How does it feel to see the stamps in your passport or hear a different language as you deplane from the aircraft or see people from a different culture milling around you as you pass through the immigration lines at the airport?
It seems like a beginning of an exciting adventure from the start. Right!
That’s how it happened for me, when I came to Kuwait one and a half day ago.
It’s my first visit to this country and I am all set to soak anything and everything the place has to offer.
It is an official visit, but I will get plenty of time to explore the city… fingers crossed. I am so looking forward to it. Here are a few things that I plan to do while in Kuwait.
Eat Local Food : Kuwait is non veg eater’s paradise. I am not a big fan of non-veg actually. Given a choice between veg and non-veg food, I’d pick veg, always. And here I am in this new country and meat has been on my plate for all the four meals up till now. And guess what, I am loving it. Yesterday we went to an Arabic joint and thanks to Fatayer Lahme along with Fatayer Jibna and Fatayer Zaatar, I never knew that I had an adventurous palate. And I am looking forward to more such tempting and tasty adventures.
Soak in the Sights : Of course, wherever I look, a new things are coming in my line of vision. City roads like our expressways, fast moving traffic, left side driving, virtually no two wheelers, beautiful buildings and houses, men is long thwabs and women in abayas (and I must add here that they all are so beautiful and fashionable!) are simply fascinating.
Learn : Though most people speak English and we have met quite a few Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis in and around our hotel who are so happy to speak in Hindi with us, I am however keen to learn a few sentences and phrases in Arabic.
Like yesterday, we were in this market and I met this friendly old man.
He asked me something in Arabic and I drew a blank. Another person translated it for me and we got chatting. And it was fun talking to him and in the process picked up a few Arabic words. It’s interesting that it is similar to Urdu which I am familiar with. For instance, a thank you is Shukriya in Urdu and Shukraan in Arabic.
I can see that the customs and traditions of the people in Kuwait are truly unique. I don’t want to just observe these customs, I wish I could participate and be one of them as they follow them. I hope that gets ticked off from my wish list.
As I prepare for the unexpected and go with the flow in Kuwait, you have a great week ahead and keep watching this space for more updates and pictures from this sojourn of mine!
65 Responses
Sounds like a lot of fun, Shilpa. I’m so curious about that pizza like bread. Do share.
That’s Fatayer Zaatar, a flat bread with spices and sesame seeds. Tastes great. So far, the trip has been one fun adventure. Looking forward to more 🙂
So interesting to learn about a new culture and soak it in first hand..waiting to read more, Shilpa..
It sure is, Nabanita… it’s so different from our culture and systems. Loving it. Hopefully, should share the next post tomorrow 🙂
Good to know that you are enjoying a new place. I was in Saudi Arabia for two weeks recently and the experience was strikingly similar to yours. I too had the Fatayer breads and other non-veg delicacies. Sharing my experience post here: http://natasha-pointstoponder.blogspot.in/2015/12/across-arid-lands.html
I read about your travel in Saudi Arabia, Natasha. It was a cool trip 🙂
It’s interesting to see such variety of non-veg foods here. I am sure to add on lots on kilos here 😛
Exploring new places is always adventurous and exciting…. Enjoy
Thanks, Jayashree 🙂
My husband had gone to Kuwait many years ago on work and shared some exciting tales with me. So nice that you get to explore a new culture. Don’t forget to shop for dates and olives.
Oh yes, the tales from Kuwait can make for some interesting conversations. And that’s because their culture is so unfamiliar to us, their traditions are so different. Yes, dates and olives are on my shopping list 🙂
Wow! That’s a great start with lovely info on kuwait. Waiting for more…Have a good time Shilpa:)
Thank you, Asha 🙂
The sea looks awesome Shilpa. Hope you enjoy your trip and do share more adventures – culinary or otherwise with us 🙂 Looking forward to more stories of your interaction with the locals!
Soaking, exploring and experiencing Kuwait and yes, all that will be on the blog. Thanks Ankita 🙂
oh the fatayer – how lucky you are to taste them 🙂 have fun! i miss the food so much that i once had a brother in law parcel a fatayer and carry it with him back to india.:)
I wish I was in the same city as yours, Sharon, would have loved to get it for you from here. Fatayers are indeed so yum. We were at the Shuwaith Cafeteria and Pastries and the speed and expertise with they were making them was simply fascinating!
Have fun, Shilpa! I sure had fun reading this 🙂
Thanks Raj 🙂
I love Dubai, Shilpa…. 🙂 I visited last year. Wonderful snaps. i’m watching this space for more updates and pictures …. 🙂
Thanks Vasantha and yes, do come back for more 🙂
Interesting Shilpa.. It’s really amazing to go to a new place, learn about the culture, taste the local cuisine and visit beautiful places 🙂
By the way, i loved the design of your blog.
