Do you blog? & Google? I do, iBlooogle!
Incorporating both Apple and Google branding strategies into one compact package! (j/k :P)
Kuwait's one-stop-shop for Intriguing titles that MEASURE up to the content. My blog is similar to my taste in music and life, Eclectic - Selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas. So sit back, relax and enjoy!
There once was a show called "Arabs Got Talent", and on this show, this person was revealed to the world as the Kuwaiti Luciano Pavarotti in-the-making.
AbdulRahman Al Mehameid is a talented, inspiring Opera singer, with no venue to properly give him the push he so rightfully deserves. He also sings Khaleeji, but I would be more inclined to attend an Opera Night ass opposed to Khaleeji. Thats just me.
I read somewhere that there are plans in the pipelines to build an Opera house in Kuwait, this would be a project long overdue in a country that wishes to compete with neighboring GCC countries, but clearly has not invested much in terms of Arts, Music and Live Entertainment.
Come on Kuwait!
The reason I write this post at this point in time is because this happened on a tuesday night:
my first celeb-a-stalk experience :P
Despite my invading the privacy of his Dinner, he was very friendly and extremely kind.
I seem to have switched on some sort of celebrity magnet, as just the other day (yesterday infact) I was at the hospital waiting for my results when a woman (don't all stories involve women? :P) walks into the waiting area with what appeared to be an assistant, a maid, and a boy of maybe 1.5~2 years of age. What caught my attention was the scarf around her neck (reddish hair, pale, black dress, high heels), as I found it an odd fashion sense in a hospital of all places.
She took the seat next to me (or behind me depending on how you look at it, the chairs were circular in pattern), so as I was listening away obliviously to my music, a little girl who was being egged on by her sister walks up to this fashionable woman, and I hear her say "I watch you on TV", to which the fashionable femme responds "habibti" and starts kissing and hugging the little girl.
I had no idea who she was tho, and didn't find out.
This post will be an accumulation of pictures I have taken out and about Kuwait with my crappy-yet-reliable N97 cam, some are good, some are bad; and a few anecdotes I have to share.
First off, congratulations to the KPD (Kuwait Police Department) for doing the following:
Apparently, this jack@$$ thought himself to be too important to park like normal people, and instead opted to park in the spot reserved for the handicapped. Mind you, this was inside the parking lot of Crowne Plaza, so the perp thought it was off-limits to cops. Guess again.
It really irritates me to see such behavior from people, these spots are meant for the disabled, they are not "Prime Spots" for anyone to use, where has common decency gone?
Not too far, as I happily found out one friday morning near the Kuwait towers. The parking lot was packed so I circled to the other side and found ample space. Upon walking to the other side I happened upon a well-to-do, smart looking man with his family in his car, and he had just pulled into the handicap spot. From my position, I noticed he had no markings on his car that there were any handicapped people aboard. I got agitated and swore under my breath at the man. Whether or not he heard me, or saw me scowling at him, or had a sudden change of heart, I do not know. But he did pull out of that spot and drive away. I hope he did so because he knew it was wrong to park there, and not because his family changed their mind and decided they wanted to go elsewhere, or that he left the stove on back home.
Wide Load
Why on earth are pick-up trucks allowed to do this? This is one really Big Ass Truck (B.A.T). I want one person to explain the logic behind it.
Side Mirror Picturesque
Taken from my side-mirror, on the drive home one day. Serene.
Excuse me sir! Please Cover Up! I find your nudity offensive, naive.
They should also put up a sign that you cannot change behind a tower around your waist, as sooner or later your tush will pop out. Also, hairy gorilla guys, please, do something about that. You are proving Darwin right!
Translation Fail
I work for the Exploive department...
Correction: I work for the ExplosSive Department.
What do you say when you see a father littering, right infront of his son's eyes?
Kuwait needs, seriously needs, to implement a zero-tolerance on littering policy. WTH? I see cars throwing the strangest junk out of their windows, from pepsi cans to styrofoam meal boxes, to lit cigarettes and confetti!
Smokers can outlive sportsmen, who at times die at a young age from some cardiovascular complication.
BUT, that does not mean we cannot take the means to lead healthy, active lives.
I do not believe in diets, or depriving myself of a certain food, I'll eat what I want and work hard to burn it.
