Category: Kuwait

So I was at the popular Al Remal Al Dahabi garage the other day with a friend of mine sitting in the waiting room when someone lit up a cigarette. Right away to my surprise someone comes in over the PA system and announces that there is no smoking allowed in the waiting room and they should go smoke outside.

I was like completely taken aback by this. If a garage in Al Rai has started enforcing a no smoking policy then there’s still hope that malls and restaurants will also stop indoor smoking as well. At least I hope so.

I’m not a fan of football but my brother is and he thinks it’s pretty cool that an Arsenal Soccer School has opened up in Kuwait. They’ve got a website up and running with information on the courses plus a registration form to fill if you’re interested in joining. I’m guessing the school is only for children but I couldn’t find any details on their website regarding the age limit. Anyway here is the link so you can check it out for yourself [Link]

Back in 2009 right after 360 Mall had opened I posted about how they needed to install plaques to tell people about the vertical gardens and the Dale Chihuly structures. That was back in September 2009 and nearly two years later 360 Mall started installing these plaques. I shot the one above in front of Ladurée while heading towards OFK. Good move.

I found out about Contemporary Art Platform from the Art Kuwait website and it looks like a big and cool looking space that might end up becoming the trendiest exhibition spot in Kuwait.

CAP already have a Facebook page with a small description and pictures which I just realized were taken by my brother so I’m going to try and get some more information from him. Here is their Facebook page [Link]

A reader sent me an internal 360 Mall memo which contains more information on the world record attempt that’s taking place at 360 Mall. Turns out Habchi & Chalhoub will be attempting to build the biggest perfumes pyramid in the world using 50,000 bottles of Paco Raabane perfume cartons.

According to the memo the pyramid will be ready and on display starting today since a judge from the Guinness World Records as well as the media and other personalities will be there to check it out. Here are some more details regarding the pyramid:

Base: 36 m2
Height: 5.5 m
Number of perfumes used: 50,000 pieces
Building time: 32 hours for 2 days

Thank Yousuf

[YouTube]

Yesterday I posted about the NewAir recycling program but a reader emailed about another organization which he is part of that also provide recycling solutions (but only for companies). The organization is called Istidamah and the video above is one of their projects which they worked on with Al Diwan Al Amiri.

A couple of you were also asking about electronic waste in the comments. According to Istidamah they are currently developing a campaign with the Kuwait Municipality regarding electronic waste recycling. Currently in Kuwait e-waste (which consist of hazardous chemicals) is mixed with other types of waste and dumped in poorly designed municipal landfills. At this current time Istidamah is the only company in Kuwait that works with UN certified electronic waste recyclers. What they do basically is segregate and dismantle e-waste in Kuwait but then ship the items to the certified recyclers abroad. They’re hoping to one day develop their own local facility for e-waste recycling but for now that isn’t an option.

You can find out more about Istidamah by visiting their website [Here]

A friend of mine shot the picture above yesterday of a Chevrolet Traverse with a speed camera in the back. Previously the ministry were using GMC Envoys and tiny Suzuki Jimny’s with cameras in the back to catch speeders but now we’ve got to keep any eye out for one more kind of car parked on the side of the road.

Spotted this closed up area at 360 Mall but don’t have any idea on what kind of record they’re trying to break. All I know is that I’m fed up with these record attempts. It’s not nearly as bad as it is in Lebanon where we’ve broken every stupid food record there is (world’s largest hummus plate, largest fattoush plate, largest wine glass, longest shish kebab, longest taouk sandwich etc..) but it still feels like companies have run out of good ideas.

Just over a year ago I got an email from Dhari Al-Gharabally from the Kuwait Oil Company telling me about a problem they had with stray dogs in Ahmadi and how they wanted to deal with this issue in a humane manner without causing any harm to the dogs. I put him in touch with K’s PATH and since then they’ve been working together solving the stray dogs issue.

Earlier today KOC released a video detailing their relationship with K’s PATH and how they collaborated together on this problem that faced the residents of Ahmadi. All I can say is that I wish there were more companies in Kuwait like KOC and that I’m also really glad we have an organization like K’s PATH to take care of animals in Kuwait.

The video is in Arabic but at around 2:50 into the video John Peaveler the co-founder of K’s PATH comes in and talks in English. [YouTube]

It’s a pretty amazing deal since you also get a free phone line and a 4GB memory card on top of the not yet released iPhone 5.

There is a company in Kuwait called MRC (Metal & Recycling Company) and they’ve got a recycling program called New Air in which they recycle paper, cartons, plastic, metals, PET bottles, water cans, aluminum, boilers, kettles, taps, door handles, electronic items, etc… Now the best part is that they can give you recycling bins for your home so that you could also help the environment by recycling.

All you need to do is get in contact with MRC (details below) and they’ll send recycling bins over to your house. You could then either set up pick up schedules (for example once a week) or the better more environmental friendly option is to call them once your bins are full and they’ll then come by pick up a full load.

So if you’re interested in recycling just give them a call on 97285044 or send an email to [email protected]

Thanks NJ

Note: This service is provided to offices, educational segments, industries, government, complexes etc.. and not only houses

A proper Adidas and Adidas Originals store will be opening up at Hamra Tower. Right now there’s a tiny one at Marina Mall but supposedly the new one will be much larger and most importantly we’re getting Adidas Originals which I personally favor over the regular Adidas. Not sure when they’re opening exactly but Hamra Tower is schedule to open in December so maybe then.

If gas in Kuwait was the same price as Venezuela would you drive more? I personally don’t think it would make a difference…

1 Venezuela: Caracas — $0.047 per litre
2 Saudi Arabia: Riyadh — $0.127 per litre
3 Libya: Tripoli — $0.142 per litre
4 Turkmenistan: Ashgabat — $0.19 per litre
5 Bahrain: Manama — $0.206 per litre
6 Kuwait: Kuwait City — $0.222 per litre
7 Qatar: Doha — $0.238 per litre
8 Egypt: Cairo — $0.30 per litre
9 Oman: Muscat — $0.317 per litre
10 Algeria: Algiers — $0.317 per litre

[source]

Jleeb residents will be pleased to know that Géant Easy Supermarket will be opening up in 2 days time in Souk Al Jleeb. This will be their second Géant Easy branch in Kuwait with their first being in Salmiya. Géant Easy is smaller than the regular Géant.

There’s a building being constructed right behind mine in Salmiya and recently trucks have been coming, parking in the middle of the road and literally closing a busy main road way causing a lot of traffic in the area. I’m sure this can’t be legal (I think) so I was wondering, in a situation like this who would I have to call to report this closure? The only number I know is the 112 emergency number but I don’t think that’s appropriate.