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Daily life in Kuwait

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:06:20 GMT

By Natasha E. Feghali

Welcome to SoMu in the Souq Mubarakiya!

Sights, sounds and smells are what you will walk into when you reach SoMu Mubarakiya. A space founded by Ahmad Al Ghanim, it is a little area comprised of 14 restaurants, textile and coffee shops. It gives Kuwait a new taste of cultural modernity!

As I walk through SoMu and have my dinner at Chutney’s, an Indian inspired restaurant owned by Amal AlFares, then grab a coffee at Caffeine by co-owner Ali AlHasan and later walk over to Lina’s Art Café owned by Lina Hijazi and grab a delicious dessert before making my way over to Wayed Chic owned by sisters Sarah and Maali AlQabandi to see the new fashion collections; I ask myself if I am in a big metropolis like New York or Toronto as it does have that feeling.

Let’s fast forward; over 200 years ago, a marketplace was created in the Al-Mubarakiya area as a platform for vendors to showcase their produce in a raw, non-commercial way. The Souq – market – soon became a cultural hub, catering to visitors, whether for the weekly grocery shop or simply an outing to a space bursting with tradition and vividness. With Sheikh Mubarak Al Kabeer’s Kiosk in the center of it all, people were able to openly communicate their hopes, dreams, and worries to their leader.

A once deserted area with no beauty, culture or anything, SoMu Mubarakiya (which stands for South Mubarakiya) was nothing more than rubble and abandoned stores. A visionary and creative, Ahmad Al Ghanim took the area into his hands and created a now booming hub for intellectuals, artists, creative and all. A welcoming feeling when you pass by the shops and speak to the owners, try free samples, enjoy the never ending sights of children playing, friends gathering and creativity being spread across tables; it is the new wave in Kuwait. A new hub, an area, a place where people gather to enjoy the very finest of Kuwait; SoMu is a wonderful place for all to enjoy regardless of your desire.

“At first I had no idea or concept. I had a lease on a store but absolutely no idea what I was going to do” said Ali AlHasan a co-owner in Caffeine. “However I knew I wanted to be here”. The story of the shop owners in SoMu that I had the absolute pleasure to meet all had the same vision. “At first we were 3 partners” shares Lina Hijazi of Lina’s Art Café, “then I found myself with an idea and my eventual partners could not continue. So I decided what a better time to start my dream than here in SoMu”. According to all the shop owners I spoke with, Ahmad Al Ghanim - the brainchild behind his store THOUQ -wanted to do something different and creative. The result has been SoMu a heaven for all who hang out. And it really does capture your heart.

SOMU is thriving with new and locally conceived businesses. Most of the new restaurant outlets and cafes have indoor and outdoor seating areas. If you’re fan of all things Parisian, then a visit to the French-inspired Flower Latte café is a must. If you prefer dining organic, then the burgers at Brothers Street Food Burgers and 7th Heaven restaurant will definitely tick all of the boxes. Looking to dine at an establishment that fuses old Kuwaiti traditions with modern values, and then definitely head to Msayaan. SoMu can still be accessed pretty easily from the main road.

“We just opened” explains Maali Al Qabandi, “It is amazing the feedback we have had. People from all over Kuwait come to Wayed Chic. It is a brand, a concept, a name that embodies tradition and modernity. We want people to recognize our traditions here in Kuwait. Our store, Wayed Chic, is a Kuwaiti label that embodies Kuwait and the international fashion design scene”.

In conclusion, SoMu Mubarkiya has generated quite a buzz in recent years. My favorite time to enjoy a leisurely stroll there is on weekend evenings or just after sunset as well. You can spend an evening there then stop for some desserts and coffee or walk around until you cannot feel your feet anymore. In any case, if you are planning on visiting the Souk Mubarakiya soon, don’t miss SoMu!!

Interested in teaching and living in Kuwait?

Join our team of educators at the American Creativity Academy!