So, without further adieu, and in celebration of my birthday (today btw :P) here are a few steps to take to promote a longer, healthier life (thank you Askmen):
1- Always opt for exercise
Technology exists to make our lives easier, but it doesn't always make us healthier. Daily exercise, however, is a definite boon to health. In fact, studies suggest that daily exercise can add up to three years to your life. Although finding time for structured exercise can be pretty much impossible for many guys, the good news is that opportunity for exercise is everywhere -- just be creative. Whenever you can, walk to work. You don’t even have to walk the whole way. If you take public transit, just get off a few blocks sooner and enjoy a stroll. If you live or work in a high-rise building, just take the stairs. It’s really that simple.
2- Eat a healthy breakfast
Including breakfast in your daily routine is a great healthy habit for living longer. Over the years, researchers have found that those who eat an early-morning meal are less likely to be obese and get diabetes compared to those who don’t. Breakfast-eaters also report feeling better both mentally and physically. All in all, it seems that eating breakfast is a great, healthy way to start your day. To get the full benefits of breakfast, though, the Mayo Clinic recommends a meal with carbs, protein and a small amount of fat. The key is to keep your meals varied to ensure you get a good mix of nutrients, so spice up your breakfast every once in a while.
3- Get enough sleep
A lack of quality sleep can shorten your life. At least that’s the conclusion drawn from a number of studies conducted over the past decade. Although it’s not entirely clear how many hours of sleep we really need, failing to get at least seven hours of sleep or only sleeping at odd hours appears to heighten the risk of major illnesses including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. But it’s not just a lack of sleep that can be dangerous; a lack of relaxation can leave a lasting mark as well. We all know that stress and anxiety are killers, and so it follows that finding ways to relax each day can be a lifesaver. Whether it’s classical music, massage therapy or meditation, whatever you use to relax will most certainly add years to your life. It may even help you sleep better.
4- Brush and floss daily
Flossing can add 6.4 years to your life, says Dr. Michael Roizen in his book The RealAge Makeover. Although that estimate might be a little far-fetched, the thinking behind it is probably pretty sound. The reality is that poor oral hygiene can lead to nasty gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. These inflammatory diseases can actually lead to a narrowing of the arteries, a common cause of cardiovascular disease. By simply brushing and flossing daily, we rid our mouths of the bacteria that cause inflammatory gum disease and save our heart a little bit of trouble.
5- Stay in touch with friends
There’s an old saying that says a good friend is cheaper than therapy. Oddly enough, researchers now hold this to be true, though it’s not just about friends; any social network, whether it be through church, a sports club or cooking class, can positively impact your physical and mental well-being. Social networks can provide us with useful information, like encouragement to go see a doctor. They can give physical support, like helping us run errands, and they can provide emotional support, like listening to our problems to help us overcome depression and anxiety. All of these seemingly minor perks can literally add years to our lives.
6- Stay hydrated
Our bodies are nearly 70% water, so it should come as no surprise that water is essential to maintaining health and prolonging life. We use water to regulate body temperature, protect our joints and organs, and to help transport oxygen to cells. But in order for water to keep our bodies in check we need to make sure that its levels are constantly replenished. The solution is simple: hydrate. Although the common prescription of drinking eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day has been called a myth, the message isn’t necessarily a bad one. As long as you hydrate frequently, from various sources, not just water, you’re probably in the clear.
making daily habits count
Many of us are set in our daily routines. We eat the same meal, wear the same clothes, take the same route to work, and work the same old job. But what we sometimes fail to recognize is the huge impact that our daily routines can have on our health. By making just a few small changes here and there -- and sticking to them -- you can add a significant number of years to your life. Although change isn’t always easy, it can be done. Set small goals, ease in changes one at a time and it won’t be long before you notice a positive change in your health and mood.
Keep in mind that what works for one may not work for all, find what regiment you are most comfortable with and go for it.
A rather moronic, yet catchy, tune that made its way around the radio. Now I want to draw your attention to the more disturbing phenomena, the G5 - Gorilla Grunting Gym Goin' Guys.
Picture if you will the following scenario, your shift at work is over, you head on to your gym, you get changed out of your day wear and into your sweats and shorts, you get in the zone, pump your favorite music directly into your cerebral cortex via your aural canals, you're focusing on your core, feeling the burn, concentrating, getting ripped, shredded (is it a gym or a meat-market? Those two terms are just plain weird!), all is right with the universe, you are finally striving towards the Apex of fitness.
And then, you see a guy doing this:
Or, simply this (I cannot believe I found this video, it is AMAZINGLY accurate towards my point! IT really is a search and you will find world!)
