosque.

I still haven't been there yet. Inshallah one of these days.

TIES Desert Camp

2012-02-06T07:32:00.002+03:00

Blogging Lag

2012-02-06T07:11:00.002+03:00

I had surgery last week hence the lag in blogging..... stay tuned.....

Operation Hope Family Yard Sale

2012-02-02T10:04:00.002+03:00

Operation Hope invites you all to our Multi-Family Yard Sale!

Saturday, 4th Feb, 2012 between 8am-2 pm, we are hosting a Multi-Family Yard Sale at our OH premises located in Rumathiya, block 9, st 92, House 23.

So bring your family, friends and collegues and join us as it promises to be exciting!

For more information email us at hope@ohkuwait.org

Check out our new website and blog page on my link list.........

Hope to see you there!!!!!

Elections in Kuwait- What's for Dinner?

2012-01-30T20:53:00.008+03:00

Election times in Kuwait bring out the special menus as you can see from the pictures below. In this area having camels to eat is a sign of wealth. I usually see baby camels in pens when someone is getting married. Now that the elections are in full swing the rich people bring out the most expensive items to serve voters. I've tried camel milk but could never bring myself to eat a camel.

Camel, it's what's for dinner...........

Magic Show in Kuwait

2012-01-27T06:58:00.004+03:00

I want to see them hypnotize people and make them act like chickens......

Three girls in ‘fun’ mode caught naked under ‘Abaya’

2012-01-24T09:14:00.001+03:00

Three girls in ‘fun’ mode caught naked under ‘Abaya’:

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 22:

Police have arrested three girls — a Kuwaiti and two GCC nationals, one of whom is a minor — for wearing no clothes except abayas (the black all covering garment worn by women) at a café in a commercial complex in Salmiya, reports Al-Rai daily.

A small boy reportedly told his mother that he saw a naked girl in the café and the mother then noticed the three girls and called the Operations Department of the Interior Ministry. The three girls told police that they had consensual sex in an apartment, consumed alcohol and got drunk. The girls added that when they regained their consciousness, they came to the café to have coffee.

Police made a phone call to the father of the two GCC girls, but he said he could not come to Kuwait as he was busy. The girls were referred to the Criminal Investigations Department.

Parents need to take care of raising their children with values instead of having the maids raise them. The youth of today are out of control! One has to remember they will be the future leaders of Kuwait.

Al Sadu house male doll Workshop

2012-01-23T09:33:00.002+03:00

I wish I had the patience to go for round two of doll making and have a male doll to go with my female. I would gladly pay money for it instead. For those who have the patience and sewing skills it's really a nice experience.

Sadu house is a beautiful place to have this workshop, they also provided us with tea/coffee and cookies.

Esther's Attic - A Success!

2012-01-22T12:57:00.002+03:00

Thanks goes out to those who braved the cold and wind to come to the grand opening. It was great and lots of things were sold! For those who missed it, Esther's Attic will be open Saturdays from 10-1 pm. Mark it on your calender!

We will put out new items during the week so keep visiting, you never know what deal you will find!

Kuwait Festival 2012

2012-01-19T10:17:00.001+03:00

(2) **Kuwait Festival 2012**:

WhenFriday, January 27, 2012 at 1:00pm until Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 4:00pmDescriptionWorld in Heart of Kuwait Festival 2012

www.galbq8.com

The biggest festival of 2012 in Kuwait. Participating more then 12 Countries and 500 Companies from inside and outside of Kuwait.
...
You can enjoy:
1: A great opening ceremony with Fireworks, Laser and Light shows.
2: Different performances by youth.
3: Contest and exhibitions for photography, drawing and painting..etc
4: Different Sports.
5: Cars and Motorbikes Show..... wao
6: Hosting a Fashion Show for the Summer 2012.
7: Fire Dancers.
and many many more excited activities...........
Booths are available for participation.

*** For more info plz contact on:
Phone: 00965-24814431
Fax: 00965-24830028
4th Floor, Alraas Tower.
Salmiya, Gulf street, Kuwait.
http://www.galbq8.com/

Esther's Attic in Arab Times today!!

2012-01-18T11:18:00.002+03:00

Please click on the link, on page 29 you will see the article for Hope House/ Esther's Attic

http://issuu.com/arabtimes/docs/18jan2012

Only a few days left until our opening!

AWARE Center Activity

2012-01-18T09:04:00.001+03:00

AWARE Center:

23 Jan 2012, 5:00 pm

Arabic Calligraphy represents unity, beauty and power. Join us for a tour of the Tariq Rajab Museum of Calligraphy to further explore the beauty and history expressed in this captivating art. The tour will be conducted in English. All are welcome. Cameras are encouraged. Seating is limited. Advance reservations are required. Departure from AWARE: at 5:00pm Return Departure: 7:00pm Tour Fee: 4KD per person.

Car crash involving our Guys

2012-01-17T07:50:00.004+03:00

A couple of weeks ago one our FN buses was involved in a really bad accident. As told to me by one of my co-workers the Kuwaiti guy in the GMC was going 200+ km and came up on his car in the fast lane, the Kuwaiti guy went to the right, clipped another SUV and crashed into the back of the bus. The bus driver tried to gain control until he hit the curb and the bus fell on it's side injuring 30 workers.

The Kuwaiti guy died instantly, several people tried to put out the flames but the car suddenly blew up. The guy's body was later removed in two pieces, half from the front seat and the other half from the backseat. I read about a similar accident in Arab Times but it said the guy was Asian. Maybe a different accident on the 30?

