bazaar July/Aug 2016 by bazaar magazine

July/2016 Jul Aug 2016 | Issue | Issue # 206# 206

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Shop &

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Haven’t you heard of us yet? Whether you are looking for the latest fashion, something for the little ones, a sweet treat or a sumptuous dinner, The Promenade is sure to give you what you want. Here at The Promenade, we strive to be more than just a mall. That's why we have created projects dedicated to giving back to our community.

Here’s how.. The Promenade is owned by the Al Othman Charity Trust Fund, a private fund that actively supports various humanitarian projects throughout the world. The fund is committed to improving the lives of communities in need, and promotes goodwill by dedicating a significant portion of the mall’s profits to its continued

the prom

The Promenade Culture Centre is set to be the capital’s most innovative mixed use space, creating a platform for the arts and cultural activity for the community we live in. The PCC thrives on forging a bond between artists and the audience, and bringing dynamic and original content to the public. SoapBox is an innovative retail space to learn, contribute, and develop your skills alongside like-minded business owners, providing the ideal environment for the aspiring entrepreneur to

leasing options, so from day one you can focus on your business and your passion.

A visit to The Promenade is more than a fun and exciting experience for the whole family, it’s actively supporting our communities in Kuwait and across the globe.

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Int By the time you read this, Ramadan will nearly be over and you won't have to drink Vimto for another year. It's been a calm, contemplative month (unless you work in sales, because trying to sell anything except food in Ramadan is like convincing people to go to the dentist at 6AM on a Friday morning for a root canal. The weather's been great this summer except for the occasional dust storm, but nothing like other years in recent memory when we suffered multiple orange sand storms. Did I just jinx it? If so, I apologize in advance. Now that Eid is upon us, it's time for the mass exodus to begin and for Kuwait to literally empty out. The horror stories about the chaos at the airport have already begun, and apparently it's only going to get worse and worse, since for some reason they simply can't figure out how to deal with large groups of people traveling on the same day around the same time. Oh well, at least the new airport project is underway, so hopefully sooner rather than later, in six to eight years or so, we'll no longer have anything to complain about! This issue of bazaar has us pumped for summer. Travel, food and staycation options along with interesting people around town make for a chilled pool-side read. Starting us off, we got the chance to talk to the superbly artistic Abdulla Al Awadi and carpet guru Haidar Hindi to find out more about MOVA Gallery and the goals behind the beautiful collaborative creative space. As for our Up Close and Personal for this double issue, we opted for the alternative traveler, Adnan Juwayhil. While most have fallen into a routine-ish take on travel, Adnan and his family have perfected the art of caravanning across Europe, making for some interesting stories and fun adventures, and we’re taking notes! Yet, some might find themselves in Kuwait over the summer and that’s ok! We’ve prepared some fun stuff for all of you staycationers out there with a whole bunch of things to do while summering here. You can always let your taste buds do the traveling, so head to ZOI in Shuwaikh Market for some deliciously authentic Greek dishes or enjoy the flavors of Italy at Trapani Cicchetteria in Murouj, brought to us by the foodies behind Melanzane. Want a good old American-style hotdog or burger? Look no further than the infamous Five Guys, their milkshakes alone are a must-try! If leaving the house isn’t your thing and your favorite Korean eatery doesn’t deliver, why not give Carriage a go? We have and we love it! All our favorite non-delivery concepts delivered to our door – and you can totally track the driver in real-time. If after all this you feel your diet might be suffering just a little, sign up with Paleo Paul for healthy paleo meals delivered to you. Just remember, being healthy is a lifestyle, so read about our Truth or Dare, Jon P, a personal trainer with a penchant for peak physical fitness. Most of all though, regardless of what your summer plans look like, we would like to wish you all a wonderful two months and we’ll see you all in September! Happy reading, travelling, and living! Ahmed El-Adly

The bazaar team... Boss Ahmed El-Adly

Operations Tim Burns

Business Development Ihab Mokalled

Design Ahmed Al-Ashab

Content Coordinator/Staff Writer Yasmine El Charif

Staff Writer/Online Media Amira Haroun

Staff Writer Yasmine Dalloul

Communications Hala Y. Sharara

Editor Alia Al Duaij

Contributing Writers Abdulaziz Al-Hashash Barry Rodrigues Deepa Pant Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg Jeanette Teh Mohammed El Soukkary Rita Makhoul

Contributing Photographers Adnan Juwayhil Jalil Marvin

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ADNAN JUWAYHIL

JON P

TRAPANI CICCHETTERIA

ZOI

This month’s Up Close and Personal introduces an adventurous soul. Imagine embarking on long vacations with your loved ones with a caravan to take you wherever your hearts desire! Read his story on his way of traveling, why he loves it, and why we’re all inspired to travel the path seldom taken.

Think about the most intense group workout class you’ve ever taken, then multiply that intensity by five. Meet Jon P., the personal trainer who guarantees to whip your body into shape! But before he makes you cry, he wants to tell you a little about himself in this month’s Truth or Dare.

We flew our taste buds to Italy this month for some mouth-watering cicchette, or Italian style Tapas at Trapani Cicchetteria in Murouj. At Trapani, we shared great drinks, dishes, desserts and stories, and we can’t wait to share our experience with you.

Who doesn’t love the fresh flavors of Greece? Of course, we had to trek over to Shuwaikh Market to sample the deliciousness that is ZOI. Read all about our culinary adventure in this issue.

PALEO PAUL

SUMMER IN KUWAIT

CARPETS OF LOVE

TRY CARRIAGE

No dairy, GMOs, refined sugar or wheat? That’s fine, as long as it’s being done by Paleo Paul! Learn about what happened when one bazaarite sacrificed her love of cheese for a week to try out this paleo meal plan. Read about how it went in this month’s issue.

“Stuck” in Kuwait this summer? Don’t fret, pets! There’s plenty to do here, and many ways to cool down in the scorching heat! Check out our fun-packed guide of cool activities to perk you up for your 965 summer.

When local talents and timeless traditions combine, magic is made! Read the story on Abdulla Al Awadi’s collaboration with MOVA gallery, a Samovar Carpets extension, and the beautiful collection of carpets envisioned by this artistic genius.

The days of delivery woes are coming to an end with this new hunger-saving app! Read our experience with trying Carriage and how we’ve been converted. We will never see home delivery the same way again.

Carpets of love P.40

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what's trending July /August 2016

What: @the_traveling_fork Info: Two NY based foodies take the city one bite at a time. Editor’s Note: Go-to eats if you’ll be in NYC!

What: @chefpaulkitchen Info: Paleo meals right at your doorstep! Editor’s Note: Check out our review of the service!

What: @fantastic.colours Info: Beautiful photo submissions from places all around the world. Editor’s Note: The perfect inspiration for your summer plans.

What: @smallluxuryhotels Info: A collection of over 520 hotels in more than 80 countries! Editor’s Note: Find the small hotel that’s best for you.

www.bazaar.town

What: @travelbuddieskwt Info: The #1 planners for your memorable experience. Editor’s Note: Planning your next trip just got easier!

What: @361.world Info: A platform for atypical travel experiences Editor’s Note: Arab travelers journal away!

What: @happynest.gift Info: Kuwait based gifts and online novelty store. Editor’s Note: The ideal gifts for any occasion!

What: @uberluxesafaris Info: East African Safari experiences Editor’s Note: Why not Safari your summer away?

As much as we work our hardest to give you one rocking print issue after the other, we’re socially active (or try our best to be, we are bazaar humans after all) and we love it! Find us online: It makes our day when we see your tweets/mentions/likes/comments/shares about your favorite features and more. facebook.com/bazaarmagazine

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BAZAAR TAKES A BREAK

Because we all need a little time off! By bazaar staff

We at bazaar do a lot to keep Kuwait busy! Between our dining guide and working our fingers to the bone, coming up with interesting stories and tidbits to keep you all entertained, it’s safe to say that we deserve a break. As a treat, we save up our vacation days to use every July, and vacate to wherever our hearts, bank accounts and passports are willing to take us. This month, we’ve decided to let you in on our summer plans. If you’re stumped on where to go this summer, maybe our destinations can inspire you! Name: Yasmine El-Charif Position: Content Coordinator Summer Destination: Lebanon How often do I go: As often as possible! What I’ll do there: Tan, swim, lounge, dine, dance, explore, and catch up with family and close friends! Why I love it: The majestic scenery, access to pristine beaches, amazing food and an all-around happy atmosphere! What I recommend: Visiting Beirut for a few days, then either heading up to the mountains for some downtime, or hitting the beaches that dot the Lebanese coast from the very south to the north! Foodie experiences can be found all over, from Beirut’s Souk el Akel and Souk el Tayeb, to simply dining at the 16

corner cafeteria—Lebanese produce is by far the best I have ever tasted. Name: Tim Position: Operations Manager Summer Destination: Egypt How often do I go: Not as often as I'd like, trying for once a year What I’ll do there: Get married! Followed by honeymoon and much needed REST! Why I love it: Egypt is where most of my friends are, as well as my in-laws. Social life in Egypt is amazing, with countless different things to do. As for the beaches, we all know that some of the best beaches in the world are in Egypt! What I recommend: Just do the local thing, and avoid the tourist spots. In Cairo, shisha on Road 9 in Maadi, Koshary at one of the many excellent spots downtown, or shopping in Khan el-Khalili. If you want a trip to the red sea, head to Dahab. Name: Yasmine “Smee” Dalloul Position: Staff Writer Summer Destination: NYC, Toronto, Montréal How often do I go: As often as possible What I’ll do there: Visit friends and family, bug Amira, and shop my little heart out! Why I love it: North American city summers are charming. From urban beaches to lazy park picnics and festivals, there’s always something to do!

What I recommend: Stroll through Kensington Market in Toronto to find some vintage goodies, and visit Toronto Island’s Hanlan’s Point Beach. Montreal: Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon at Tams, and head out to Jean Drapeau for the original Piknic Électronik. Also, don’t forget to grab a St Viateur bagel – the best bagels in the world! New York City: shopping heaven, but be sure to visit the MoMA, The Museum of Natural History and Central Park. Tip: Avoid pretzel carts and Times Square like the plague. Name: Amira Haroun Position: Staff Writer/Online Content Summer Destination: NYC How often do I go: First time! What I’ll do there: Explore… and avoid Smee. Why I love it: Bagels, pizza, donuts - ‘nuff said What I recommend: Don’t be a tourist! Name: Ahmed Al Ashab Position: Designer Summer Destination: Italy How often do I go: First time! What I’ll do there: Check out the art, Sistine Chapel, history, pizza and pasta! Why I love it: I studied Italian art history, so I’m really interested in seeing what it’s all about! Some of the best art in the world is in Italy. What I recommend: I’ve never been, so your guess is as good as mine!