I do not understand these behemoths, these manmoths if you will. What, who or which female of what species would find this attractive? I'm talking about the overinflation of the muscular tissue beneath this mans epidermis. I'm all for looking good, but in what book is that look good?
I have seen guys with breasts growing out of their biceps, and they weren't even flexing! That was their "natural" look. Bear in mind they have lost the ability to straigthen their arms and must walk with arms akimbo for the rest of their lives.
Now, back to the grunting. It really is discouraging. Here I am working hard to get my body right, and theres this manmoth behind me getting his freak on it seems with his weights, making the same exact noise you would get if you were to forcibly insert an object, or remove it, from someones rectal cavity.
There was this one guy with arms literally the size of my head, lifting weights that probably far surpass my own weight (including shoes!), and the noises he was making. Even with my iPod at full blast, I could not drown the guttural grunts of this manmoth.
Now, worst of all is to find a skinny guy with flimsy weights also grunting! That is just a laugh riot waiting to happen!
I understand that forcibly exhaling is sometimes a strong motivator, but alot of these buffoons over-exaggerate. There is a way to do it, unfortunately I cannot record it for your hearing pleasure but I will try my best to describe it.
You start off strong with a "HUMPH!" and cut it short, you emphasis the silent ending. Try it.
Go ahead.
What these muscle-heads are doing is more of a "AAARUMPHAA", like some wild-boar mating call, and overly elongating their decibels.
It literally sounds like they are trying to scare some wild predator in the savannah or the forest away from their kill.
It has got to stop.
Crown Plaza Gym needs to adopt the same policy as Planet Fitness:
I know I enjoy the benefit of working out haphazardly and defining my frame, if I were to stop for elongated periods of time and do ZERO weights, I wouldnt slip that much. Take these guys away from the weights for just one week, and watch the hard muscle turn to flabby lipoids.
This is just the grunting I'm talking about, I won't even go near the other occurrences in the locker room, where you find said muscle-bound moron with one butt cheek out and a trainer/ friend sticking it to him (anabolic steroids that is).
Dylan Moran, a famous Irish comedian, was once talking about how men and women kill themselves to go to the gym to get the "ideal" body, well, heres his take on the ideal body:
"My ideal body, you know, would be just probably something like… ahm… one eye, you probably only need one. A kind of sucker thing instead of teeth, because they just give you grief in the end, you know. And a long, long tube with my arse way over there so I don’t have to deal with it. That would be ideal."
Alot of peeps who come to Kuwait see wonderous new things that they may have not seen anywhere else in the World (ok I'm stretching the truth to breaking point but just go with me on this); drive-by Baqala's, the Kuwait Towers (I'm trying hard to think of other examples and running low!) etc.
Most amazing however, is the BBPin# Pick-up.
Don't understand what I'm talking about? Heres a visual aid:
That!
I would like to know, how incredibly handsome or filthy rich said person driving car above is, that the mere sight of them by any woman, pedestrian or driver, will prompt them to immediately take out their BB's and send in their flirtations etc. begging for the chance to be the one for him.
Its like the guy is saying, "I cannot be bothered to flirt with you, so here, just take my BBPin# and get in touch me whenever".
Some guys are old fashioned and just put their number on the car.
Theres also the "Red-Light-Ravish", I saw this myself, where a guy would get out of his car at the traffic light, crumple up a piece of paper with his number on it, and toss it into a car with a female driver. Again, "I can't be bothered to flirt right now, just get back to me whenever".
How does a girl even respond to that? "Oh hi, I'm the girl who you gave your number to on the stop light near Marina Mall, how r u? Want to go for coffee sometime? You can come pick me up?" To which the guy would be like, "Woman you already have a car!".
Flirtation is an art lost in the State of Kuwait.
Heres a bit of recent news, doesn't it just kill the romantic in you when you read something like this:
Flirtatious boy hits bottle on girl’s head (TITLE FAIL ARABTIMES, shouldn't you say, Flirtatious boy hits girl on head with bottle? *smh* must be lost in translation)
KUWAIT CITY, April 15: Police are looking for a Kuwaiti youth who struck a girl with a bottle and caused severe injury to the head after she refused to take his phone number at a beach along the Arabian Gulf Street.
Sources said the youth tried in vain to give his mobile number to the girl, so he turned to insult her. However, he became furious and hit the girl with the bottle when she retaliated, and escaped. Paramedics rushed the girl to the Amiri Hospital after passersby reported the incident to the Operations Room, and a case has been registered against the youth.