Thanks Mahathi. Glad you liked it here 🙂
Wow! That food looks yum. Glad you are soaking in as much as you can. Do that and it can only get better 🙂 Have fun and keep writing 🙂
The food is simply amazing and so diverse too. I am sure to put on a lot of weight here. 😉 Thanks Parul 🙂
travelling to new places is so liberating & informative too 🙂
The food looks yumm and the blue waters look beautiful! 🙂
True that. Travel opens our minds, our world, our outlook towards life! 🙂
🙂
You had me at local food 😀
Aah food! You’ll love today’s post which I’ll be sharing shortly 🙂
All the best learning Arabic. You might also teach them some Hindi 😛 In the first photo, raw vegetables are the side dish for roti??
Destination Infinity
Yes, that’s the plan. Hindi… well, they should be interested to learn it first 🙂 It’s salad! The ‘rotis’ are stuffed with meat and cheese.
Hey, welcome to this part of the world, Shilpa! :). Such wonderful pics. Have a great stay. Any chance of you hopping by Dubai? Message me if you do 🙂
Aha! I am in your part of the world. Oh, that goes without saying. Hope we meet soon 🙂
Wow! Vacation, Shilpa? Enjoy! Looking forward to lots of pictures! Have a lot of friends in Kuwait who call it Q8 🙂
No, it’s work, Vidya! Q8 is perfect for Kuwait as one can see so many Audis on the roads here 🙂
Interesting and exciting! I envy you for seeing the world. Thanks for sharing it with me. ♥
Thanks Kathy 🙂
It’s always fun to overcome language barrier in the most unique way, Shilpa. Have an awesome trip.
It sure is, Vishal. Thanks 🙂
Ooo so exciting. Being the foodie and travel junkie I am, I can’t wait for more updates from you about this awesome trip! Have fun! 🙂
New post is up, check it out, Aditi 🙂 Thks.
BTW, loved your Amsterdam travelogue! Gorgeous pics too 🙂
Have a great trip Shilpa! Discovering new places is always exciting.
Thanks Mr Bhatia 🙂
Travelling to a new place and exploring a different culture is definitely fun. Have a great time while you are there and keep us posted 🙂
Thank you Anamika 🙂
Will share more soon!
This certainly looks like great fun Shilpa, all the best for your work, learning and explorations.
Thanks a lot, Rachna 🙂
Oh, you had me right there. Arabic Cuisine is just delicious! I hope you have a great stay, Shilpa! Have loads of fun! 🙂
No doubt about that… Arabic food is masha allah amazing!
Thanks Shalini 🙂
Kuwait! I lived my childhood days in Bahrain! Very close by…some of the pics brought back some childhood memories! HAve fun!
Wow! That’s cool 🙂 Thanks Danny 🙂
hope you have a great time 😀 The food looks similar to ours, is the taste similar too?
I tasted these stuffed breads for the first time. So have no comparison to share actually 🙂
Enjoyed your post, Shilpa! Sounds like a lot of fun over work. Thanks for sharing the lovely food pics for our benefit! Looking forward to the next 🙂
Thanks Esha! 🙂
New post on the food in Kuwait is live now. 🙂
This sounds so exciting Shilpa. I love the way you go exploring all on your own. The food looks gorgeous though I hope they have something for vegetarians too.
They do have vegetarian food but not as elaborate as non-veg spread. Of course, there are a lot of Indian restaurants which serve Indian food, South Indian food, Bhelpuri etc. Yesterday, we had dinner and had pani puris, sev puris, masala dosa, dahi badas and it was YUM! And we gorged on this food like some starved people! 😀
Ohho….how wonderful….trip sounds interesting. Click more pics 🙂 Eat lots of good food. I seriously wonder, what happens to vegetarians?
Since there is a huge Indian community here (I think Indians top the list of immigrants in Kuwait), there are a LOT of Indian restaurants that serve authentic Indian food. You get everything here. There are Indian stores which even have kuttu and singhare ka atta. All achars, namkeens, dals, spices are from India in these Indian stores. So, vegetarians have a good time here too 🙂
Glad to hear you are kuwait, its always nice to explore new places, and there is so much of learning.. enjoy yourself shilpa 🙂
Thanks a lot, Genevive. Trying to soak in as much as possible in this new place 🙂
This is the first time that I read a post about Kuwait. Very interesting Shilpa. Hope you had lots of fun.
Thanks A! Yes, it was a fun and an interesting trip!
While reading Kuwait info, makes me very interesting. I’m just wordless.
Thanks once again
Shlipa, let me know will all restaurant’s in Kuwait provide Halal food or only a few. do you have any list of restaurants which serves Halal food!