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH…BUT NOT TOO FAR By Mohammed El Soukkary

It’s summertime again. You can tell by the fact that your steering wheel has melted in the parking lot and it is time to do what all clever birds do at this time of the year and look for somewhere a little further from the sun to spend some time. After your hands have healed from the steering wheel burn, you take the time to look through all the usual destinations, the beaches, the resorts, and have a feeling of déjà vu that you just can't shake; everything seems familiar, like you’ve been there before, and places are starting to look a little too similar to each other. You almost contemplate staying home this year. It's almost not worth it, going through the trouble of being searched at the airport again ("randomly selected", of course) to have the same overpriced food and visit the same places you've seen before, and take the same selfies with the same backgrounds. Maybe you can just recycle last year's vacation photos onto your timeline and instead relax on the couch and watch TV. And that’s OK. Maybe it's time to put some money into your saving account instead. It is a siren song of laziness that is difficult to argue against. If, however, you do finally succumb to the call of the road, try to think a little bit out of the box; don’t 18

stay within the usual groove that you have carved out for yourself over the years. Pause, take a breath and think about stepping out to a whole different world. There are places out there that have much to offer; they have scenes of natural and manmade beauty, they have natural wonders that will leave you breathless (and not because you had to walk 12 kilometers to get there), not to mention a variety of tasty and hearty dishes. They also have a plethora of different activities that you can engage in instead of the usual throwing a frisbee on the beach and hitting sunbathers exercise that some people engage in every year (yes we all see you and no we don’t care about your tan). "But I am not a seasoned traveler," you protest, "and I have two kids to drag along. You can't expect me to hike through the jungle and explore unmapped territories to look at a tree. I need at least three bathrooms within any 20 meter radius, and a hotel room no further than a short ride away." To this, I say relax. It's fine. Most people who live in destination spots have wizened up to the idea that if they provide better services, more people will come and bring their wallets with them. That is why you will find hotels, hostels, and rooms nearly everywhere that you can expect to visit. Not only that, but in this increasingly interconnected world, even the most remote accommodations have probably been reviewed, which

means that you will be able to know beforehand what you can expect from any given place. When we say go out and explore today, we mean broaden your search terms on Google and Tripadvisor, not gather your things in a sack, go on a wooden boat and develop scurvy. Most of us tend to stick to a few spots that we rotate our vacations on. We get used to a particular spot or two and gradually become more attached to them, and they become familiar and comfortable. When you look a little farther than you are used to however, and turn your eyes towards different direction, you will begin a journey along a path that you otherwise would have been blind to. Travel can be enriching to the mind and the spirit. You can visit waterfalls inside valleys, or ancient cities right on the sea, or even hidden lakes, and virgin beaches. You can visit monuments to man's ingenuity. Nothing is farther than a plane ticket away. While it is not an entirely terrible idea to lounge back on the beach, sipping on a cool refreshing drink while lazily contemplating never going back to the office again, every once in a while it is important to take a journey to the unfamiliar, and explore some place that you would never have thought you would visit. Take a walk off the beaten path, it doesn’t have to be by far, and maybe you'll find something that will make you genuinely smile.

This is INTERSPORT. A stronger, faster, healthier team.

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Murouj, Sahara: 4/3/22057012

ZAINAB SALBI AND THE TALK SHOW THAT'S A VOICE OF CHANGE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The Iraq-born activist's Nida'a Show is helping the region explore once-taboo topics By Amy Farley

When Iraqi-born activist Zainab Salbi launched her TV talk show last fall with TLC Arabia, she had a specific goal: to foster frank conversations about topics not often discussed openly in the Middle East, including transgender issues and child brides. Titled Nida’a Show ("The Calling"), the program’s first season was available in 4 million households in 22 countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa and featured Salbi’s interviews with regional tastemakers and international celebrities (such as Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey). "Unless the region starts to reflect on its own behavior, we can’t deal with ISIS, human rights, or other problems," says Salbi, who founded the not-for-profit Women for Women International in 1993 to help victims of war. "We need to create a safe space for this." Why create Nida’a? The idea began with the Arab Spring, which I watched with excitement. The culture is struggling right now; 60% of the population is under 30, and I am doing this to help them push against the boxes that the culture has put them in. When I was growing up in Iraq, the idea of expressing yourself was unthinkable. It’s still a struggle, but far more people are talking about breaking these cultural barriers. What people say about the Arab Spring is that we have crossed the line of fear. We are not willing to go back. Do you consider the show to be political? There are frontline discussions [in the Middle East that address] the dominant political system, but no one pays attention to the back-line discussions: what people are facing on a day-to-day level, whether it’s garbage collection in Beirut or having children out of wedlock. People talk about ISIS in political terms, but not the emotional trials and choices that ISIS forces on people. They don’t talk about the issues from the heart. The show airs in some countries that have poor human-rights records. Have you had to find creative ways to approach certain topics? I present the issues in a way that’s palatable to the region. [When doing stories about] Saudi Arabian women, for example, I featured a woman who climbed Mount Everest and one who started a popular fashion line. These are stories of triumphs, which is my way of trying to show the possibilities. And then I go little by little into the issues. I don’t approach as an activist. My agenda is to push softly. For more Information on Zainab Salbi's work, Including The Nida'a Show visit her website: @www.zainabsalbi.com 20

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up close & personal

CARAVANNING EUROPE

Unconventional travel with Adnan Juwayhil and his family By bazaar staff

Going off the beaten track and exploring the unknown makes for incredible stories to retell. While most of us use planes, trains and automobiles to get to our selected destinations and around; Adnan Juwayhil had a different idea. You see, the problem with booking hotels and flights is the immobility. Yes, you can still get around and jump from one city to the next, but with a family of five, it can get tricky. “I’ve always wanted to be an explorer and adventurer,” Adnan explained, “and the conventional way of travel doesn’t really suit the way I envision my ventures.” In an effort to find his ideal travel-mode, Adnan found his call to adventure in the form of a caravan. Along with his wife, Maha, and their three boys: Fares, Feras and Omar, Adnan and his family venture out in search of an incredible experience. “[Essentially] a caravan can be considered as a moving home or hotel: It has beds, a bathroom, shower room, kitchen, a fridge and freezer, air-conditioner and a heating system, dining room, and a garage for storage. The space is little tight, but perfect for a 3-week journey,” he laughed. The beauty of caravanning is the freedom to enjoy. Want to relish in the splendor of a certain view a little longer? Go right ahead! The next guest isn’t awaiting to be checked-in and you certainly won’t be charged for staying an extra night. You have everything you need right there and are constantly ready for adventure! Picnicking, kayaking, fishing and even swimming are always options, you can pick an activity at the drop of a hat. Always prepared, Adnan and his family prebook their caravan in their starter-country-ofchoice three months before their travel date. “The moment we land at the airport we take a taxi, bus or train to where the caravan is located,” Adnan elaborated on their process. “Then, the first place we visit is the closest grocery store to fill the fridge and purchase all the necessary items [like blankets] and off we go!” With the travel itinerary at hand and every last detail planned out, Adnan starts his drive. “Towards the end of the day, we locate the nearest campsite to stay the night. Early the next morning, we start our journey by either fishing or hiking in the area and enjoy it for a few days or move on to our next location.” Doing this once or twice a year is no easy task, and 22

Adnan considers himself lucky to have such a spirited family and a loving, supportive wife. With their collective desire to explore the world and the unlimited freedoms that come with renting a caravan, their temporary home-on-four-wheels fits the bill brilliantly. Understanding that the comforts of home aren’t available on their journeys, they’ve taken to splitting up chores and tasks to keep the caravan clean and everyone well-fed. With over 6000 campsites Europe-wide, Adnan finds it interesting that those camping out are fascinated by him and his family. “Every time we visit a campsite, people tell us ‘we’ve never seen people from your region come here by caravan’.” It was never easy for Adnan to convince people to embark on such trips and found it rather challenging, but rather than opposing this notion, his wife said “Why not?!” Because the stories are endless, Adnan

shared a hilarious (in hindsight) mishap: “One night when we went to sleep, we forgot to bring in the clothes left outside to dry. It started raining very heavily that night and when we woke up we had to restart the cleaning and drying process all over again.” It’s also safe to say that luggage mishaps are inevitable, as Adnan recalls yet another story: “We were leaving by train to get to the airport, and took all of our luggage with us to the end of the train [at the economy seats]. When the ticket inspector came to punch our tickets, it turned out that we were mistakenly sat in first class! We obviously apologized, and went to the back of the train and ended up leaving our luggage in the front. When the train stopped at the next station, we thought that we have enough time to walk all the way to the front to get our luggage, but unfortunately the doors closed very quickly and the train started

moving to its next destination. Yes, our luggage was still in there and we were not. Shocked and laughing, we couldn’t believe that happened! We then had to quickly figure out where the train’s next stop was and found a rental office and leased a Jeep and set the navigation to the next station and started driving. It was like a car chasing scenario, and we laughed a lot. As rattling as this moment was, we had lots of fun especially that we weren’t sure whether we’d get there on time. But, thankfully, we made it and found all our luggage intact!” Adnan and his family never shy from adventure and face any situation with a smile on their faces and a positive outlook. Always aspiring to do something new, Adnan’s outlook on life and travel is inspiring. As for what the rest of the family have to say about their love of adventure: Maha conquered her fear of heights when she and Adnan got [Continued...] 23

[...Continued] married. “He helped me see the world through a different lens. I rediscovered that life is beyond what we imagine, instead of living in cage made out of our fears, we must unleash our thoughts and ideas on how we live our life, because no one will live forever.” The boys each have their own takes on traveling via caravan. Fares’ excitement comes in the form of whale watching when they took a boat ride north of Norwegian islands of Lofoten. “It was a great experience for us to learn new things about the biggest creatures living on earth!” He also laughs about the seasickness pills that didn’t do their jobs. Feras on the other hand loved that they got to spend three days at Disney’s campsite: “I’m lucky to travel in a caravan with my family because I can take my bike anywhere I want, I can eat whenever I’m hungry, sleep whenever I’m tired and swim whenever we stop near a lake or sea!” The youngest, Omar, enjoys the fishing aspect of it all the most! “Fishing is all what I want. We catch lots of big fish in Norway, much bigger and tastier than what we've ever caught back home.” Adnan and his family are an inspiration to anyone wanting to explore the world outside of their comfort zones. Ready to pack up and go, all they need to decide as a family is what direction they want to go from their starting point – North or South. Up close and personal questionnaire: What do you most value in your friends? Friends who can stand adversity. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect achievement. What is your greatest fear? Time passing by. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Impatience. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Wickedness. Which living person do you most admire? Those who excel in whatever they do. What is your greatest extravagance? My entrepreneurial projects. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “I'll take my chances.” What is it that you most dislike? Traffic jams. Which talent would you most like to have? Focusing. If you could have any job, what would it be? I am self-employed, so I couldn’t ask for more. What would you consider your greatest achievement? Turning my company into a global brand. What is your most treasured possession? My family. What is your most marked characteristic? Passionate and hardworking. Where would you most like to live? Northern Norway. What are your favorite words to live by? Change it, or accept it. Images courtesy of Adnan Juwayhil. 24

Enjoy European Peach!

As an exclusively summer, cool, juicy, and full of ďŹ&#x201A;avor fruit, the peach is considered as the fruit of purity and immortality, according to some Eastern traditions.

peach

The peach is ideal for those watching their diet, since it is low in calories, and high in vitamins. Food safety is a top priority for Europe.

www.peachgarden.eu

ÂŹ The Peach Growers Associations that take part in the implementation of this program perform tests in privately-owned laboratories, to ensure thus the safety and quality of the products sold to consumers in the international market.