And since we're on the subject of Cars in Kuwait, take a look at this:
The pick-up truck is already a beast to be reckoned with on the streets, so someone please explain why some people feel it necessary to monster-truck-ify their trucks into the behemoth above? Honestly, what is the driver trying to compensate for, I wonder?
So, in two weeks time we will have The Flying Start event put on by the good folks at The3Club.
How does one prepare for a triathlon?
I compiled a list of Qs, from my n00b perspective, and sent them in, the folks were gracious enough to give me some answers to share with the general public, so without further adieu, for those planning to take part in this spectacle, this information is for you:
What time will the race start on friday (reference: Friday prayer)
The Race will begin in the early morning at 6:00 am, we'll have a cutoff time of 3 hours so we should wrap up the whole event before prayer time.
What type of swimming attire would you suggest men (shorts, speedo's etc)/ women wear?
Well the most ideal would be a triathlon suit which you can swim,cycle and run in without having to change. you can find tri suits at Extreme sports shops either in slamiya or shuwaikh.
Are the women in a separate area than the men for the entire triathlon?
No The transition zone is mixed
Is there a resting period inbetween the different activities, or is it like an obstacle course where the first to finish the whole thing wins?
There's no rest period, but i suppose its up to each individual participant wether they wish to rest in the transition area, but they will lose time, as its not typically used for rest just to transition to the other discipline.
Are snacks (power bars, fruits etc) allowed inbetween activities? Are they provided at the competition or does each person bring their own?
yes they're allowed, one needs a source of instant energy during triathlon, some participants use concentrated power gels which they bring along with them, or bananas and other food items popular for their energy boosting .
we will provide water and gatorade along the course .
If yes, what type of snacks would you suggest people take, would they be different between each different activity?
Answered above
Are the cycles provided by you or should participants bring their own?
Each participant must get their own bike and equipment, the race officials and organizers are not responsible for providing any equipment.
What type of cycling gear should participants bring with them?
Helmet.
What foods should participants focus on one week prior to the race?
This really depends on each individual but typically athletes eat a lot of carb and reduce any fiber fileld foods 2 days close to race day.
Will there be an ambulance on call if anyone gets dehyrdrated, faints etc?
Yes there will be a skilled emergency team on stand by.
Is the triathlon open to participants from outside Kuwait?
Yes in fact the race has been minimally promoted in Dubai.
Do participants choose between the two classes (Sprint/ Olympic), or is there some test which determines which class a participant can compete in?
Participants are free to choose which ever distance category they prefer, based on their personal opinion of how fit they are, and must sign a disclaimer to that effect.
What is the difference between the Olympic and Olympic relay classes?
Olympic individual is when one participants does the whole distance by him/her self, swimming the 1500 followed by a 40 km bike and a 10 km run non stop to the finish line. In Relay a team of three or 2 can share the race distances meaning that one can do the swim, pass the timing chip to a team mate who then carries through the bike portion then passes the timing chip to the third team member who will finish the run.
How a Triathlon is performed: The Run is the last discipline in triathlon and its right after the bike, once an athlete finishes from the bike they must cycle back to the transition are, get rid of the bike gear (helmet, cycling shoes, gloves..etc) and put on their running gear (running shoes, sun cap..etc)
and run the rest of the race be it the 5km for the sprint or the 10 km for the olympic.
For everyone wishing to participate, here is the form :)
Fresh off the Inventors Convention in Switzerland comes this latest piece of faux news!
The recent bouts of bizarre and freakish sandstorms are part of a top secret government experiment to bring Mobile Beaches to the mass populace!
Now, you don't have to drive a long way to get to a crowded beach with rowdy teenagers and people left right and center, you can enjoy the beach from your very own living room! Just open a window, slip on your swimming trunks, pull out an old tub, fill it with water and relax :)
Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Their slogan: You bring the Aqua, We bring the Silicon Dioxide!
Apparently, in these tough economic times, not even Superheroes are immune from the ravages of tight spending, budget cuts and downsizing...
Spiderman, aka Peter Parker, a brilliant scientist, a well-loved superhero that everyone can aspire to be like, has been reduced from fighting the likes of Doc Ock, Venom, Carnage, The Sinister Six, Rhino, Scorpion (etc. etc. :P) to this...
Not only that, apparently there has been a recurrence of the "Separation Anxiety" & "Identity Crisis" storyline, as there appears to be an Army of Spidermen trying to make ends meet.
