Month: February 2015

Happy National & Liberation Day

This year on 25th and 26th February Kuwait memorializes its 54th Independence Day and 26th Liberation Day. Each year to rejoice the core of patriotism, Kuwaitis celebrate with enormous pride and magnificent festivities.

The whole month of February which is also known as HALA February features as one of the most happening and carefree days for the people of Kuwait be it the locals, the expats or tourists. Kuwait commemorates with innumerable carnivals, cultural activities, events, concerts, workshops, seminars etc. which are organized both for children and families. The celebrations also includes spectacular lights illuminated all over Kuwait be it in the malls, out in the parks, government buildings, oil companies or public buildings. The bright lights highlight the essence of liberation and independence. All the streets and roads are decorated with colors of the Kuwaiti flag. It is just breath taking to see such a colorful, happy and blessed surrounding. And makes me more proud to call it home.

During childhood, we never missed out on the National and Liberation Day celebrations, we enjoyed with foam sprays and decorated my father’s car with lots of Kuwaiti flags. And from generations to generations this tradition continues. The only difference being I am driving the car with my son, his cousins and friends. Of course back in the days we enjoyed spraying each other with foam and we always seem to run out of cans, but then with the banning of foam sprays, water guns came into effect and the tradition still continues. In this day and age I personally feel water guns are safer and I love the fact that it can be enjoyed by any age group. A multitude of people are also seen dancing on the streets and the Gulf road holding the national flag – a moment of sheer delight in honoring the country.

The holidays allow people to indulge in dining out most of the time and you can see the bazaars, souks and malls selling a variety of items depicting the national flag in forms of clothes, banners, hats, masks, wigs, etc.

This majestic merriment creates a bond of brotherhood and unites the people in peace and harmony throughout Kuwait.  This time of the year, the weather is beautiful and a great time for hospitality, thus Kuwait attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. Not to forget this month of long celebrations offers huge discounts, shopping extravaganzas, special airfare and hotel packages.

The celebrations just do not stop here in the city but in the midst of the desert, the lively atmosphere takes place in the chalets and camps, where they have several family activities like kite flying, buggies, motor race, camel rides, camping, bon fires and the list goes on.

I am listing a few places where you will find a majority of people celebrating their National and Liberation holidays:

The Kuwait International Trade Fair Grounds – Enjoy the Carnival City

1001 Inventions Exhibition from 4th Feb to 7th March at the Scientific Center Tent

Horseback riding on the beach Call 55546773

Bake Sale at AUS Middle School Student Council Feb 22nd and 23rd (part of the profit goes to PAWS Kuwait Animal Shelter)

Hala Feb Art Camp Feb 22nd to Feb 26th Call: 97775273

El Salam American Nursery Feb 25th, 26th and 27th Book Fair (books, games, DVDs, watched and more) Call 65166743

Visit the Al Mubarakiya Expo in Souq Al Mubarakiya

Kuwait Towers

Green Island

Al Shaab Leisure Park

Messila Beach

If you are an Instagram person – Take part in the Instagram challenge check it out on @bazaargram and @partyland_kuwait – Use the hashtag #WeHeartKuwait.

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and Stay Safe!

Kwi National and Liberation Day

Happy Valentines Day

“I’ve been in love before, it’s like a narcotic. At first it brings the euphoria of complete surrender. The next day you want more. You’re not addicted yet, but you like the sensation, and you think you can still control things.You think about the person you love for two minutes then forget them for three hours. But then you get used to that person, and you begin to be completely dependent on them. Now you think about him for three hours and forget him for two minutes. If he’s not there, you feel like an addict who can’t get a fix. And just as addicts steal and humiliate themselves to get what they need, you’re willing to do anything for love.”- By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept”

― Paulo Coelho

Fall in Love

“Fall in love with someone who wants you, who waits for you, who understands you even in the madness; someone who helps you, and guides you, someone who is your support, your hope, fall in love with someone who talks with you after a fight. Fall in love with someone who misses you and wants to be with you. Do not fall in love only with a body or with a face; or the idea of being in love”.