CAMPAIGN FINANCED WITH AID FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND GREECE

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMING GOVERNMENT By Rita Makhoul

Citizens have increasingly raised expectations for convenient interactions when it comes to dealing with government entities. As a result, government entities around the globe are becoming more adept at deploying digital technology to help improve the way they serve and engage with citizens. In most cities, the inconvenient chore of heading to the local governmental office to apply for a passport, renew vehicle registrations, and so forth has been replaced by simply going to the government websites. Digital advances continue to ricochet around the world and governments have been trying to keep up. Leveraging technology improves collaboration between different entities and advances the levels of service delivered to citizens. Whether it’s evolving how users apply for licenses, creating more efficient processes, fostering increased transparency, or opening up government-controlled data for developers and startups to interact with. There are several ways to push governments into the digital age. Governments with proactive attitudes embracing technology are catching up with the digital age, resulting in a developing ecosystem of governments and entrepreneurs working together. Around the globe, trends like mobility, cloud and data analytics, are advancing under entrepreneurial thinking, agile processes, and open data. The amply named “GovTech” and “CivicTech” startups are hallmarks of innovation, helping governments step into the 21st century. Here is a list of such startups from around the world: Appallicious Based in San Francisco, Appallicious is an open data visualization company that creates products to help government better serve its citizens. It’s best known for its mobility services in disaster response. Municipalities can easily map their emergency resources and dangers in real time using the Disaster and Assessment Dashboard. Citizens can request assistance, first responders can update first aid locations, and local businesses can advertise recovery services. Appallicious is a leader in creating licensable data visualization products that are easily replicated for government and citizens, often in collaboration with the White House, FEMA, states, counties and city agencies. OpenGov An open budget tool, OpenGov, based out of the Silicon-Valley, has taken the complexities of government finance and simplified them into easy-to-read charts, setting a new standard for how governments analyze, share, and compare financial data. With OpenGov’s cloud-based platform, state and local governments of all 26

sizes collaborate more effectively, make smarter data-driven decisions, and achieve greater transparency. Increased access connects citizens with senior staff and elected leaders improving trust and dialogue between cities and citizens. These better tools save time and improve decision-making by putting critical data at the fingertips of key decision-makers. NextRequest The request process is different at different levels of government, and request forms often must be deposited in person to specific government locations between specific hours. NextRequest wants to solve this problem by putting the whole information request process online, saving citizens time and governments money. Also based in San Francisco, NextRequest is a platform that uses the cloud to handle the constant flow of public records requests and an intuitive dashboard to manage them all. GovSense Out of Georgia, GovSense is designed to allow local government to build smarter communities. The company’s cloud ERP is designed specifically for local government, to empower jurisdictions to design flexible, easy-to-use solutions that meet their needs in land-use planning, project review, regulatory management, permitting & inspections, code enforcement, citizen requests, asset management, work order management and more. CitizenLab CitizenLab is a civic engagement platform in Belgium on which citizens co-create their city. The platform facilitates a two-way communication between the city and its citizens. Citizens post ideas, discuss them with each other and upvote the best ideas in an eas, accessible way. On the other hand, the city uses CitizenLab to gauge the opinion of its citizens via polling or to ask their creative solutions to an existing problem.

The platform’s SaaS solution helps cities to tap into the collective intelligence of the citizens and become more responsive to their citizens’ needs. Urban Sync In Austria, Urban Sync allows citizens to cocreate their city. Users can participate in surveys on urban projects and discuss their local area with neighbors anywhere, at any time. Urban Sync provides the initiators and planners of urban projects with the ability to develop the city according to the wishes of those who live there a vision that is based on citizens’ ideas, ratings, comments and wishes. Grillo Grillo is developing a new way of detecting earthquakes and delivering notifications to vulnerable people around the world. Grillo has developed its own infrastructure of seismic sensors in Mexico and plans to reach other countries soon. The sensors are deployed in ‘sensor stations’ which send data using Internet of Things technologies (IoT), and are processed in Google Cloud servers using the company’s proprietary algorithms. This allows Grillo to send accurate and geo-located alerts to the population. SeeClickFix SeeClickFix helps hundreds of cities throughout the United States to manage millions of citizen service requests, enabling citizens to report and monitor non-emergency issues in their local communities. It was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, on the belief that citizens who take the time to report even minor issues and see them fixed are likely to become more engaged in their local communities. Rita Makhoul is the Managing Editor of ArabNet’s website as well the publication ‘ArabNet Quarterly.’ Visit www.arabnet.me for more information.

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FAILAKA ISLAND: WHERE TIME STANDS STILL

Here's why you should forget everything you've heard and head to Failaka Island for a cultural and historical getaway! By Deepa Pant

Despite its crumbling buildings and forgotten lanes, Failaka Island, steeped in history, is one place you should head to for a quiet retreat. An added bonus - it is just 20 kilometers away from the hustle bustle of Kuwait City. The island's history dates back to the Dilmun civilization. It is believed that the Greeks lived on Failaka and called it Ikaros, after the mythological hero. Tourism, admittedly, is in its early stages. But despite its invisibility in guidebooks, Failaka is well worth the detour. Once a bustling town with over 2,000 residents, the island suffered heavy damage during the Iraqi invasion. Many of those who fled never returned. The barren landscape is now dotted with dusty palm trees, abandoned homes, scores of burnt down buildings with graffiti on the walls, half-burnt vehicles and a scattering of armored tanks that stand defiantly as a grim reminder of the Gulf War. On a lazy Friday afternoon, Failaka is eerily silent. The long stretch of dusty roads are largely empty as we make our way, armed with smartphones and cameras. We are a motley crew of artists on a ceramic tour planned by textile artist Ceyda Oskay. We are here to spend some time at a somewhat neglected 28

pottery studio and then do some sightseeing around the island. "Historically, ceramics have been made on the island at least since the time of Alexander the Great," explains Ceyda. "I wanted to share the experience, so I organized a trip there with a great group of people." We take a ferry from Marina Crescent to Failaka, where we are met by a guide who takes us on a short bus tour of the island. The sea is a stunning blue, the sun strong and the sandy beaches inviting. But the stark beauty is marred by pockmarked buildings where the reality of war is plainly visible. Our first stop is the Hotel Ikarus. With its neatly manicured gardens, the food we are served is good and the Turkish coffee even better. Within the vicinity of the Failaka Heritage Village, there is an array of things to do. There are parks for children to run amuck in, a swimming pool, paddle boats, camel rides, museums filled with artifacts and shops for you to buy handmade souvenirs. Head a little further from the Heritage Village, and you will spot a bullet-ridden NBK building. "Failaka has developed so much as a destination since I last visited 12 years ago," says Jassim Alnashmi, an artist and architect. "I am excited for the archaeology museum that

is being built. I hope it gives the archaeological site the justice it deserves. The same could be done to the Kuwaiti buildings, to preserve the island's history." "Failaka was such a short boat ride from Kuwait City, yet was such a different world once you landed on the island," says Lesli Robertson, a recent Fulbright Specialist to Kuwait. "I was not expecting to see such a large ceramics studio, complete with an enormous wood fire kiln. The studio created a great environment for our group to sit and get to know one another, finding common ground and sharing stories as we worked." "Outside of the Heritage Village was the remainder of the island, full of abandoned homes, schools, and city buildings. I found that the walks through these structures catalyzed my interest in the history of this place even more," she adds. "We hope to repeat the experience after the summer and add art-installation making to the trip, making a 'Failaka Biennial' around the themes of war, trauma, and reconciliation," says Ceyda.

If you would like to plan a trip to Failaka that involves ceramic arts as well as a historical tour, get in touch with Ceyda Oskay at stationarymovement@yahoo.com.

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FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Try Carriage – it’s awesome! By bazaar staff

It’s no secret, we love getting our food delivered to us. There’s nothing quite like enjoying the comforts of home and getting your hands on your favorite restaurant dishes. Still, not all concepts deliver, leaving us with a craving that we could either ignore, or brave the traffic to satisfy. Enter Carriage! With their call to action – Try Carriage – we obviously felt the urge to give it a go. Yes, they still don’t deliver to everywhere and some restaurants won’t deliver to your area, but they’re constantly working on making the experience a memorable one. Since the launch of the service in May, Carriage will expand its delivery areas to include Mahboula, Mangaf and Fahaheel, to name a few. Summer is upon us, and some of us find that staying in Kuwait means enjoying the empty streets, but that surely doesn’t mean you can’t allow your taste buds to travel and enjoy international cuisines! All you have to do is download the Carriage app, select the area you want your food delivered to, and pick your culinary experience of choice. For those of you 30

who work and live near the city, you will have a myriad of restaurant choices to choose from, and for those who prefer to order in at home the app is an absolute treat! Considering Salmiya as our location of choice, a quick glance at the restaurant list left us drooling. From scrumptious Italian, Asian, Chinese and International concepts to dessert, we were truly spoilt for choice. What we also noticed and loved about the restaurants signed up with Carriage is that most of the food concepts are local favorite, such as Doppio, Melanzane, Street at almakan, and Urban Café, amongst many others! Given that it is summertime, we settled on a selection of salads from Gia for a casual gathering. We loved how easy it was to select the salad options (simply swipe left and the selection is added to your cart), and the delivery was a breeze! For the first time user, once you’ve made your food selection, click order and watch the magic. While with most delivery services you either have to call the restaurant or contact the service’s customer care to find out where your order got to, Carriage has removed the guesswork and hassle. You can live-track your order through the app! All you have to do is sit

back, relax and watch your order make its way across Kuwait and to your front door. Simple enough! The drivers expertly know their way around the city. Averaging at under 33 minutedelivery-time, you know you’re getting your food fresh off the stove. With Carriage, you’re guaranteed the best! They’re selective about the restaurants they back, making every experience for you a memorable one. As long as the food you crave can be delivered to your area without risking the quality, then your craving is their demand! Creating a hassle-free service for both the restaurant and consumer, Carriage is winning on every level. We’ve truly enjoyed our experiences with Carriage and can’t wait till we get to order our favorite dishes straight to our offices! Now go on and download the app and explore their delicious offerings from every corner of the world, and have them brought right to your door-step. You can download the Carriage app on your iOS or Android device or visit www.trycarriage.com. For more information, follow Carriage on Facebook: trycarriage, Instagram @try.carriage and Twitter @trycarriage.

‫ﻓﻀﺔ ﺑﻮﺟﺒﺎره‬ ‫ﺗﺨﺼﺺ ﺗﺼﻤﻴﻢ داﺧﲇ ودﻳﻜﻮر‬ ‫ﻣﺪرﺳﺔ ﺛﺎﻧﻮﻳﺔ‬

‫ﺳﺎرة اﻟﺮﻓﺎﻋﻲ‬ ‫ﺗﺨﺼﺺ ﺗﺼﻤﻴﻢ داﺧﲇ ودﻳﻜﻮر‬ ‫ﻣﺼﻤﻤﺖ دﻳﻜﻮر‬

‫‪box hill‬‬

‫ﻟﻴﲆ ال ﻋﺒﺎس‬ ‫ﺗﺨﺼﺺ ﺗﺼﻤﻴﻢ ﺟﺮاﻓﻴيك‬ ‫ﻣﻮﻇﻔﺔ وزارة اﻟﻜﻬﺮﺑﺎء و رواﺋﻴﺔ‬

truth or dare

NO CHILLIN’, NO CRYIN’ Meeting personal trainer Jon P. By bazaar staff

Working out: While many of us dread it, we have to do it. Do we always work out to our full potential? More importantly, what makes for an adequate workout? One thing is for sure, having someone scream "stop crying" at you while you work up a sweat, will surely snap you out of your fitness funk. When Jon P. came to Kuwait from the United States’ east coast four years ago, he had no idea he would eventually find himself managing a private training space, equipped with all the necessary tools to make magic happen. Jon made it his mission to motivate people looking to get into shape to get to the “right level of fitness” to suit their personal needs. “I will never tell anyone what their body should look like, or how fit they should be, but I want to help them get to the goal that’s right for them. Fitness is key here.” Toting an impressive resume in the fitness field, Jon has an educational background in Physical Therapy and Health and Exercise from the College of New Jersey, and experience working at gyms as both a personal trainer and a physiotherapist's assistant. In Kuwait, he works with people who have different fitness levels and capabilities. In total, Jon has nine years of experience in the fitness industry, “on top of being an all-around athlete!” he informs, “I was always into sports, even as a young child.” When it comes to working out with Jon, connection is key. This exclusive trainer likes to get to know his clients and works on a referral basis with the belief that if they can establish a connection, the quality of the work will be better. If you’re lucky enough to have someone refer you to Jon, you can expect him to ask you a lot of questions regarding your past and current exercise habits. “I ask questions that I feel not enough PTs ask their potential clients to try to get to the root of why their workout experiences weren’t enough or why they’d stopped exercising, then I see what I can do for them.” You’d expect someone whose catchphrase and fitness studio named “Stop Crying” to be mean and scary, but the down-to-earth trainer has a heart of gold. “Until people start goofing off in my studio” he interjects seriously. “When there’s too much chilling and chit chat 32

going on, then I’m not such a nice guy anymore.” And after sending two bazaarites to try out one of Jon’s boot camp classes, we managed to catch our breaths long enough to get the tough-as-nails trainer to break his “no chilling” rule (just this once!) and learned the hard, yet rewarding way, what Jon is all about. TRUTH OR DARE How would your mother describe you in one word? Resilient. How would you describe your mother in one word? Everything. What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked? "Will you ever stop playing video games?" (Nope!) What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? I was offered a job in Kuwait on Friday, and

boarded a plane to Kuwait two days later. What is your theme song? “Ruff Ryders Anthem” by DMX. What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? 'Bling Bling'. Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location? Haiti. What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? "By any means necessary,"- Malcolm X What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in? Lioness. What do you miss about your childhood? I didn’t have to pay bills. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Big Papa (RIP Biggie). How would you describe your handshake in one word?