Inaugurated in 1995, Aqua Park is not only the first water park in the Gulf, but also the biggest of its kind in region. The park spreads over an area of 60,000 square meters. It is located on the Arab Gulf Street next to Kuwait Towers. Aqua Park offers unlimited means of entertainment for the whole family. One can practice a variety of water and fun games, enjoy all kinds of swimming pool areas for kids and adults, learn scuba diving at the diving club, and play volleyball in the sandy beaches.
Cinemas in Kuwait represent unique modern features for art of architecture in the twenty first century. Many cinema screens display movies from allover the world. The cinema halls are designed to be comfortable, large and spacious. To ensure that audience enjoy their time, cinema screens are large and the sound is enhanced with 3D effect. During the afternoon, make sure you spend your time in one of cinemas in Kuwait, including: Al-Sharqia, Al-Fanar, Ajyal, Metro, Plaza, Laila Gallery, Al-Sha'ab and Fardous.
Visitors of the Dhow Harbor can view the old sailing ships and dhows used for coastal trading, fishing and pearl diving in the past. Moreover, visitors can come on-board the ship named “Fateh El-Kheir". This ships is the largest and the last surviving wooden dhow from the pre-oil days. The Dhow Harbour is located behind the Scientific Complex in Al-Ard area.
Phone: 1848888
Dickson House
This is the house of the first British political agent in Kuwait. The house was built in 1870 for a Kuwaiti merchant before the Dicksons moved to it in 1929. However, after the invasion, the Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature restored the house and opened it for visitors. Today, the building is one of the very few manifestations of the 19th century Kuwaiti architecture. It is located east of Sief Palace right across the Dhow Harbor.
Doha Village
In the past, the Doha Village was a place for major construction of dhows and fishing. Hence, when you visit Doha Village, it is like going back in time to view history of Kuwait. The best thing to view there is the dhows and boats manufacturing unit. Traditional miniatures of dhows are sold to tourists and collectors.
Entertainment City
The Entertainment City is the Disneyland of Kuwait. The City is located 20 Kilometers from Kuwait City. It provides a complete range of entertainment for every member in the family. Children and grownups alike can spend an extraordinary day visiting various parks: Arab World, International World and Future World. It is as if you live in a world different from your real world.
The Entertainment City is open everyday except Saturdays and Mondays which are allocated for women. Entrance ticket is 3.500 K.D per person. It is open from Sunday to Wednesday. In summer it opens from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am, and in winter it opens from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. On Thursday and Friday, it opens from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Phone: 24879455
Failaka Heritage Village
Established in same way as the old Kuwaiti villages, Failaka Heritage Village preserved the essence of Kuwait in the past. As soon as you enter the Village, you will travel back in time and spend unforgettable time. Visitors of the Heritage Village can enjoy their time staying in spacious and comfortable houses, though they are prepared to resemble the old life style. You can spend your time riding Arabian horses and camels in Failaka Stables, and enjoying barbecues under the moonlight. Among the special establishments of the Heritage Village are Qa'at Al Khair that can seat up to 450 guests, and the Museum Palace of Sheikh Abdulla Al Salim Al Sabah. Established on an island, Failaka Heritage Village has a special beach, the Wanasa Beach. On the Wanasa Beach, you can play a variety of water sports or simply enjoy the clear water and golden sand.
Failaka Island is one of the most gorgeous and famous historical islands in Kuwait. It combines the ancient and the modern history of Kuwait. The island is rich of cultural and historical landmarks from different ages, specially from the end of the third millennium B.C. till the modern age. Hence, Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) runs ferry trips everyday from Ras Salmiya to Failaka Island. To enquire about the ferry trips, you can contact the KPTC on 25742664. You can also take a boat to visit several other remarkable islands like Umm Al-Maradim, Bubiyan, Qaruh, Auhha, Umm Al-Naml, Kubbar, Warba and Miskan.
Green Island
Once you are in the Green Island, you will never believe that you are living in a desert country. The island is covered with colours and greens. In all directions, shrubs and seedlings of all colours are planted everywhere you go. Not only that, but the Island also offers its visitors the latest entertainment facilities. It includes an amphitheatre that can place up to 700 persons. Concerts and theater shows are help there quite frequently. You can only enjoy the exotic restaurants, the impressive swimming pools as well as the magnificent greens. Children have their special delightful spots. They can roam the kid's castle with its endless corridors, and play games in channel' rooms and numerous small waterfalls. Green Island is located off the waterfront spanning 21 kilometers of coastline from Al-Shiwaikh to Ras Al-Ardh.
