Jenn's list has taken me to a place that in America, has gone by the wayside. I remember the 1990 invasion by Saddam Hussein and Iraq. I happened to be trying to return home on January 17, 1991 from Germany. What a day. That was the day that America launched Desert Storm. All the airports in Europe were closed that day. But, I digress.
Kuwait is a complicated city and country. There are still parts of the shore in particular and some parts of the desert, that you are not recommended to travel to. Why? Well, because there are still unexploded devices out there that could kill you. So, a first piece of advice is to check the State Department website and make sure that you know about the few restrictions that you should follow before visiting the country. There are still unsafe areas along the border with Iraq as well. Depending on what you do in the country, you may need a Visa when coming from the U.S. Know before you go on this one.
Make no mistake. One of the things that you will want to do while in Kuwait City is to visit the Martyr's Museum and the History Museum. You will learn about the invasion of Kuwait from the Kuwaiti point of view. I find that visiting such museums when I travel gives me a more unique perspective about a country's history. Here in America, we learn our point of view. Sometimes it can be very different to hear the local history.
Kuwait is a melange of old and new, traditional and modern, religious and cultural. There are many things to see, do and learn in the city, but the one that they seem to be world famous for, besides oil and a war, is their ice skating rink. When the ice skating rink was built, it was publicized all over the world, and considering the heat in the region, it was a modern marvel. Over time, the rink has become an icon of the city. The residents of Kuwait City love to ice skate. I would liken it to swimming in Iceland. The rink is a must visit while in the city, just like going to see the Eiffel Tower is in Paris.
Kuwait is a wealthy city by internationals standards. Luxury was the term until Saddam showed up. But the nation's oil company has an exhibit that will help you understand what petroleum has meant to the area, and you will also learn about the leader who brought the wealth of oil to this tiny nation.
In the Middle East you see much to do about material things. Abu Dhabi is famous for being ground zero for what you can do with too much money. Well, in Kuwait City there is also a lot of excess, even today. There is a car museum that you can visit that showcases some of the modes of transport that have been used by the local affluents over the years. If you choose not to visit the museum, just take a walk down a main thoroughfare in the city and take a look at what drives by.
Tradition is alive and well in Kuwait City. You can learn about Calligraphy at the local museum. Calligraphy is an ancient art practiced all over the Middle East to this day. There are places to learn about the Bedouin Culture and many other local cultures. There is what I would compare to an international village, known as the Cultural Centre, where you can learn about several area ancient cultures. You can take a cruise on a Dhow from the old harbor. If you don't want to ride on the boats, you can just take a walk and look at them all as they sit along the docks. You can visit the fish market where the local fisherman who use those Dhows bring their catch every day. It's all a matter of tradition, and it is alive and well in the mighty modern Kuwait City.
Eating is a great pastime in Kuwait City. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of eateries in the city, and they represent several kinds of food from all over the region. You can also get Korean food in Kuwait. It's popular there. You can eat at any number of food stands and stalls, food courts and restaurants. The restaurants range from casual to extravagant, depending on your taste.
Another place to find food is one of the markets, or Souqs. There is more than one market in the city, and you can find all kinds of wares from all over in them. Mubarakiya is the most famous. You can furnish your house, buy your groceries, purchase luxury items, plan a wedding and all kinds of things. Clothes, cookware, food, baskets, rugs, jewelry and everything imaginable. They are ancient markets and the merchants there love to haggle. So, if you ever had that yearning to go to a market where you could haggle over the prices, the Souqs are for you.
If what your looking for is some luxury shopping, Kuwait City has you covered. There are malls everywhere. They have any luxury, international item you ever dreamed of. The locals love to shop and they love to spend their oil baron money. Just keep in mind to bring your credit cards, be ready to ship it all home, and pay a pretty price for anything you buy. The malls are full of prime boutiques, and major international fashion.
I'm pretty sure that Kuwait City was somewhat influenced by Las Vegas at one point. They have a few things that make me think that way. We discussed the ice rink in the desert. They also have their famous musical fountains at the Cultural Centre. Here you get to check out the various local cultures and have a great time watching the fountains shoot water to music. It's another must see while in the city. The towers are also one of the landmarks in the city and shouldn't be missed. They are an integral part of the city's modern skyline. Visitors can go up and look out of a fabulous observation deck and go to an internationals buffet. It's a little Vegas, but worth a visit to all the venues.
Last, but certainly not least, religion is at the epicenter of everything Middle Eastern, and Kuwait is not different. Muslim is a way of life here, and there are 800 mosques to prove it and choose from. The Grand Mosque is very modern, very beautiful, and one of the main landmarks of Kuwait City. You are welcome to visit it as long as you follow all the rules. If you intend to visit any mosque in the city, and you are not a practicing Muslim; make sure you learn the rules. Women will most likely have to wear a head scarf, and maybe a skirt. Men will most likely have to wear a head covering. There is also the possibility depending on what venue you visit, that you may not want to wear any of that, because you are not of the faith. Always check.
Before I go I would like to point out the benefits of taking a local tour. Kuwait City has a lot to offer, and it's sometimes easier to let the professionals figure out how you can see everything on your list. There are many different kinds of tours. They have city tours, food tours, market tours, shopping tours, boat tours, museum tours, mosque tours and so on. Kuwait is a Muslim country and therefore requires a certain lifestyle of all its residents. Taking a tour can help you fit in a little better and avoid creating an awkward situation. It can also prove beneficial to your personal safety to hire a guide, whether it be for a group or personal. There are questionable neighborhoods in the city, and it's safer to have a guide.
When visiting Kuwait City, take advantage of learning everything you can about the fascinating culture and history. Do some great shopping. Eat some great food. Be respectful of the citizens, their culture, their religion, their history. The language barrier is not the barrier that you need to study for this trip. Do a little research before you go to help you enjoy your trip. It's a one of a kind place in an interesting position on the Persian Gulf. You will never forget it. Enjoy!
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