Welcoming. What is the toughest part of your character? I give people one chance. If my trust is broken, I remove that person from my life. Who is your favorite historical figure? Malcolm X. What in the world do you least desire? Expensive clothing. What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place? Patience. Why do you think most girls/guys like you? I don’t speak much, I listen to them. Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…” …gratitude for everything and everyone you have in your life.

Follow Jon P. on Instagram @jonpfitness for more information. 33

7 DIGITAL MARKETING TRENDS MARKETERS NEED TO KNOW IN 2016 By Barry Rodrigues

Digital marketing today is all about a combination of creativity and analytical approach to execute successful campaigns in keeping with the trends of the digital age. I’m writing this after having read a ton of stuff, doing loads of research and trying and testing a lot of the channels that you will read ahead. Remember, we are all novices here and digital marketing is still evolving so there will always be room for improvement. However, if you want to excel at it, here are some digital marketing trends I think every marketer should know. Search will go beyond Google Previously, users could find what they wanted on Google. However lately, people seem to search for stuff on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. This is one space brands really need to focus on creating and maintaining a presence. The success of a business (especially online) largely depends on how quickly the brand is found on different search platforms. Instagram works – if you work it right! I’ve noticed that after a handful of Instagram success stories in Kuwait, companies have started selling directly on their feeds. Guys, people want interesting, thought-provoking and cool content. They don’t want to be sold to. Think of how you try to avoid annoying tele-marketers and you will make sense of what I’m saying. Instead, use Instagram advertising skillfully to showcase your ad to an audience that is within your target group and target them using the fantastic demographic tools that Instagram (Facebook’s) Power Editor gives you. The key is to try and test various combinations, gauge the engagement and then go from there. Whatever you do, don’t clutter your followers’ feeds with an overkill of advertising. Snapchat = ads with an expiry date Kuwait is being swarmed with Snapchat users creating their own stories and catching up on the stories of their friends and the brands they love. This is a great platform for brands with time sensitive content to market themselves audio-visually. Ideas like a photo contest with an expiry aimed at the younger generation, or a spot the logos in a series of snaps are a great way of educating customers about your brand and getting them to participate in an interactive experience. Live streaming audiences are waiting With apps like Periscope and Meerkat, brands can now broadcast themselves live. Periscope which is slowly but steadily gaining popularity in Kuwait is a great way for brands to do live product launches, 34

live events, celebrity coverage at their retail stores or even promoting company work culture to increase brand equity. Another great way to showcase your potential as a world class brand – if you have a proper content strategy and know how to woo your potential audiences and for your customers to be a part of the brand experience. Brands promoting consumer advocacy will eventually win Modern media especially social, is all about advocacy. Unlike the old days where people trusted celebrities endorsements, consumers of today are a lot smarter and marketing savvy. Instead of brands focusing on celebrity brand ambassadors, they should focus on getting their users to propagate the advantages of the product. What better validation of a product than an endorsement from someone in your own social network; someone you know and trust as opposed to some celebrity who is paid to say positive things about a product? Transition from multi-channel to omni-channel While most brands today have multi-channel marketing efforts, not many understand the importance of an omni-channel one. What’s the difference? A multi-channel approach is simply that – multiple marketing touch-points for customers to experience a product or service. An omni-channel experience however delivers a seamless experience to customers across various touch-points that are all connected.

One example would be if a customer is doing a transaction on his mobile phone and abandons it half way and decides to go to a brick and mortar store to continue his transaction, the backend needs to have the ability to pick up right where the customer left off, to offer an omni-channel customer experience. The world is getting more inclusive and all these technologies will revolutionize the digital age and create exciting opportunities for both consumers and marketers. In the end, online, social, digital – whatever you want to call it, depends on “vitality”. I’m not even sure that is a word but you get the picture. Success will depend on a brand’s ability to create, curate and disseminate potentially viral content. Companies need to create user-centric platforms that allow users to be a part of the experience, not just seeing it on their feed or in their networks. In other words bring your users and potential customers closer to your brand – and see what you can do with them once they are totally hooked! Barry Rodrigues is Head of Marketing & Product Development at Future Communications and an associate advisor with the International Advisors Group in Kuwait. Barry also provides pro-bono consulting services for small businesses to help them achieve their marketing objectives. For comments, please email Barry at barry@nexgenconsulting.co.uk.

FABULOUS alshaya

SALE optics 2 Starts on July 12

/SolarisSunglassesME /VisionExpressME

DUBAI STOPOVER LETS TRAVELERS SAMPLE CITY By Alison Bowen

Most people dread connecting flights. But with a little planning, they can be turned into a vacation within a vacation. That’s how I treated a recent stopover in Dubai, home to one of the busiest airports in the world — and some of the most fantastical human-made creations on the planet. Emirates Airline’s Dubai Connect program offers a hotel room and meals to passengers whose connections are between eight and 24 hours long, providing an easy (and free!) way to incorporate this sliver of the United Arab Emirates into your trip. (Be sure to check the program’s stipulations; if a better connection is available, expenses might not be covered.) Our 20 hours in Dubai weren't nearly enough time to take it all in, but it was long enough to at least sample the city, and stretch our legs, en route to Thailand. 7 p.m. Approaching Dubai from the sky shines a spotlight on the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, whose steel silkily spirals up toward the clouds. We landed in the early evening and headed straight for this iconic skyscraper 36

that anchors an enormous mall and the 24-acre Burj Lake. There, the Dubai Fountain show — choreographed by the same designers as the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas — takes place nightly, every 30 minutes. Plenty of restaurants are dotted around the fountain; meander as long as jet lag allows. 8 a.m. Begin the day where you left off at the 160-story Burj Khalifa, where tickets to the 124th floor observation deck start at around KD 10. It’s a good idea to buy a timed-entry ticket in advance at www.burjkhalifa.ae. If you’re crunched for time but not for cash, spring for the roughly KD 25 fast-track ticket to skip the lines. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a 360-degree view of the city, where buildings that look enormous from a cab seem middling from this lofty vantage point. Be sure to peer through the special telescopes that give you a glimpse of what the area looked like years ago. 10 a.m. Depending on how long your visit to the Burj Khalifa takes, consider browsing the Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s rows of lamps, handmade pottery and, yes, touristy-type trinkets. It’s a convenient spot to pick up souvenirs and a beautiful box of baklava.

12 p.m. The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, a highend hotel complex that includes nine bars and restaurants, is a Dubai landmark. If having a meal here is on your bucket list, don’t count on just strolling in without a reservation. After we asked a confused cabbie to take us there, security unceremoniously turned us away. Oh well. It gave us extra time to explore. 1 p.m. A short walk from the Burj Al Arab takes you to a public beach, where we found a hip, yellow cart selling iced coffee. On a blazing hot day, that beverage felt just as luxurious as a fancy meal. A sandy stroll showcased the spectrum of beachwear in Dubai, which ranged from burkas to the occasional swimsuit. From here, cabs are easy to hail for a ride back to your hotel, where a shuttle will whisk you to the airport. Emirates put us up in the Copthorne Hotel Dubai, which is also where delayed passengers can end up spending the night when the airline cancels an international flight and bungles the rebooking — as this reporter learned the hard way on the return leg. That’s the downside of connecting flights.

regency

INTERNAL RENOVATION By Dr Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg

Have you ever really considered how the sum of your life experiences, the consequences of your choices, and the impact of the choices of others, has contributed to the person you are today? This week, I’ve been thinking about this for myself after I had the opportunity to revisit a childhood experience, 37 years after the last time I enjoyed it. Walking along the shores of Bear Lake, in northern Canada, I was almost overwhelmed with the memories of the many happy summers I’d spent camping there with family and various friends. That led to me thinking about how those, and other, experiences (both pleasant and painful) shaped my life. All too often, in my therapy practice, I hear a client try to convey the pain, or the confusion, the disbelief or the denial of his/her current reality. (I have to start here ~ with the pain~ because people don’t seek counseling when life feels wonderful) One of the many tools I use, because it’s brilliant, is a genogram. This is a “map” which creates a picture of the history of a family through diagramming the generations, starting with my client. Together, we document the client’s experience of the individuals who inhabit that map. By building this picture of the family, my 38

clients begin to see patterns such as relationship dynamics, secret-keeping, trauma, addiction, mental illness, disease and so on. Another tool I might use is to have the client create a timeline of the significant events in his/her life. From the first, or earliest memory to this morning. Creating a visual picture of the experiences which have shaped internal perspectives, external behaviours, and thinking habits creates huge opportunities for those ‘Aha!’ moments that change everything. Why is this important? …because of a truth in life which cannot be escaped. “When the observable behavior is negative, the internal thinking is flawed.” How often have you lamented, “Why is this happening!? I swore I’d never end up in this place/position/pain again! Argh!!” Not fun, and so frustrating. We cannot change our choices (and thus the outcome) if we don’t know a) how we’re making choices in the first place, and b) how to recognize the range of possible options. The framework by which we make our choices (and even how we recognize the choices we have) is formed in the experiences of childhood, through relationship with others, and by the consequences of the choices we make as we mature into adulthood. Back to my original question: have you ever thought how the sum of these experiences has

formed your internal perspective of yourself, and thus the framework by which you make choices in life? If your internal belief about yourself is negative (for example, I am weak; I am unlovable; I am helpless; I am worthless; I am incompetent; I am _________________________) then it naturally follows that this core belief – this ‘I am…’ statement of Self – will be observable as negative behaviors or painful outcomes. Creating a map, a timeline, a visual record of your life has the potential to link up patterns of behavior, and thus reveal internal thinking habits and beliefs. When this happens, more often than not, everything changes. Suddenly comprehending why a behavior is happening, and how it was formed releases you to make a different choice or to respond to situations instead of merely reacting from habit or conditioning. Fortunately, we’re not robots. We can root out negative beliefs, reframe our thinking, choose completely different outcomes, and form new behaviors. We humans are amazing creatures. When we take personal responsibility for our internal landscape, we’ve taken a big step toward the opportunity to change life for the better. If you can’t do it on your own, ask for help. That’s what we therapists do best. Help.