Slow down people!

Snow in Kuwait! Well sort of....

2012-01-16T07:28:00.004+03:00

Snow in Kuwait! Ok, hail in Kuwait, both are frozen water. It seems only the desert areas got this massive hail storm. I haven't read about it in any papers so not many people must know about it. The last time I was in a hail storm was 2008 and I had to find a tree to park under until the hail stopped.

Some pics outside the office.

I have a video, try to post it later...

Esther's Attic Grand Opening!!!!

2012-01-15T07:24:00.004+03:00

It's finally time! The grand opening of Esther's Attic re-sale shop. Esther's Attic proceeds will go toward helping the needy through Operation Hope. We appreciate the hard work from our volunteers and an idea has now become reality! We hope you will join us for our grand opening in January 21, 2012 from 10 am -1 pm, Rumathiya, block 9, st 92 house 23. Send an email for more info!

We are still in need of hangers of all types especially pants and kids clothing hangers as well as racks for hanging clothing. If you have any used items and would like to donate them bring them along when you visit! Inshallah we will see you there!

AWARE Center Grand Mosque Tour

2012-01-13T08:09:00.002+03:00

AWARE Center:

14 Jan 2012, 9:30 am

For a rewarding, spiritual and informative experience. This is a 1 ½ tour of one of Kuwait’s most famous landmarks. Ladies are required to cover - long sleeves and long ankle length skirt, otherwise the mosque will provide a cloak. If you have your own scarf you’re welcome to bring it. Camera’s allowed. Children welcome. This tour meets directly at the Grand Mosque at 9.15am.

Directions to the Grand Mosque. Take Gulf Street towards the Kuwait Towers. Pass the Towers with them on your right. Pass Souq Sharq with it on your right. Pass the Dickson House and Ministry of Planning with them on your left. By Seif Palace there is a large roundabout. Take the 2nd exit off the roundabout.
The Grand Mosque is now on your left. At traffic lights turn left. Grand Mosque is on your left. To park go down to the roundabout and come back so Grand Mosque is on your right. Car Parking - If you are driving you can park at the mosque. The entrance is found by taking the side road between the Al-Babtain library and the Grand Mosque. Then you will see a barrier on your left. Tell the guard you are there for a tour and he will let you in, you follow the road round and can park in front of the mosque.

Latin Social

2012-01-12T08:08:00.002+03:00

Reggaeton Yesssss! Love it!

Wood as precious as Gold

2012-01-11T10:07:00.001+03:00

Saudi Gazette - Wood as precious as gold:

Wood of Oud has been a part of Arabic culture for thousands of years. As rare and as precious as gold, it has a great cultural significance in ancient civilizations around the world. A common house in Gulf countries may lack a very important piece of furniture, but it is hard to imagine a home without Oud. Its smoke is thought to have the power that bonds an Arab to his roots and origins.
Oud is dark resinous wood that is also valued in many other cultures for its distinctive fragrance, and thus is used for incense and perfumes. It forms in Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees and the finest types of Oud come from the high mountainous areas of India, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
An interesting aspect related to formation of Oud is that it forms when a tree becomes infected with a type of mold. Prior to infection, the heartwood is relatively light and pale colored; however, as the infection progresses, the tree produces a very dense, dark, resin embedded heartwood in response to the attack. The infected trees are left for a period of 60 years to up to more than a century before good quality Oud can be extracted from them.

My apartment building is Ghetto

2012-01-11T07:01:00.002+03:00

Most of the apartment buildings I've lived in have been decent. But this building I've been in since I came back from the states is slowly turning into the projects. Majority of apartment buildings don't allow just anyone to move in they set standards. Some people might not like it but it's Kuwait and most people do what they want.

Not the case for my building. I think they allow any and everyone to move in. I moved into the building a couple years ago when it was brand new and the people living there at the time were decent. Had to move out, then moved back in recently. Now it's filled with some ghetto people. Directly under my apartment is a Kuwaiti family who allow the 6 kids to do whatever they want with no control. One time I was bringing groceries home and a can of soda fell out of the box and by the time I turned around to get it the Kuwaiti kid took it and ran off.

Another time I was pulling into the parking and the same family of kids were sitting on the cars and when I got out they yelled at me and when I said something back they cussed me. They are like a little gang of thugs and they will cuss any adult who talks to them.

Last night I was rudely awaken by the sounds of kids screaming around 11 pm. I open my window and it's the ghetto kids downstairs screaming and talking to the kids on the balcony beside my window. Yelling at them to quiet down did nothing. I had to go down to the haris and complain. WTH? Why do some Kuwaiti families not control their kids? My sister saw their baby brother playing on the balcony and he almost fell. Mind you it's not really a balcony, it's just an edge that's about a foot wide with a metal gate around it.

Most people store their crap there but the kids beside my window stand outside and yell from it. They also don't realize that even though the windows are tinted, at night people can see everyone in the apartment. Young girls dancing and playing around. It seems as if there is no man in the house because they act like animals. Do they not go to school? Why are 6 year old kids yelling at midnight?

I think I'm going to buy floodlights and put them outside my window or buy a stereo system with huge speakers and blast System of a Down or Rob Zombie. Maybe that will shut them up. We live in the Mahboula/Abu Halaifa area which explains why the people in my building are ghetto.