Phone: 22526153
Ice Skating Rink
Established in March 1980, the Ice Skating Rink is a major landmark and great sport facility. The Rink is the first of its kind in the Gulf region and the Middle East. It spreads on an area of 8398 square meters at the Green Fence area in Kuwait City. The Rink consists of two main rinks. The first is an Olympic rink that has 1800 square meters surface of ice. The arena included can accommodate up to 1600 viewers and provides shoe-changing room, skating equipment store and first aid facility. The arena, also, includes a cafeteria serving light snacks, pastries, and a wide variety of drinks. The other rink is smaller; it has 800 square meters surface of ice with an arena accommodating up to 600 viewers. It is provided with a cafeteria for fast drinks and snacks.
In 1981, Kuwait Falcons, the national ice-hockey team was established. Regularly, foreign teams are invited to perform in Kuwait. The rink organizes different musical artistic festivals, kids' shows and winning festivals. Every Sunday, the rink opens for special group rates from ministries, organizations, establishments, etc.
Located in Al-Khiran District, Al-Khiran Resort is about 120 kilometers away from Kuwait City. It has a total number of 196 chalets. Also, luxurious restaurants are available inside the resort. The beach at the resort is clean and ready to receive swimmers any time. Two swimming pools are established, one filled with salty water, and the other with fresh water. If you want to play sports, tennis, football, volleyball and basketball courts are available. The resort also includes a yacht club. Through obtaining membership in this club, you receive membership of the special anchor. Moreover, a entertainment city for children with the most amusing games was established. There is a computer and video games hall. To held special and social events, a huge tent is pitched inside the park. Also, the "Duza" ballroom is also available.
You will never forget the magnificent view for Kuwait City from Kuwait Towers. It has a special panoramic view for all the City. In 1980, Kuwait Towers won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which is one of the most prestigious awards. The towers are distinguished by their panoramic view that revolves 360 degree. They, also, have huge tanks, which can store millions of gallons of water. Kuwait Towers are located at the Arabian Gulf Avenue, in Al-Sharq district. Phone: 22444021 - 22444038
Website:www.kuwaittowers.com/Index.aspx
entrance is 2KD
Kuwait Zoo
Since its establishments 10 years ago, Kuwait zoo is one of the most entertaining places in Kuwait. Animals in the zoo are gathered from all over the world. Never miss your chance to visit Kuwait Zoo during your stay. The zoo is located in Omariya on the Airport Road. Kuwait Zoo is open everyday except Saturdays. During summer, it is open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. During winter, it is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Phone: 24733389.
entrance is 0.500fils
Musical Fountain
Musical Fountain is a garden containing 220 fountains distributed among three leveled pools. This fountain is considered the fourth largest fountain in the world. During summer, you will never resist enjoying its captivating sight and sound shows every night. Musical Fountain is located at Al-Murqab in Kuwait City. It is open everyday except Saturday. During summer, it is open from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am (Midnight). And during winter, Musical Fountain is open from 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm.
Phone: 22428394
National Museum
When visiting the National Museum, you can view thousands of items in display, like: ancient fossils, bones, Islamic artifacts, flint and potteries tools. All these displays and more are a glimpse on the culture, heritage and history of the Kuwaiti society and Islamic world.
The Kuwait National Museum is located on the Arabian Gulf Street between Seif Palace and the National Assembly (Parliament).
Phone: 22451195 - 22456534
Ras Al-Ardh Club
Ras Al-Ardh Club is located in Ras Al-Salmiya in Kuwait over an area of about 19,025 square meters. Club members can practice all activities through a variety of games. Basketball, volley ball, tennis courts are available at the club. Also, there are tables for tennis tables as well as two swimming and diving pools, and a park for children. In addition, a theatre is found inside the main park where members can hold their parties.
Sadu House
Sadu is a traditional Bedouin art of weaving geometric designs spinned by hand with dyed and coloured wool to create magnificent carpets, rugs, and Bedouin tent screens. Inside the Sadu House, visitors have the opportunity to view Bedouin women while weaving. Sadu House is located near the National Museum where sea and desert combine. It is considered the center of Bedouin art aiming at presenting Kuwait's roots and protecting Bedouin crafts from obliteration. Sadu House opens from Saturday to Thursday in morning from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. In evening, it opens from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Phone: 22432395
The Scientific Center
It is a huge building established on the waterfront. The building is designed to reflect the Islamic arts and culture. The Scientific Center have three main fascinating attractions, which are: Aquarium, Discovery Place and IMAX Cinema. The Aquarium presents an ecosystem of desert, sea, and coastal edge. Visitors of the Aquarium explore the lives of beings and animals in their environments. When entering the Discovery Place, visitors gain scientific experience through educational games. Highly specialized trainers are assigned to guide visitors through hand-on playful training. On entering the IMAX Cinema, you can watch 3D movies played on the giant screen. Visitors can enjoy watching educational and documentary presentations and get engaged into a highly imaginative experience. Together, the three areas create a lifetime experience.