Follow @DRSusannah on Twitter and Instagram.

taiba

CARPETS OF LOVE

When luxury meets tradition, uniqueness, and… love By bazaar staff

Haidar Hindi (Left) Abdulla Al Awadi (right)

A carpet can be so much more than an essential decorating piece for your space. Carpets are unique pieces; preferably handcrafted, no two should ever be the same, and as we have especially embraced in Middle Eastern culture, each carpet should tell a story with its weavings, colors and structure. Wander into any Middle Eastern home and you will find floors scattered with kilims, or flat, woven tapestries originating from as far as the Balkans to Pakistan. You might also find the classic Persian rugs or locally made sadu weavings. In short, Arabs love their carpets, and we’re always on the look-out to find new additions to enhance the rich and vibrant colors of our homes with. Enter Samovar Carpets and Furniture, a long loved family based business established by Alaa Hindi and Sons. Since then, the Samovar name has become synonymous with luxury 40

and quality, posing as the go-to spot in Kuwait, Qatar and Beirut to find exceptional handmade carpets, furniture and antiques from around the world, and lately, the region’s own back yard! Succeeded by Haidar Hindi, Samovar has taken a new initiative to revolutionize the region’s carpet industry in a way that has never been done before, by introducing MOVA. MOVA, an extension of the Samovar showroom, is an art gallery style space that is envisioned to host local and regional artists and designers for their future collaborations with Samovar Carpets in the woven medium. This vision was launched on the 15th of June 2016, when MOVA showcased its premier collection designed by local artist and mastermind, Abdulla Al Awadi. Al Awadi is a Kuwait-based architect, teacher and artist, whose resume boasts experience in costume and jewelry design as well as photography and digital printing. Though his style of geometric patterns feature calligraphy and icons of the Arabic world that play with

the notion of Islamic design, he refuses to accept that this defines his work: “Traditionally, Islamic inspired art was not for religious use but celebrated the traditions and culture of the country at a specific time in history,” states Abdulla as he speaks of his eclectic work. “When Haidar Hindi saw an exhibition of my digital art, he knew I was different and asked me to come up with some ideas for the launch of MOVA.” And thus, “Carpets of Love” was born as a collaborative collection boasts influences of tradition merged with classic geometric patterns, Arabic calligraphy, and a lot of love. Each piece in this collection is made from recycled materials with designs that are meant to merge elements to poetically represent different names celebrating particular stages of the “love” emotion, using calligraphy as a bold visual statement. “One of my other priorities was to celebrate traditional techniques applied to a design with either soft natural dyes or very strong and modern chemical colors”, he adds. “Our carpet tradition is very much alive and

Abdulla Al Awadi showcases 'Shoug'

needs to be pushed into the future”. “We are proud to launch MOVA with Abdulla Al Awadi’s collection as it has received international interest”, says Haidar Hindi.The international interest Haidar speaks of is their recently renowned piece “Shoug”, which translates to “longing”. Handwoven in Turkey using recycled aged yarns, Shoug made its debut, along with seven other original kilims, at Dubai Design Days 2016. A representative of the Dutch non-profit Global Art Affairs (GAA) Foundation was reported to “fall in love” with Shoug, leading its purchase to be a permanent piece of the Art Foundation’s private collection, not to mention an exhibited piece at the 2016 Venice Biennale in Palazzo Michiel. On its way to being world-renowned, pieces such as Shoug in Carpets of Love promise uniqueness, brilliance, and a story. These carpets target an audience that can appreciate this work for what it is: beautiful, traditional, exceptional and different. Though they are still exploring this collaborative project, “Carpets of Love” has

proven to encourage many artists and designers to approach Samovar Carpets for collaborations, and has separated Samovar Carpets from all the average carpet retail stores in the region. The collaborative movement Samovar and MOVA are starting with local artists also gives these artists a platform to launch their own creative concepts with MOVA’s support. Haidar also vehemently believes in artists of the region carrying the torch for the long-loved tradition of carpet design and production, which is poses as another inspiration to carry on with this project – especially because he thinks, in the Middle East, there is a niche in this market “We wish to provide local and regional Arab artists and designers the opportunity to express themselves in the woven art medium, and to become known for carpet design.” But what does it take to make it into MOVA? How does one grab Haidar’s attention to form a collaboration? “That is a difficult question to answer,” he says, “initially, I go with my gut feeling, but then I have to visualize the work in

a specific type of carpet weave and determine how it can be translated in woven art.” But more importantly to Haidar, the artist’s concept and story are key: it has to be memorable, and their work has to be separate from that can be conceived as commercial art – “we want to avoid that.”

Samovar Carpets & Furniture and MOVA are located in Al Tilal Complex in Shuwaikh Industrial. Call them at 2225 3456/7/8. Follow them on Instagram @samovarcarpets. Follow MOVA Gallery on Instagram @movagallery. For more information, visit www.samovarcarpets.com. Follow Abdulla Al Awadi on Instagram @abdullalawadi. Photos courteousy of Tarek Moukaddem and Nawaf Al Ali. 41

THIS ROBOT POINTS OUT YOUR MISTAKES

You left the fridge open, and your robot pal is going to keep reminding you until you close it By Charlie Sorrel

Imagine a robot that follows you around, watching as you leave the milk out on the counter, or forget to turn off the TV, or leave the gas stove burning, then reminding you to fix it. If it sounds like the world’s most controlling roommate, then yes, it is. But if you are absent-minded, and you live alone (apart from hassle-bot of course), then it could save your life. The robot is called the Watch-Bot, and it consists of a Microsoft Kinect on a tripod, motors so it can move its head, a laptop for a brain, and a laser pointer. The Kinect is a gaming accessory that used 3-D cameras to watch you and track you, so you can control a game with your body movements. In the case of the Watch-Bot, the Kinect is its eyes into your filthy, chaotic world, and the laser pointer is used to point out your mistakes, like a terse, passive-aggressive parent. Watch-Bot was presented at the ICRA 2016 conference on robotics and automation, in 42

Stockholm, and is detailed in a new paper from the teams at Cornell and Stanford. Researchers say that the average human adult forgets three important facts, chores, or events every day, and the Watch-Bot is there to make sure that stops. Remarkably, it can teach itself what you have forgotten, with no training input from anyone. The Watch-Bot can learn by watching videos, or by watching you, and in future it may even be able to head over to YouTube and train itself there, although that sounds like it could be robot suicide. If the robot sees a person fetch milk from the fridge, pour the milk, and leave without putting the milk back to the fridge, it would first detect the forgotten action and the related object (the milk), given the input RGB-D frames and human skeletons from the Kinect; then map the object from the Kinect’s view to the camera’s view; finally pan/tilt the camera until its mounted laser pointer is pointing to the milk. The Watch-Bot’s brain takes the 3-D scenes from the Kinect and uses them to work out

what’s going on in the scene, and to infer the human’s intentions. For example, the task "make tea" requires the actions "fill kettle" and "boil kettle." To help it to infer intent, Watch-Bot is trained to recognize human gestures, and to isolate the objects the human interacts with in a scene. And because it can teach itself, the robot actually becomes more effective over time. Using this, the robot can learn, unsupervised, what is intended and what has been forgotten, just by watching for a while. It’s almost exactly the way you or I might do it, watching to see how things are done, before switching over to nagging people when they get it wrong. While it would be tempting to deploy the Watch-Bot in the office kitchen to make sure that your coworkers don’t leave their unwashed coffee cups in the sink, it also has potential uses in the world of health care, especially helping, say, Alzheimer’s sufferers from forgetting dangerous tasks, such as leaving outside doors open or a pot on the stove.

just ask

NEW PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER The latest Porsche arrives in Kuwait By bazaar staff

Merging tradition and visionary technology, the new Porsche 718 Boxster has arrived in Kuwait, following a comprehensive redevelopment of the mid-engine roadster for more power, increased torque, a higher top speed and a stylish redesign. Twenty years after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche is introducing a new model designation with the generation change. The models are now known as the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S. A direct descendant of the victorious 718 which took numerous race wins in the 1950s and 1960s, the new two-seater convertibles continue the tradition of four-cylinder flat engines, featuring the latest technology evolved by Porsche’s engineers. When compared to the previous generation, both models attest a gain of 35hp and up to 13 percent lower consumption. The 718 Boxster is driven by a newly developed, 2-litre, 300hp engine with innovative turbocharging. The increase in torque is even more dramatic with a 35 percent rise and results in a maximum of up to 380 Newton metres. Featuring a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG), the 718 Boxster S boasts 2.5 litres of engine displacement and 350hp, with maximum torque at 420 Newton metres. When equipped with Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package, the new 718 Boxster accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, whilst the S-version achieves the same in 4.2 seconds. The top speed for the base model is 275 km/h; its bigger sibling tops out at 285km/h. The comprehensive rework of the new model has been well documented with just the boot lid, windscreen and soft top preserved from its predecessor. At a glance, the revised exterior is wider and more powerful, with larger cooling intakes and the inimitable Porsche bi-xenon headlights featuring integrated LED daytime running lights. From the side, independently styled wings and side sills deliver a sharp new look around large 18-inch wheels as standard on the 718 Boxster, and 19-inch wheels on the S model. The reshaped rear body has a stronger presence, especially due to the accent strip with integrated Porsche badge between the tail lights. The completely redesigned lights stand out, thanks to their three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights. Inside the cockpit of the 718 Boxster, 44

Mr. Peter Green and Mr. Roger Kyriacou reveal the new 718 Boxster range. upgraded elements, such as high quality leather with uninterrupted stitching, create greater sophistication. Meanwhile, state-ofthe-art technology compliments the driving experience, with a newly designed dash panel that includes the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) operated by touchscreen as standard. In action, the two-seat convertibles are built for passionate and sporty driving, facilitated by not only a newly tuned chassis and improved brakes but also through increased rigidity in the suspension and roll-bars. The roadster also boasts 10 per cent more direct steering which comes from the 911 Turbo, making the model even more agile and easier to handle. The optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), available for the Boxster S, now offers a 20 mm lower ride height, enabling it to tackle fast corners with ease. In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package and derived from the 911, the new 718 Boxster now features a switch on the steering wheel for four driving modes as well as a Sport Response button for models equipped with PDK. Inspired by motorsport, pushing this button makes the response of the engine and PDK very direct for a period of 20 seconds. Taken together, the synergy of the latest developments of the 718 Boxster deliver benchmark-setting results. It is expected that the new S-model will perform a lap of the

North Loop of the Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 42 seconds, 16 seconds faster than its predecessor and very close to that of the racetrack primed Cayman GT4. Speaking on the arrival of the new roadster Roger Kyriacou, General Manager, Porsche Centre Kuwait commented: “The 718 Boxster is the sportiest of all time, carrying forward the philosophy of the legendary 718 which delivered over 1,000 race victories. It is remarkable that Porsche’s engineers have managed to achieve such outstanding increases in power, acceleration and torque from the newly designed four-cylinder engine. Especially as these performance enhancements come with a lower weight and a substantial improvement in efficiency. Both on a technical and excitement level the new 718 Boxster is beyond comparison and the same goes for its styling which is simultaneously powerful and sophisticated. With such an impressive addition to our convertible range, we expect the 718 Boxster to continue its growth in Kuwait.”

