2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003

re:kuwait posted an updated map of the yet to be built Kuwait Metro. It seems there were some major changes done to it but nothing that effects me. According to the new map I still have a metro stop 5 minutes from my house in Salmiya and one across the street from my office building in Kuwait City. Should be super convenient except it currently takes me around 15-20 minutes from my house to work every morning and back every evening so I doubt I would use the metro for my daily commute. What I would use the metro for is Avenues on a weekend. Should be more convenient than trying to find a parking spot. [Link]

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Update: I got the following email from a reader, I can’t verify if its accurate or not

Hi Mark,

In relation to the latest post about Kuwait Metro Project, and since your blog gets a lot of hits, i just want to bring to your attention that the information provided by re:kuwait which they got from KOTU is totally not true.

There is a new governmental entity in Kuwait called the Partnerships Technical Bureau established sometime in 08/09 if my memory serves me right to execute a very ambitious development program namely the first IWPP power plan in Kuwait operated by the private sector, the metro project and Failaka Island development.
The below links are proof of what actually is happening now with regard to the metro. There is no map deveopled or finalized everything is still under study and they should finalize it very soon.

1. E&Y kicks off work on ‘Kuwait Metro’

2. Kuwait Metropolitan Rapid Transit System Project in Kuwait: Consulting Services for Transaction Advisor

Anyways just wanted to clear this misunderstanding in Kuwait i know alot of people read your blog.

Anyway great job keep up the great posts.

The video above was created by a blog reader and combines nearly 900 photos. Ahmadi at night looks amazing right now. [YouTube]

Thanks Sinful eye

Bayt Lothan have an event that started a couple of days back and will last every night up until the 23rd. The event showcases craftsmen working like they used to in the past and then at night they have traditional live music hosted by a variety of famous Kuwaiti artist like Basem al Radhan and Ferqat el Television amongst others.

Date: February 19th to February 23rd
Time: 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 9pm
Location: Bayt Lothan

Here is the flier for the event [Link]
Do not miss this!

Update: Here is the music schedule for the next few days
Monday – Laylat Haban
Tuesday – Bassem alRadhan,
Wednesday – Hamad Bin Hussein
They’re playing from 7pm to 9pm

In honor of Kuwait’s National Day, Emirates is going to fly an A380 into Kuwait on the 26th of February. The A380 is the humongous double decker plane that has nearly 400 economy seats, 76 business class and 14 first class. I’ve never been on one before but a friend of mine did and told me it’s incredibly huge, they even have showers on board. Emirates won’t be adding the A380 on their Kuwait Dubai route anytime soon but it’s still a nice gesture from them. The Kuwait Airport has been A380 ready since the end of last year. [Link]

Whoever started this car window sticker trend in Kuwait is a genius. I think I first started noticing them at Marina Mall but now other malls in Kuwait are using it and even universities. Basically how it works is if you park in a place you shouldn’t park (handicap spot, over the curb, black and yellow etc..) you get a sticker stuck on your window telling you not to do it again. Doesn’t sound too dramatic but you can’t really just peel those stickers off your car since they tear apart and look horrible. Because it’s actually pretty difficult to get removed is why this is so smart.

Many people would rather get a ticket than get a sticker which is why I think cops should start using these. Anyone caught speeding? Give them a ticket AND stick this on their window. Car illegally parked? Give them a ticket AND stick this on their window. I think it would work.

They started lighting up the building a few nights ago and looks a lot cooler in person than it does in this video. The tower probably has the coolest light show amongst all the new towers. [YouTube]

The KNPC head office in Ahmadi looks very cool and super trippy at night. [YouTube]

Thanks Keith

Ibrahim Al-hulail is a Kuwaiti student who’s currently studying in Japan and I previously posted a video of his in which he had some Japanese students say a Kuwaiti phrase. Well this time he made a new video to share with my readers dedicated to Kuwait from his Japense friends to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Kuwait and the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait. In the video his Japanese friends sing the popular song Watani Habibi. [YouTube]

Thanks Ibrahim

The Al Salasil bookstore is now open at The Avenues. I was expecting the bookstore to be huge since according to their teaser it was going to be the biggest bookstore in Kuwait but from what I saw it didn’t look like it. I guess I was expecting us to finally get a bookstore as big as Kinokuniya in Dubai. Anyway you can pass by and check it out yourself, they’re located in phase 2 of The Avenues right next to Soccer Scene.