Al-Sha'ab Leisure Park is located on the southern coast of Kuwait City. The park is fully equipped with a variety of means of amusements designed for all ages. All are in one place to entertain all family members visiting the park. When you enter the park, you spend your time playing many games. Specially prepared places are found for indoor games, as well as, the outdoor sports like bungee jumping, pony rides and ice-skating. Families, also, receive their share of enjoyment watching movies and eating delicious meals at the restaurants. At Al-Sha'ab Leisure Park, all these facilities and more are maintained according to the international standards.
Ras Al-Ardh Club is located in Ras Al-Salmiya in Kuwait over an area of about 19,025 square meters. Club members can practice all activities through a variety of games. Basketball, volley ball, tennis courts are available at the club. Also, there are tables for tennis tables as well as two swimming and diving pools, and a park for children. In addition, a theatre is found inside the main park where members can hold their parties.
Swimming Pool Complex
In April 1988, the Swimming Pool Complex was opened on the Arabian Gulf Road over an area of 9472 square meters. The complex has five superior swimming pools with different measures, including:
• Olympic Pool that is well-equipped to hold out tournaments and championships. The measure of the pool are 25 meters × 12 meters, with depth ranging from 80 centimeters to 2.25 meters. It is designated for men only.
• Indoor diving square shaped pool whose depth is 4 meters and it consists of four 5-meter high ladders and two 1-meter high ladders. It is also designated for men and diving purposes.
• Swimming pool for beginners located in family section whose depth ranges from 30 centimeters to 1.5 meter.
• Two pools fully equipped with water and acrobatic games to assure spending unforgettable moments of joy and fun.
Prepared with all these facilities, the Swimming Pool Complex annually hold Young Swimmer Championship. Specialized trainers supervise the swimming school located within the complex. Swimming courses are delivered for children from age six and above. Finally, the Complex contains a snack bar serving quick light meals.
In 1980, Tareq Rajab decided to present his collection to the public. Tareq Rajab's collection included Islamic arts treasures of ceramics, gold and silver jewelry, english manuscripts, metal and glass works, old english costumes, and musical instruments. The number of items in his personal collection is over thirty thousand items of the Islamic treasures. Tareq Rajab gathered them across years. Currently, the museum displays a collection of ten thousand items to the public. The museum is divided into two main areas: Area (A) and Area (B). Each area presents a collection of beautifully handmade objects dated back to about 250 years ago.
Tareq Rajab Museum is open everyday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, except on Friday, it opens from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The Touristic Garden is located in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area. It spreads over an area of 87,000 square meters, all covered with colourful flowers and palm trees. A Roman-style theatre that can host up to 2000 viewers is established. The theater is always made ready for holding weekly festivals and parties. Visitors can also enjoy delicious meals, and watch their children playing in open areas filled with entertaining wooden games specially designed for children. Entry is free all week except for official holidays, celebration and conferences days.
Touristic Garden is open everyday from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am in summer and from 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm in winter.
So recently every time I hit Salmiya, I must have an incident with a beggar.
The first one was a well-dressed youth who said something about having lost this-or-that (I was on the phone at the time, probably made me an easier "Mark") and needed a small amount to do something. Feeling pious, I decided to help him out. (This dude was standing near the Ibis Hotel, close to Sultan Center)
As I was driving away I saw him standing with another person who just walked away, hence I knew, I was duped.
Second, and this is the kicker, I was accosted by a burka-clad woman, I tried to play the "I-don't-speak-Arabic" card, but she spoke to me in English (mental note, try French next time). The reason this is a kicker is because after asking me for money, she had the audacity to set a minimum limit! She was like, no, no please I want more, more. (she was right infront of Fanar)
WTF?
FYI folks, begging in Kuwait is ILLEGAL.
I know for a fact that if I were ever in a situation where I:
a) Lost my wallet
b) Had no money
c) Had a relative in the hospital (God Forbid)
I would either go into a shop, ask to use their phone, call a friend and ask them for help, or just swallow my pride and walk home or something. I would never stick my hand out to stranger in the street. For c) I would never look to strangers for help.