The new Porsche 718 Boxster models are available in Kuwait now with a basic retail price of: KWD 18,200 (718 Boxster) and KWD 20,500 (718 Boxster S). Visit the Porsche Center in Al Rai, on the 4th ring road. Call them on 1870 870. Find out more online at: www.porsche.com/kw.

fantasy world

FIVE PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAYS FOR THIS SUMMER Arrive on-time this season with Jazeera Airways

By bazaar staff

With the real heat of summer around the corner, malls, chalets and beach clubs are more crowded than ever! Don’t spend your precious time waiting around for your 2-3 week vacation because perfect weekend trips are just a quick flight away! Whether you’re looking for an adventure outside of Kuwait, a place to relax, a fresh culinary experience or want to take in a new culture, Jazeera Airways offers the perfect quick, easy and affordable weekend getaways this summer.

2. CAIRO, EGYPT (CAI) Interests: Art, architecture, history, film Trip Duration (outbound): 2.30 hours Flight Schedule: Everyday Must-Dos: Tour the Pyramids on the Giza plateau, Egyptian Museum (Tutankhamun exhibitions) and Islamic Cairo (biggest Islamic open museum in the world); shop at Khan el-Khalili.

4. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (DXB) Interests: Action, attractions, adventure, shopping Trip Duration (outbound): 1.20 hours Flight Schedule: Everyday Must-Dos: Tour Dubai Creek, Old Dubai, Dubai Museum, and Jumeirah Mosque; adventure in Ski Dubai, Desert Safari, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Zoo; shop at Dubai Mall (explore the Aquarium!), Mall of the Emirates, Deira Gold Souk and Global Village.

As a leader in the market with 95% on-time performance, you’ll never have to worry about whether you’ll arrive at your destination just in time for that attraction you can’t miss, or fly back home on-time for that urgent office meeting on Sunday. Next weekend, plan ahead with one five Jazeera Airways summer hotspots by finding the perfect fit for you:

1. ISTANBUL, TURKEY (IST) Interests: Culture, art, music Trip Duration (outbound): 3.30 hours Flight Schedule: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Must-Dos: Tour the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern; shop at The Grand Bazaar, and The Spice Market; indulge in a Bosporus cruise and a Dervish Ceremony.

3. AMMAN, JORDAN (AMM) Interests: Adventure, art, history Trip Duration (outbound): 1.55 hours Flight Schedule: Everyday Must-Dos: Tour the Roman Amphitheatre, Amman Citadel, Rainbow Street (and markets and souks such as Souk Jara), King Abdullah Mosque and The Jordan Museum; indulge in a Dead Sea day trip, Al Pasha Turkish Bath and Shisha at Rakwet Arab Café.

5. BEIRUT, LEBANON (BEY) Interests: Attractions, architecture, art Trip Duration (outbound): 3.00 hours Flight Schedule: Everyday Must-Dos: Tour the National Museum of Beirut, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, Sursock Museum, Grand Sertail; explore Jeita Grotto, René Moawad Garden and Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center.

Escape the heat, book your trip, and start packing. Safe travels!

Want to know more about Jazeera Airways? Follow them on Instagram and Twitter @JazeeraAirways, Facebook /JazeeraAirways, contact the call center at 177, or visit www.jazeeraairways.com. 46

toni & guy

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THIS KITCHEN-IN-A-BOX UNFOLDS TO

MEET ALL YOUR CULINARY NEEDS

Ana Arana's kitchen system is designed for small apartments— and can be stored away when not in use. By Meg Miller

For her final master's thesis project in experimental design at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Madrid, designer and architect Ana Arana decided to build a kitchen for single-occupancy apartments. As in most kitchens, Arana's design has a kitchen table, a kitchen sink, a refrigerator, cabinets, and a stove. Unlike most kitchens, hers can be packed into a 2-foot-by-2-foot-by-3-foot piece of furniture and stashed away in the corner when not in use. Arana's kitchen is called Gali, and it's her solution not only to the small spaces of most single occupancy apartments, but also to a changing approach toward preparing and consuming food. "I interviewed a lot of people living alone and asked where they cooked and how they ate and how long it took from cleaning 48

to cooking to serving," says Arana, who graduated from IED last year and now works at an architecture firm in Madrid. "The main thing for them is to not waste time—if they were chopping vegetables, they wanted to be able to throw away the scraps directly. If someone was over, they wanted to be able to cook nearby. It was all about efficiency." To start out, Arana looked into other small kitchen designs. She took inspiration from Ronan Bouroullec's 1998 modular kitchen system that allowed owners to customize it themselves—adding drawers, shelves and hooks—then disassemble it and take with them when they moved. An even more direct lineage is Italian industrial designer Joe Colombo's 1963 Minikitchen, whose compact shape and fold-out function is echoed in Arana's design. A perfect rectangle when not in use, the Gali has a wooden plank on the side that folds down into a table and a sink on top with a

detachable faucet. On the other side, a stove top rolls out like a drawer, and there's a place for a microwave or a toaster oven below (due to some people's aversion to microwaves, Arana left that compartment for consumers to fill themselves). A door in the front opens to a mini fridge while kitchen handle-less drawers for pots, pans and utensils pop open when pushed in. Arana says after interviewing people who live alone, she felt that if a kitchen isn't being used every day, there's no reason residents should always have to see it. With Gali, she has updated the retro-futuristic ideas of designers like Columbo who were radically rethinking space, efficiency, and mobility. While the kitchen system only exists as a prototype right now, Arana was in New York this week for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, invited through a design competition sponsored by Bernhardt. She's searching for a manufacturer to produce the Gali kitchen system.

Geeks & Gamers

E3 2016-PART 2 (THE GOODIES!) By bazaar staff

Well, fellow gamers, it’s that time of year once again. E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo…3 e’s, get it?) is back for 2016, and for those of you that don’t know, E3 is an annual event that takes place in Los Angles around May or June each year. In this 2 day exhibition, the biggest names in gaming take to the stage to announce their newest projects and sneak peeks into their future plans. So, following on from last month’s article in a totally non premeditated 2 part Geeks and Gamers, E3 has been, come and gone, and now we know what the next 12 months of gaming has in store for us. I wonder how close my predictions were. Let’s see! Starting in order of the conferences, we begin with EA. The biggest applause of their conference, of course came from Battlefield 1. We got to see some gameplay footage and it looks amazing! While Call Of Duty seems to be losing fans, due to lack of innovation and general laziness, Battlefield is finally about to take over as king of the shooters. We also got to see details and gameplay for Titanfall 2 (Titanfall being a personal favorite of mine) which promises more customization of your Titan, something greatly lacking in the first game, and it will also have a single player mode (something else missing from the first game). This time, it will also be available on PS4. We also got a glimpse of Fifa 17, which will feature a story/career mode. Otherwise, it’s just the same old Fifa. Next up was Microsoft, who had an average but solid show this year. We saw more of Gears Of War 4, Scalebound, Recore, Sea of Theives,Dead Rising 4 and new announcements included State of Decay 2, Forza Horizon 3, Inside and a handful of other games. No big surprises, really. Their main focus was on Xbox Play Anywhere, which means if you buy a game on Xbox One, you also get to play it for free on Windows 10 machines. It’s a cool feature, allowing you to save games to the cloud and resume them on whichever device you next play on. They also announced the Xbox One S, a new, smaller Xbox One with a 2TB hard drive and 4k video playback capability. At the end of their show, they teased a glimpse of Project Scorpio, a new console which should be out at the end of 2017. The specs include six teraflops of performance (that’s A LOT) and true 4k gaming. They also announced a ‘Design your own controller’ program, which allows you to order a custom controller with any color schemes you like (over 8 million combinations), and also has 50

your gamer tag written on the bottom. Ubisoft followed, with one of their better shows in recent years. We got to see a lot of the new South Park game (coming December this year). As well as gameplay and story details, Matt Stone and Trey Parker (creators of South Park) were onstage talking about the game, and both it and they were hilarious. One I am personally looking forward to. We got to see more of the new Ghost Recon, Watchdogs 2, For Honor (looking amazing!), a new Star Trek game and a new I.P called Steep. Steep is a beautiful winter sports game, in the same vein as SSX or, for N64 fans, 1080 Snowboarding, but with an open world element, online functionality, challenges, co-op play and much more. Another one that I am looking forward to! Finally, (and as an Xbox fan, it pains me to say this but hats off to them) Sony came out with the best show of E3 this year. One thing I like about Sony’s conferences, and why I stay up until 4am to watch them, is that they focus on games throughout their entire show and that’s what the average E3 view wants to see. This year, we saw new games

and got updates on ones we already knew about. They opened with gameplay of a new God Of War game which blew everyone away. We saw more of The Last Guardian, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Call Of Duty, Crash Bandicoot (it’s being remastered!) and Final Fantasy. We saw games and gameplay for the upcoming Sony VR (which I am totally sold to, by the way). They showed off a Batman Arkham VR game, as well as a brand new and surprising Resident Evil (looking very much like the canceled Silent Hills game). New games shown included Detroit: Become Human (from the makers of Heavy Rain), Days Gone (a zombie survival thing, reminiscent of the movie World War Z) and Spiderman (made by Insomniac Studios, makers of Sunset Overdrive so it should be brilliant!). Sadly, no sign of Rockstar, although they themselves had confirmed months ago that they would be at E3 ‘in a major way’. But everything else we got to see made up for it, and with most of the above due for release between SeptemberDecember this year, it’s going to be a busy (and expensive) winter for gamers.

alkout

THE KAFTAN EVOLUTION

Locally designed kaftans and more by Mashael Al-Mutawa By bazaar staff

“Despite being covered, I am blessed that we are in a part of the GCC where we are openly allowed to express our personality through clothing and colors.” Mashael Al-Mutawa hits the nail on the head when it comes to Kuwaiti fashion. Though we undeniably live in a conservative part of the region, traditions here are embraced through fashion, rather than used as a tool to restrict style. Mashael’s Design Me Boutique and Atelier is the perfect example of a hub that houses brilliant, traditional inspired collections with an edge, focusing around the classic, esteemed kaftan – a garment that most ladies of the region collect, and can’t live without – especially during major holidays such as Ramadan and Eid. Through her vision, Mashael manages to take the traditional look to new heights, from offering a twist on the original design, to bespoke dresses delicately ornamented with traditional motifs. The Kuwaiti working mother of two is truly inspiring, as she still manages her full time job while also running an atelier and design team. Mashael describes her passion for design as a journey that began from a young age, which 52

transformed to practice only five to six short years ago. “I have always enjoyed designing and dressing family and friends but I took it to the next level and opened my small Atelier which has expanded to a larger one in Hawalli with a team of professional tailors and in-house design team with me being the lead designer,” she says vehemently. “It hasn't always been easy as this is a very competitive market, but I am lucky to have a very supporting family and a strong willed PR Agency run by Tara Sillery who pushes me endlessly!” But even the best PR Agency can’t give you a hunch for style – though Mashael doesn’t need to worry about that as her designs are truly original and beautifully crafted. Inspiration for such pieces comes from different life elements, such as the colors of different skies she sees and foreign architecture she comes across during her travels. “I think the architectural aspect can ben seen in my structured cuts with the additions of metallic and signature silver beadwork and outlines.” While some may believe that even the most intricate of kaftans should be reserved for specific times of the year, mainly Ramadan, Mashael gently protests otherwise: “Let's be honest: us girls like to have the luxury of wearing a flowing yet highly fashionable item of clothing without

worrying about hiding our overeating habits!” and she makes a valid point. Kaftans are a lovely goto staple that can be played up when paired with the right accessories, and very rarely do you find that a gorgeous, locally made kaftan resembles one that your friend, mother, sister, aunt or cousin might already own. They easily create an ensemble that showcases your personality and originality, and with a bold design, need very little accompaniments to make a statement. In addition to their beauty, they are ideal for the harsh temperatures of the region’s hot climate. What’s next for Mashael? She is currently reviewing her options for Fashion Week, trying to decide which she will participate in come October: “I was honored to be in Phoenix Fashion Week in Arizona last year, which was an amazing feat for me and my brand.” Also, her agenda will be filled prepping for Bridal season! So if you know someone who knows someone who’s due to wed, Mashael has got your back! Love kaftans? Visit Design Me’s Instagram account @design_me. Call them at 2261 2319. DesignMe Boutique and Atelier is located in Hawalli, on Beirut Street, near Amal Al-Kuwait. Photography by Jalil Marvin.