11 fun things to do in Kuwait

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:01:15 GMT

By Michael Scanlon

Everyone gets a big surprise when they move overseas and realize that it’s not quite like going on holidays. You must wake up at the crack of dawn and go to work like you would back home. Driving to school you will see people running along the beach and wish that you were them.

The good news is that during your free time you will have lots of things to do while you’re here in Kuwait.

This coastal country has more to offer than most people imagine. From history to shopping to dining, Kuwait is first class all the way. There are plenty of fun things to do in Kuwait. As it’s continued to develop, Kuwait has drawn more and more expats to this fascinating country where modern and traditional meet and mesh.

Kuwait is a perfect place to live for people of all ages and over the years there are lots of things to keep you busy. Here are some of the things that I’ve tried and really enjoyed while living in Kuwait.

Jet skiing in Kuwait

When the skies are blue and there’s very little wind it’s time to go jet skiing. It really is one of the best ways to see Kuwait and enjoy yourself at the same time. If you’ve never jet skied before it’s really very easy and not complicated at all. A jet ski has just two buttons and one lever. The buttons are for starting and shutting down the engine while the lever is for accelerating. To slow down the jet ski you just let go of the lever. You don’t need to know how to balance a jet ski or anything of the sort, you just sit on it and pull the lever and that’s pretty much it. There are various locations on the Gulf Road where you can rent jet skis from and if it’s something you would like to do on a regular basis you will be able to buy your own jet ski here in Kuwait.

Fishing Charters

You and your friends might like to organize a fishing charter and head out for the day and explore the Arabian Gulf. Make sure to check the fishing calendar to see which fish are in Kuwait’s waters. Keen anglers and divers visit the Arabian Gulf from around the world to explore the area’s reefs, islands, and deep blue waters. If you’re lucky enough to be one of them, you could spend your day battling anything from Snapper and Grouper to huge Cobia, Amberjack, Queenfish, and more.

Scuba Diving

Kuwait’s coastline stretches about 100 miles and is decorated by stunning seascapes and crystal-clear waters, making it a favorite for divers. Kobar Island is among the most popular dive spots in the area and is a place where one can experience an underwater world filled with stingrays, fish, and corals. Even if you’re not a big fan of getting into the water, Kobar Island is the perfect place to relax and get some sunshine on the beach.

Kuwaiti Premier League

Football is the most popular sport in Kuwait and it’s a wonderful way to spend a night cheering on your favorite team. The Kuwaiti Premier League is the top league of Kuwaiti football, featuring eighteen teams. Kuwait is home to many football clubs including Al-Arabi, Al-Kuwait, Al-Salmiya, and Al Qadsia which is based in Hawally. Kuwait often hosts many international games also as they try and qualify for the Asian Cup or World Cup. Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium is where most of the national team’s games take place, and it is an impressive arena.

Souq Al Mubarakiya

For some traditional shopping head to one of Kuwait’s oldest markets. The bargains here are nearly unbeatable, and it’s easy to spend several hours wandering around uncovering them all. For those who love to shop, you’ll find everything from traditional costumes and silk carpets to jewelry and authentic Arab antiques. When it comes to food, the shops here specialize in everything from spices and sweets to fish and fruit. In addition to everything going on in the market, there are also two free mini museums here – Sheikh Mubarak Kiosk and Kuwait’s first Islamic pharmacy. The perfect place to get authentic souvenirs, you don’t want to miss Souq Al-Mubarakiya while living in Kuwait.

Grand Mosque

Maybe the only building that has ever taken my breath away! First time I walked into the Grand Mosque I was all alone and unprepared for how beautiful it was. World renowned for its Islamic architecture, Kuwait’s Grand Mosque is the largest in the country. The 141-foot central dome, arcades of pillars, and pointed arches are only some of the features visitors will marvel at. The mosque is a whopping 220,000 square feet, and there are free guided tours of this impressive building. If you’re going to take a tour, be sure to call ahead and dress appropriately. Head scarfs and abayas are available for women to borrow, if necessary and men should wear full length trousers. With such a magnificent interior, it’s no wonder the Grand Mosque is one of the most famous places to visit in Kuwait.

