nefeghali
FALLING FOR FALL A GUIDE TO ENJOYING THE SEASON IN KUWAIT
S
Natasha E. Feghali
ome of the best memories are to be had during the fall in Kuwait. The sun is shining, the chalets are full and the taste of delicious cooking can be enjoyed everywhere. The country of Kuwait is a small but large place where all communities enjoy the fruits of the land together. From the cafés in Salmiya to the seaside in Shaab; Kuwait has so much to offer. The fall season is also a wonderful time for family, friends and local celebrations in the region as most local and non-locals are back from holidays. Gatherings and laughter can be heard from the outdoor cafés in Marina Crescent, Salmiya to the fine dining in Salhiya Mall, down to Souk Al Mubarakiya in Kuwait City. The cosmopolitan Kuwait City is the capital of the Arabian Gulf nation of Kuwait. At its heart sits the Grand Mosque, known for its vast interior and chandeliered dome. On the waterfront, the late-19th-century SEIF Palace features a neo-Arabic watchtower and manicured gardens. Nearby, the Kuwait National Museum explores history and features science shows at its planetarium. As mentioned, The Souk Al Mubarakiya is a vast food and handicraft market. There is no place like Kuwait in the fall. Now, the days can be quite adventurous as you never know what to wear in the changing temperatures and therefore, can leave your day open to explore the many indoor attractions if you are not keen to be outdoors. Several museums in Kuwait showcase the country’s history, its art, artifacts, archeological findings and even information on the Gulf War. However, there is one exceptional museum that stands out for its depiction of the exquisiteness and custom encompassed in Bedouin crafts, namely Sadu weaving. Sadu House is a beautiful, traditional Kuwaiti styled house where visitors can discover the Bedouin art of weaving, its styles and history. It’s located right next to the National Museum of Kuwait on the Gulf Road. Sadu 20
OCTOBER 2017
House, the Mirror House and Dickson House as well as the many malls such as The Avenues, offer so many things for families to do on long, hot days and then once the sun goes down you are welcome to an array of Kuwaiti hospitality. These long standing historic places will give its visitors a heartfelt experience to Kuwait as well as deepen local Kuwaitis’ understanding of their homeland. Sadu, Mirror and Dickson House are some of the most famous landmarks in Kuwait and share the beautiful culture of the region. They display the traditional past of Kuwait and are rich in information for visitors and locals to enjoy. Now, if museums and history are your cup of tea then Kuwait has its fair share to offer. The Kuwait Maritime Museum in Salmiya offers history buffs a great insight into the pearl diving history of Kuwait. There’s also the Americani Museum, the Al Qurain Martyr’s Museum and the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Caligraphy. All of this will enrich the lens to which any visitor experiences this beautiful land. This lens extends to landmark attractions as well. The Kuwait Towers are located on Arabian Gulf Street in Sharq district and are one of the most famous landmarks in Kuwait. Built in March 1979, it comprises two major towers and a minor tower. There are 55,000 circular steel plates surrounding the towers, painted with 8 different colours. Another popular tower is the Liberation Tower in Kuwait City. The tower recognizes Kuwait’s freedom from Iraq following the Gulf War. The tower consists of a telecommunications outlet, a revolving observatory and a restaurant. Finally, there is history and culture everywhere for you to enjoy. Kuwait has so much history that is documented at the Kuwait National Library, The JACC Opera House and Babtain Library. You can learn a great deal about Kuwait’s culture, history, and life before and after the oil boom that transformed the Middle East.