And the usage of "my (insert relative/kinfolk here) is in the hospital" excuse is really, really pathetic. I believe in Karma, and using this excuse will backfire in a negative way, since people use it to elicit sympathy.
Those two cases were only a day or so apart, so all Salmiya goers, heed this warning, part not with your hard-earned money to these ne'er-do-wells, lets face it, if their relatives really were in the hospital, I doubt they would be begging on the street for money from strangers, as opposed to calling up all their friends and relatives and asking for loans.
These people are parasites who play on the religious element within folks, each Muslim is required to pay 2.5% of their annual earning as zakat (alms) IF they are able to, and if a year has elapsed on said amount of money. There is also "sadaqat" (hand-outs) and those have no limits and are up to the persons discretion. So these people incite the name of God to get money.
Whether or not they really need it is not for me to know or decide, but I do know for a fact that the Kuwait Zakat House (link) helps out those in dire need. And there are plenty of decent Philanthropists in Kuwait that fund the Zakat House.
I do not see any situation in which it would be alright to ask a stranger for money. At all. Period.
I made a mistake and jumped the gun on this one ''P
However, the reality is soo much more interesting!
At first sight, I thought that Zuckerberg was being sued by the page creators for discrimination against their page in relation to other pages that call for violence etc. That would make sense right, freedom of online speech and what-not.
However, much to my chagrin, that was not the case!
Interestingly enough, Zuckerberg is being sued by the Israeli's, for failure to "nip it in the bud"!
(link) The lawsuit was filed March 31 in U.S. District Court in Washington on behalf of Larry Klayman, an attorney and activist who is described in the filing as "an American citizen of Jewish origin" who is "active in all matters concerning the security of Israel and its people." Klayman is the founder of Judicial Watch, a conservative public interest group.
Facebook removed the "Third Palestinian Intifada" page on March 29 after it had been up for a couple of weeks and garnered 350,000 friends. Israel's minister of diplomacy and Diaspora affairs,Yuli Edelstein, had sent a letter to Zuckerberg a week earlier asking for the page to be removed. The Anti-Defamation League also had called on Facebook to remove the page.
The page, which called for a third Palestinian uprising to begin May 15, included quotes and film clips calling for killing Jews and Israelis, and for "liberating" Jerusalem and Palestine using violence. It also directed users to related content on Twitter, YouTube and elsewhere on the Internet.
In the lawsuit, Klayman also calls on Facebook to remove from its site all pages using the words “Third Intifada” or any other pages that encourage violence toward Jews.
Facebook said it would fight the case, calling it “without merit,” the French news agency AFP reported.
Meanwhile, a new page with the same name already has attracted thousands of friends, according to reports.
Facebook did not release a statement on last week's removal. But in a statement released to several media outlets in the days before the page's removal, Facebook commented on the Third Palestinian Intifada page controversy.
“While some kinds of comments and content may be upsetting for someone -- criticism of a certain culture, country, religion, lifestyle, or political ideology, for example -- that alone is not a reason to remove the discussion," the statement said. "We strongly believe that Facebook users have the ability to express their opinions, and we don’t typically take down content, groups or pages that speak out against countries, religions, political entities, or ideas.”
Individual posts and comments on the page considered problematic were to be investigated by Facebook and removed, according to reports.
Facebook this week shut down the "Third Intifada" page, which had almost 500,000 fans, but the lawsuit filed in a court here claims that the social network showed "negligence" by not quickly responding to appeals to remove the page.
On Zawya, interestingly enough (link) Facebook said the page was initially tolerated because it "began as a call for peaceful protest" but direct calls for violence began appearing and the page was removed for violating Facebook's policies.
Hmmm.. I am on Internet Skeptic, and something here reeks of foul play.
The founder of Facebook was raised Jewish. Hence, this caused a stigma within the Arab World that Facebook is infact the ultimate in spy technology, as everyone has readily accepted it into their households, their PDAs, everywhere. Uploading pictures, writing articles, posts, comments etc. (lets face it, with Facebooks Facial Recognition software now in place, any picture taken by anyone anywhere in the world containing anyone "suspect" of anything in the background can be found given the appropriate access to the Facebook Data Warehouse) (I wrote about this Facebook Police before, here)
So, could this merely be a ploy by Zion to raise Mark's standing in the Arab Eye, in a way? Damn you Al Pacino (my favorite actor of ALL time) and your line from "The Recruit" - Everything is a test!"
Only time will tell.