Update: Danderma just posted a review with pictures [Here]
Update2: 965 Malls have some more pictures as well [Here]

As part of a series of events to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Kuwait’s independence and the 20th Anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait after the first Gulf War, the British Council brings the Arun Ghosh Quintet to Kuwait for two live music performances.

First Show
Date: Thursday, 17 February 2011
Time: 7:30pm
Location: The Performing Arts Centre, The English School

Second Show
Date: Friday, 18 February 2011
Time: 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Location: The Avenues, Phase 2 outside Dean & Deluca

Admission is free to both events but for The English School performance it’s strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and you should arrive in good time in order to secure a seat. For more information visit this [Link]

Thanks Guy

Around a week ago the local blog His & Hers posted about a price discrepancy they spotted at River Island and they were very upset because they felt cheated. River Island responded to their post by inviting them over for a meeting so they could explain to them why things are priced the way they are. They didn’t have to do this but they took the extra effort to make things right. You can check that post [Here]

Yesterday on the Dubai Eye radio station during the show Techno Tuesday (Listen here 2nd file starting at 3:30) they brought up the issue I am having with Benihana and one of the hosts mentioned Aramex as a company that handles criticism really well which I have to say is absolutely true. Those of you who have been reading my blog know how much and how often I’ve criticized Aramex in the past and it never got personal. I’ve actually been with them for over 10 years now and I was one of their first 200 customers and they’ve always taken criticism from me and their customers and used it to try and improve their service. Not once did I receive a warning from them or have a package of mine “accidentally” get sent to China. In fact they even wanted me to post asking my readers what issues they also had with them, which I ended up doing.

Now that’s good customer care.

Kuwait Charity Run has teamed up with Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice to raise funds and awareness within the Kuwait community, bringing you Kuwait’s 1st Half-Marathon Run!

Kuwait Charity Run is a non-profit group founded to encourage community members, runners, and athletes to raise funds and donations for good causes and engage in outdoor sports activities.

Distance: 21km or 10km
Date: March 19th 2011

For registration and much more information visit their website [Here]

I just found out from local blog Brake Banzeen that Valentino Balboni, the famous Lamborghini test driver was in Kuwait during the Concours d’Elegance. I also found out Wayne Carini from Discovery Channel’s Chasing Classic Cars was also there. Not sure how I missed them since I was there that day. Luckily Brake Banzeen spotted them and you can check out his two posts below:

Chasing Wayne Carini on Brake Banzeen
Valentino Balboni at Concours d’Elegance

I just found out there is a website dedicated to the golden jubilee of the independence of the State of Kuwait. The website has a downloadable PDF of ALL the events that are taking place this month, for example did you know that tomorrow the 2nd Kuwait National Arabian Horse Championship will be held under the Patronage of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait or that tomorrow in Mubarek Al Kabeer there will be a Sports Day and Entertainment Festival? I didn’t.

Here is the link to the PDF [Link]
Here is the link to the website [Link]

Thanks Franklin

PechaKucha Night #7 will be held tomorrow, Wednesday the 16th of February. 20 images x 20 seconds will be presented by:

Najiba Marafie
Bader Al Bassam
Haider Al Mosawi
Monira Al Qadiri
Naif Al Mutawa
Mohammed J. Aldhubaib
Najwa Marafie
William Schuilencerg
Ola Alrefai

Date: Wednesday, February 16th 2011
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Open air ampitheater at Gulf University of Science & Technology campus, West Mishref
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/kuwait-city
Facebook: Pecha Kucha Kuwait

Update: Just corrected the dates above, it’s February 16th NOT 17th