Trip to Failaka Island

About an hour ferry ride away from the city is the Kuwaiti island of Failaka. The island was settled around 2000 BC by the Mesopotamians and was the country’s longest continuously inhabited location. Prior to the Gulf War the island was home to more than 2,000 residents and several schools. Once Iraq invaded, they forced all the residents to the mainland. Today, homes and buildings remain empty and continue to decay. A visit to this island is an open-air monument to the devastation of war.

Desert Safari

Be sure to take advantage of this bucket list activity during your time in Kuwait. These seasonal safaris can typically be enjoyed between October and March. Several different companies offer this experience, but they typically all include food and transportation. Sights along the way include such things as Kuwait’s famous oil fields, and you can enjoy activities like dune bashing and quad-biking. You’ll also enjoy a delicious Kuwaiti dinner and tea followed by ancient stories before curling up under a canopy of stars or in a Bedouin tent.

Kuwait Towers

A landmark of modern Kuwait, these three towers stand on a cape overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The main tower stands 614 feet high and includes a restaurant, lounge, café, and reception hall. Of the other two towers, one holds water and the other houses equipment to illuminate the larger two towers. The viewing sphere (or Discovery Ball) in the main tower sits at almost 400 feet above sea level and it revolves so you can get an incomparable view of the city and gulf. On a clear day you can nearly see the entire country.

The Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre

If you’re looking to escape the warm temperatures outside, then a day trip to the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre is ideal for you. Expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours here as the scale and size of this museum is quite breathtaking. This cultural complex located close to Kuwait City and consists of six main components: The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Space Museum, Arabic Islamic Science Museum, Fine Arts Centre, and the external spaces known as the Public Realm. The Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Centre is an 18-hectare site making it the world's largest museum complex. It’s suitable for people of all ages and one of my favorite places in Kuwait.

Kuwait Riding Center

This thriving riding center provides beginner and advanced riders with the opportunity to learn more about horses and riding with their experienced instructors. KRC offers both training in dressage and showjumping. You will learn things about stable management, tacking up, and mounting and dismounting before moving on to basic and advanced training. Lots of fun for people of all ages and something that you will always look forward to as their facilities are excellent. Most of the horses are showjumpers, but you will also meet Arabian horses which compete for beauty. If you have time read about the origin of the Arabian horse and find out about why it is known as Al Khamsa in Arabic.

Interested in teaching and living in Kuwait?

Join our team of educators at the American Creativity Academy!

Where I've traveled while teaching in Kuwait

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:38:31 GMT

By Maddy Loubser

Teaching in Kuwait with ACA has opened a lot of doors for me. To travel the world, was one of them.

I come from a country far far away from the rest of the world, and coming to Kuwait has made it easy to travel. Kuwait is neutrally located on our world map, and flights are cheap, and always available, to just about anywhere!

I have visited many countries in the Gulf region on long weekends, many of them as a solo-traveler- such as Bahrain, Oman (a must see!), Qatar for New Years, Dubai for Thanksgiving. I hope to attend the next Formula 1 championship in Abu Dhabi this December! Traveling to these countries is easy, because it is close by, and since we already have the Kuwait civil ID – visa requirements are minimal to none.

Apart from that, I have been to 18 other countries in the world, including Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Georgia, Armenia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Reunion Islands and many more!

Our long, paid summer breaks are a great incentive, as well as an opportunity for you to see the world!

Part of the fun is coming back to Kuwait and sharing travel stories with colleagues, as well as having missed Kuwait after leaving it for a while. The world is really your oyster from here!

Interested in teaching and living in Kuwait?

Join our team of educators at the American Creativity Academy!