crocs

PARIS BUSINESSES ARE INVITING THE HOMELESS INSIDE

Window stickers signal to people in need that they can seek a toilet, glass of water, or kindness within By Adele Peters

Walking past certain cafes and stores in Paris, you might notice a series of stickers in the window. The small icons show services like a glass of water, a toilet or a first aid kit. Each is there as a signal to homeless people, refugees, or anyone else in need that they can come inside for help. "When people who live on the street are welcomed in shops and receive free services that can be as simple as a glass of water, it can help create bonds and reintegrate those who are often socially rejected," says Mélanie Gambert from Le Carillon, the network of businesses organizing the project. The project started last November, when Louis-Xavier Leca, a 27-year-old who has worked on socially responsible finance overseas, decided that he wanted to do something to help in his own neighborhood. "The number of homeless people in Paris keeps going up and apart from giving one or two Euros from time to time, we often feel powerless and we do not know how to help them," says Gambert. 54

While some stores already welcomed homeless people in search of basic necessities— like access to a restroom—it was often hard to tell from the outside. Now, the small businesses that have joined the project can choose from around a dozen stickers to display. Some stores let people charge cell phones, while others offer a place to heat a meal or give away food directly. Some offer showers. Barbershops offer free haircuts; the project has partnered with local nonprofits to hand out vouchers to people on the street. A few clothing stores offer free clothes. Some services, like a place to get a glass of water or charge a phone, are open to anyone, not just homeless people. "The shopkeepers that are with us are all happy, willing to help, and some even complain that they do not get enough homeless people in their shops," she says. Paris has around 28,000 homeless people now, and, like other cities, struggles to provide all of the social services that are needed. Le Carillon wanted to let everyone help.

"Something that is really important for us is that we want to involve all the citizens in our program," says Gambert. "Traditional social programs do a great work, of course, but they do not ask for everyone’s engagement, whereas our program could not work if Parisian shops and inhabitants did not participate. When everyone gets involved and is willing to do something it can really help the homeless feel more accepted and integrated." The project started in the city's 11th arrondissement, but could expand to five more districts in Paris this fall, along with other cities in France and soon abroad. It's something that's needed almost everywhere—particularly the very basic need of restrooms. In San Francisco, where homelessness is epidemic, the city has started offering mobile potties to deal with the problem of poop on the street in the Tenderloin neighborhood. The potties were needed partly because local store owners didn't want to let homeless people inside. But maybe stickers like Le Carillon's could help change the culture to one of acceptance.

July

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The Promenade is proud to present Ice Camp at Promenade Ice – Kuwait’s premier ice skating camp! Our kid- friendly rink is the perfect place to stay cool this summer! Let our trained professionals coach you through a fun packed ten session course this summer- Learn to skate from zero, or perfect your skills at Promenade Ice. For children up to 12 years old, Promenade Ice oﬀers a unique skating program where children will learn the basics of skating through games and play, as well as skating techniques. Our dedicated team of professional coaches will be on hand to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all students. 10 day course and all skating materials: 95KD There are limited places! Secure your spot now by calling 22277138.

bazaar travel

SICILIAN VILLA EMBRACES HISTORY, AND HOMINESS By Carol Ann Davidson

I slept in one of Don Arcangelo all'Olmo's bedrooms, floating as if in a dream between Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Don Arcangelo all' Olmo, or L'Olmo, as he is affectionately referred to, is actually a villa located near the town of Taormina on Sicily's east coast. It's been in the same family for generations (since the 1700s). The current owners opened their home to paying guests, when L'Olmo joined an exclusive club in The Thinking Traveller's collection of 200 villas in Sicily, Puglia, and the Ionian and Sporades islands.when L'Olmo joined an exclusive club in The Thinking Traveller's collection of 200 villas in Sicily, Puglia, and the Ionian and Sporades islands. From the outside L'Olmo is unprepossessing, but once through the arched doorway, the smell of jasmine, the carefully honed lava stone paths, the sheltering pine trees laden with acorns, the billowing bougainvillea, the rose-covered lawns encircling the heated pool and the glistening stretch of sea beyond the hectares of lemon groves, all conspire to enchant, embrace and imbue a sense of history and hominess that I found to be rare. There are no telephones, no television, no invasive noise in my spacious suite, only soothing sounds: The calls of the courting doves, the whispers of soft breezes through the latticed windows, the chime of distant church bells and, on wakening on the first of my six mornings there, the rhythmical sound of sweeping, as Carmelo, the gardener, clears the ground of fruit and flowers that had fallen during the night. "Tranquillo," as the Italians say. L'Olmo can accommodate 24 guests in the original Casale and the adjacent converted farmhouse. Each of the 12 bedrooms is unique and easily appeals to a variety of personal tastes. Throughout the villa, quiet elegance and ageless beauty abound: Art books, paintings, etchings and antique furniture adorn the general living and eating areas; vintage Kilim rugs soften the black lava floors, and cozy chairs placed by the grand fireplaces encourage a nod or two. L'Olmo's staff of six seamlessly and intuitively cater to the guests. The breakfast table set outdoors under the garlanded arbor is laden with pots of rich coffee and boiled milk, razor-thin prosciutto, mounds of buffalo mozzarella and ricotta cheese, homemade yogurts, freshly squeezed citrus juices, Italian pastries and breads fresh from the kitchen or the village bakery down the road. Pistachio 56

gelato for lunch? No problem. Homemade pasta with asparagus or spinach? Absolutely. Light-as-air risotto with artichokes and fresh grilled sardines for dinner? Bene! It is all presented with style: White gloves shining in the candlelight, serving from the left, removing from the right â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a kind of Downton Abbey, Sicilian-style. One afternoon I was invited into the kitchen for a lesson in tagliatelle making. Salvatore, the young and inventive chef, was patient with my attempt, but I knew, despite his expert help, that before I left Sicily I would purchase packages of pasta from an infinite variety of choices, to unleash their magic at home. Fact: Sicilian Arabs were the first to mass produce dried pasta. Although Goethe, the German writer, lies buried in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome, while he lived, his heart rested in Sicily where, for 40 days in 1787, he was guided through the country that captured his imagination. "Without Sicily, Italy creates no image in the soul," he wrote. "Here is the key to everything." I heard that quote several times during my journey in Sicily, from proud Sicilians such as Catania-born Federica Musco, who sources and manages villas for The Thinking Traveler. Another "key," she suggests, is her beloved Mount Etna. "Mother" Etna has reigned over the landscape long before Sicily was claimed by the Greeks, then the Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and French, over its 2,500-year history. She is still the highest active volcano in Europe and her rumblings and lava outpourings created the fertile earth but yet, at any moment, could destroy it all in one angry outburst. On the day our group ascended the lower slopes of Mount Etna, with the trekking company, Etna Finder, we secretly hoped that this wouldn't be that "moment." In fact, it turned out to be utterly fascinating. Our guide, Lorenzo Motta, was thoroughly immersed in the science of volcanos and shared his love of lava and the variety of terrains it fosters. Not far from Mount Etna, we visited another "Don" in The Thinking Traveller collection. Don Venerando's interior designer created a subtle but rich palette of colors and textures by combining the finest linens, silks, furniture and ceramics in this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home with its massive pool parallel to the sea. The villa borders on one of the largest plant nurseries in Sicily. As you can imagine, six days anywhere, can offer only the merest glimpse into the culture of a country, even on an island the size of Sicily. But its complex heritage is evident everywhere, from the Greek temples of Syracusa, birthplace of the mighty Archimedes; the nearby outdoor market of Syracusa's "island heart" Ortigia, with its staggering choice of fruits and vegetables, fish and pasta, olive oils and honey; the Baroque wonder that is Noto, a city completely

destroyed in the 1693 earthquake and rebuilt from scratch on a new site, about six miles from the old center; Taormina, often referred to as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean," perched high above the sea, a tourist town for centuries with its medieval buildings, grand piazzas, winding streets and the jewel in its crown, the GrecoRoman amphitheater that was built in the 3rd century B.C. Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were performed there and then the Romans re-created that perfect space to thrill their crowds with bloodletting sports and circuses. It was my last day at L'Olmo, Federica Musco and I were having lunch outdoors, when all of a sudden it started to rain, or so

I thought. Actually, it rained pure ash. Ash from Mount Etna. Tiny granules of grit covered everything, the table cloth, my hair, the silver. It felt both wondrous and slightly ominous. I think Federica was amused at my reaction. A few moments later Salvo appeared balancing a silver tray on one hand and in the other carried an open umbrella. He valiantly tried to shelter our dessert from Etna's, shall I say, belch. But as soon as my last Sicilian gelato was placed before me, bits of Etna floated onto its icy surface. Instead of scooping them out, I savored it all in a kind of acknowledgement of Etna's fond farewell gesture. The ash tasted gritty, like the chocolate from Modica. Sweet and grit combined, like Sicily herself. 57

bazaar apps

CARRIAGE

PACKPOINT

HIPMUNK

AIRBNB

SKYSKANNER

BRINGFIDO

While not everyone will leave Kuwait for the summer, those remaining get to enjoy the country all to themselves for a month or so. This is the ideal time to try Carriage, a new food delivery app that allows diners in Kuwait to order food from otherwise â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;eat inâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; only restaurants. The app interface is user friendly and well organized. Constantly adding new locations to their delivery areas and fantastic new restaurants, Carriage is an extremely easy to use service that we at bazaar highly recommend.

Hipmunk presents a fast, all-in-one travel planning and booking solution, with a powerful flight and hotel search engine, as well as easy inapp booking. In addition to the usual flight search criteria such as price, Hipmunk also includes an agony index for flight duration, number of stops and other factors. Users can also take advantage of last minute hotel deals, view reviews from TripAdvisor and other sources, and check out heat maps that show hotel proximity to shopping, dining and entertainment venues.

SkyScanner is a great tool for travelers looking for the perfect deal on domestic and international flights. SkyScanner works its magic by comparing prices across millions of flights and hundreds of airlines, from prestigious flag carriers to charter flights and budget airlines. From there, users can even book flights directly from the app with provided links to travel agents or airlines. Flights can be filtered by airline, cabin class, price or takeoff and landing times, with weekly or monthly chart views to check out prices over time.

PackPoint is a travel packing wizard that helps users by providing a checklist of travel essentials that they need to pack, depending on the nature of their trip. Users simply create a trip profile, with their destination, length of stay and purpose of travel. PackPoint then creates a customized packing and luggage checklist that takes into account whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the type and amount of clothing to pack based on the weather forecast, and other factors. The app also comes with a variety of premium features, such as TripIt integration for automatic packing list creation.

Airbnb is a marketplace app that allows users to search for and find unique accommodations across the world, from mom-and-pop B&B gigs for a night, to a small apartment for a week, or even a castle for a month, there's no shortage of quirky and unique establishments. Airbnb covers a range of price points in more than 34,000 cities and across almost 200 countries, which means the adventurous or flexible traveler has some interesting choices for accommodations for their next vacation.