Fall in love

Dough Cafe / Bakery

Dough Cafe and Bakery is one of the new additions in Kuwait where new restaurants are sprouting like mushrooms especially along the shoreline. This newly opened restaurant is located in the Miral Mall in Mangaf. I was there for breakfast, and I was totally impressed with the location and the decor (very cute and cozy) perfect sea view and right feel of the sun and the breeze.. But, yes the big but..

As always excited and comfortably going thru the menu, which comes in a shape of a huge placemat. I was ready to try more than I thought I could eat – so I asked my server to get in my order and made it pretty clear in what order I wanted to be served too.

First I wanted my Booboo Buns, to be followed by Camel –wings (Cinnamon, Sugar & Lemon and Nutella for toppings) and then the main “Eggs” Scrambled Avocados and Huevos Rancheros, of course with black American coffee.

The server took the order and went for a “whatever” break – so my eggs arrive first and I was not happy – I sent it back. Finally the Booboo buns arrive and I enjoyed them, but I was kinda worried about my eggs getting cold in the kitchen the whole time. Then came the Camel-Wing (I would describe it as an Indian version of ‘Puris’ with the relevant toppings.

In any case, we asked for the eggs, looked fancy however it was cold and Guess what? My Huevos Rancheros never arrived. Spoke to three different waiters, then the manager – who apologized and said it’s a new restaurant and new staff, hence the delay and miscommunication in the service. Well, you know what that is certainly not my problem. I went there with the intention to enjoy my morning, my breakfast, the view, the company and I was extremely disappointed..

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So even before thinking of shooting some more pictures of the place or trying they range of cakes, I asked for my cheque and continued with my day

This is the so called food revolution happening in Kuwait however, is anyone really paying importance to what the customer wants or how the staff should be well trained before you can open to the public.  Looks can deceiving – that’s what I learnt!!

The Heart Hotel

the heart hotel

Inside her ribcage city, Lies an abandoned heart hotel

Haunted with the memories, Of a time it once knew well,

If you’re quiet and imagine, You can hear the closing doors,

The forgotten conversations, And the footsteps on the floors,

It was open many years ago, When she was still young and naïve

Believing if she gave enough. She d’eventually receive,

Each day she cleaned and cooked, To ensure comfort for her guests,

Bust as people kept arriving, It grew heavy in her chest,

Eventually to hear herself, She almost had to shout,

Over the people who once moved in, And then never moved out,

Although they had faded from her life, They memories roamed the halls,

For she was so afraid of heartbreak, That she clung onto them all,

But the hotels aren’t designed, For everyone who comes to stay,

And when you keep on cramming people in, Something’s going to give way,

And so the story goes, Her heart hotel slowly closed down,

She learnt to let things go, And moved into a nicer town,

That she’s doing so much better, And she owns a cottage now,

Where ones she loves the dearest, Are the only guests she will allow.

Author: e.h

Week 6/52

For as long as I have known, I dedicate this month to love – cox it’s all about love. And if you browse thru my previous posts in Feb since I started blogging – all you will ever come across is love. It doesn’t mean we cannot have a bad day or a bad moment, but just the overall blanket feeling of love is in the air – and it doesn’t have to be for one individual or a particular reason. To start with it has to be for you. Love yourself and the rest will follow.

Just like me why don’t you pledge this month to love also and make a note everyday about love or for a your loved one or about something you love to do.. They are endless things, people, places, moments, memories, hobbies just love love love ….

You are impeccable the way you are, and stop wanting for certain people to like you, call you, befriend you, stop desiring you looked like the other person in the room(at a party) and stop being unhappy with yourself. Don’t crave attention from the wrong people, especially those who end up hurting you all the time.  You are who you are because of your face, your body, your personality and your oddities, accept them, love them.

Smile, be confident and keep your heels high (for all the women) and keep you head high (for all the men). Some people are going to hate you for being happy and for being you, but you know what screw them!!!! It’s your life and you are meant to be who you are, your flaws, your imperfections, all of you makes “you awesomely amazing”! Don’t let anyone put you down (well at least try that they don’t succeed..)

Love-Yourself