If you're traveling with a pet, then you'll definitely appreciate Bring Fido, an app that takes the pain out of planning a pet-friendly trip by giving users the ability to search for pet-friendly establishments. Users can look up pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, dog parks, trails, and a variety of other establishments, with filters for distance, popularity and price. You can even book reservations within the app. Users can leave reviews, browse and share photos, as well as post their own favorite pet-friendly locations to the app.

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THESE CLASSIC LONDON PHONE BOOTHS ARE TURNING INTO MICRO-OFFICES

Pod Works is transforming an unused London icon into a place to get a little work done, no matter where you are By Adele Peters

Pod Works is transforming an unused London icon into a place to get a little work done, no matter where you are. For remote workers in London tired of working from coffee shops, one coworking company is about to launch another option: For the equivalent price of a couple of cups of coffee a week, it will be possible to temporarily rent a tiny (and private) office in an old, iconic phone booth. Inside the booths, there will be a printer and scanner, power outlets, Wi-Fi, a 25-inch monitor, and free coffee and tea. Membership at the booths, called Pod Works, costs £19.99 a month (KD 8) and will give access to more than 20 booths across the city. Because of the size of the booths, and to keep the spaces available for as many people as possible, users get a warning after an hour of use, and then have to leave. "I would imagine some people would use it maybe once a week," says Jonathan Black, CEO of Bar Works, the company that will run the micro-offices. "People who need to prepare for a meeting, maybe people who want a bit of privacy when they're doing their emails." Bar Works already runs coworking spaces out of nontraditional spaces—old bars and restaurants—in New York City (and soon San Francisco). Black, who is from London, realized that the city's old phone booths could be put to better use, somewhat like in New York, where former pay phones have been replaced by free Wi-Fi hotspots. "There are so many of these unused phone boxes now in the U.K., especially in London," he says. "When I looked into it, there's one call made per week from these call boxes. I thought they're in such good locations in terms of transport hubs, commercial centers—if we were to put multipurpose work stations in these, then I could really see a good use." Many of the iconic boxes, once owned by British Telecom, are landmarks, but had become covered in graffiti. "They've fallen into a state of disrepair, a lot of these boxes," says Black. "The beauty of this is providing a new use for these, and a kind of new lease on life." It's one of several new uses for the classic phone booths. Another booth in London is 60

now a salad bar, and others have turned into art projects or defibrillator stations. Bar Works has leased 23 phone booths so far in London and plans to expand throughout the city and the U.K. as soon as it gets

permission from planning commissions. The first mini-offices, which are being retrofitted now, will open this summer. "It's transforming the iconic phone box and giving it a really good, interesting use," Black says.

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YOUR GO-TO SHOES THIS TRAVEL SEASON From Crocs Kuwait! By bazaar staff

The CitiLane Roka Slip-On

Finding the perfect shoe for your travels can get complicated, especially when you’ll be shifting from extremely hot weather in Kuwait to moderate, cool, or hot weather abroad. Everyone has different preferences, and finding the right balance between comfort and style can sometimes be impossible. Factoring in airport security lines and timeconstraints, your list of shoes that are available to easily slip on and off, while protecting your feet, shrink even more. Travel shoes should not only be versatile, but functional, stylish and comfortable too. Introducing a list of our go-to shoe picks for this year’s travel season, Crocs is here to help keep you (and your family!) comfortable and cool all season long: For Men: The CitiLane Roka Slip-On Vintage sneaker style never felt so good. In a mashed up classic sneaker look with iconic Crocs comfort, the CitiLane Roka is one of the most wearable slip-ons made. With a molded construction keeping it super light, you’ll never have to worry about extra luggage weight for your shoes again. The CitiLane Roka Slip-on features a vintageinspired cupsole design, sleek and stylish shape, soft and breathable perforated TPU uppers, Twin gore stretch panels for each on and off, and the 62

The Leigh II Ankle Strap Graphic Wedge

Iconic Crocs comfort original Croslite foam cushion. It’s a breezy, comfortable, easy going style makes it the right call for long delays or exasperating layovers. For Women: The Leigh II Ankle Strap Graphic Wedge This travel season, stand tall in those congested airport lines with the comfort of wedge sandals by Crocs. Introducing the second generation of the Leigh collection, you will get the same fit as the original with more style and most importantly, comfort. Putting more spring in your step with its fresh floral print, it’s the perfect step-into-vacationmode shoe you’re looking for. The Leigh II Ankle Strap Graphic Wedge Sandal features a faux leather upper, floral-print canvas forefoot straps, soft synthetic leather ankle straps, an adjustable smart buckle (with a hidden clasp for easy on and off), smooth lining Croslite material footbed (giving you more arch support), and Croslite material outsole 85mm wedge heel with rubber tap. Guaranteed to make you stand out from the crowd while remaining in your comfort zone, this wedge gives you all the cushion you seek at the terminal and more. For Kids: The Crocband II Banana LED Sandal Step outside of school and into summer vacation mode with the Crocband LED Sandal, available in Pineapple Green and Banana Blue. Have fun, go bananas, and run around all summer

The Crocband II Banana LED Sandal

in these lively editions of the popular Crocband II Sandal. Featuring fresh fruit graphics and LED lighting in the form of a Banana or Pineapple, this adjustable sandal is easy to get on and off - making everyone's life easier during those security lines. The Crocband II LED Sandals feature fun fresh fruit graphics, LED light up with every step, adjustable hook-and-loop closure for a secure fit, and the iconic Crocs comfort: the original Croslite foam cushion all kids love. Pick up a pair of these before your trip and this travel season you’ll get all the cushion and comfort with none of the complaining.

Want to learn more about Crocs? Follow Crocs on Instagram @CrocsKuwait, Twitter @CrocsKuwait, Facebook /CrocsKuwait, or visit them in-store at The Avenues Mall (2220 0507), 360 Mall (2530 9670), Discovery Mall (2291 3631), Gate Mall (2205 6137), Al-Kout Mall (2393 0108), Marina Mall (2224 4814), Liwan Mall (2221 0127), Al-Salam Mall (2205 2699), Sama Center (22216086), Souq Mubarakiya (2246 1823), and Kuwait International Airport (2431 6334).

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bazaar travel

CHANNELLING MY INNER ANGELINA JOLIE IN THE MYSTICAL LAND OF ANGKOR WAT By Jeanette Teh

“I felt beautiful when I was in Cambodia for Tomb Raider. I was sweaty, and my hair was matted and all over the place. And I was happy and hot…., and I could feel my heart beating, and I felt beautiful.” ~ Angelina Jolie

The warm breeze provided little respite from the heat as our tuk tuk, a three-wheeled motorbike taxi, moved slowly along the bumpy roads to the temple. With temperatures in the 30s, it was unusually warm for winter and while I was hot and sweaty, I certainly did not feel beautiful. However, the beauty around me did ignite the type of happiness Angelina described. Located just outside the town of Siem Reap, the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is comprised of several temples spanning over 400 square kilometres. It is named after the Angkorian era that took place between the 9th and 15th centuries. The Smiling Faces of The Bayon “We stop first at famous temple of the faces”, John, our driver, informed us as we headed to Angkor Thom, the former capital of the Angkor civilization (they changed capital cities often). At the center of Angkor Thom, “the Great City” which housed several temples, lies The Bayon, the State Temple of King Jayavarman VII that was constructed around 1200. Known for its 50 towers which have faces carved into huge blocks of stones, the temple features over 200 faces, creating a magnificent roof-top tableau. Some scholars believe that the four-meter tall faces are those of the Buddhist deity of compassion, and that their enigmatic smiles and closed eyes reflect a state of Nirvana. It was enchanting to have the many serene faces smiling down on us as if stone dieties were casting a gentle spell of relaxation and perhaps even inner peace and enlightenment upon us weary travelers. After viewing the many pretty bas-reliefs (wall carvings) depicting battles, palace and daily life beneath the face-towers, we ended our visit of the Great City at the Elephant Terrace, a showcase of elephant carvings, and the Leper King Terrace, based on a legendary leper king. The Little City of Beauty Another unique temple is the Jewel of the Khmer, Banteay Srei, which means “Citadel of Women” or “Citadel of Beauty”. Its miniature scale is almost as if it was created for children. While small in comparison to the other temples 64

and a 20 kilometer drive away, its exquisite carvings in the pink sandstone with wonderfully delicate details made it a special experience, particularly since we enjoyed it early in the morning before the busloads of selfie-snapping tourists arrived. Channeling our inner Tomb Raiders Being the site where Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was filmed in 2001, Ta Phrom is one of the most visited temples in Angkor. While we were aware that Ta Phrom is unusual as one of the few sites left in its “natural state,” we were nevertheless astonished to see what that actually meant. “OH. MY. GOSH!”, I exclaimed, stopping suddenly as we approached the complex. I was so mesmerized, I was unable to move my foot in a forward motion. If it were nightfall, I would have backed away in fright as a horror-movie monster tree appeared to be gobbling the temple. Its sprawling, octopus-like roots clawing over the walls, while branches sprouted through the roof. These tree trunks with massive roots are literally growing through and over the temple, which was constructed around 1126. It is unclear when and how these trees merge into the temple, but the seamless blending of stones with tree branches and roots was the most remarkable sight. With child-like wonder, we fancied ourselves Tomb Raiders exploring the grounds, energetically fueled by our fish amok lunch, a deliciously flavorful curry that even my delicate stomach did not find spicy. That evening we dined on Pub Street, the town’s prime tourist spot. Although we were offered crocodile, snake, and kangaroo for our Cambodian BBQ, a wonderful mix of Korean BBQ grill and Chinese hot pot soup, we opted for the less exotic chicken, beef and prawn instead, at a very tasty $7 (KD 2) per person. We ended our adventurous day at the Red Piano restaurant, where Angelina Jolie had hung out during the filming of Tomb Raider, and had even more excitement that night. “Do you hear a bell ringing?”, my husband asked, not long after we had placed our order. “I think you just won the Tomb Raider!”, I remarked with glee as I saw the waitress emerging with the signature drink, the 10th order of which was given free each night. Wonderment at Angkor Wat The buzzing of my alarm at 5 a.m. the next day was a rude awakening after a deep slumber, a well earned by a full day of temple visits. I groaned at the thought of waking up earlier on vacation than for work. However, as we were scheduled to catch the spectacular Angkor Wat sunrise, my weary body was sufficiently motivated to get up. Built around 1113, Angkor Wat was both the capital and state temple constructed under King Suryavarman II, taking 30 years to complete. It represents a microcosm of the Hindu universe and is the world’s largest religious monument. Most, if not all, the

temples in the Angkor Park are of the Hindu variety although Angkor Wat was converted to a Buddhist temple in the 14th century. There have been several translations of “Angkor Wat”, “Capital temple”, “temple city”, “City which became a pagoda”, or “Angkor monastery”. Whatever its name means, it is simply a mystical place. Surrounded by a large moat giving it a beautiful waterfront entrance, it is a three-tiered pyramid with five delicate lotus-like towers that are 65 meters high. At its prime, it housed about a million people, the world’s largest city until the Industrial Revolution. Being the peak season, it certainly felt like there were a million other

tourists there as well, even at the crack of dawn. We sat quietly on the banks of the moat, awaiting the sunrise. As we watched the skies turn from inky black to varying shades of grey, highlighted with increasingly bright orange flames flanking the temple tops, I was filled with a sense of calm, a serene smile playing on my lips. Perhaps it was due to the sense of wonder at the stark beauty of nature transforming right before our eyes or to the awe-inspiring recognition that so much history had unfolded at this spot almost a thousand years ago. Whatever it was, just as Cambodia had humbled Angelina Jolie, I, too, felt humbled by the architectural grandeur and celestial show in front of me. 65

WHY THAI FOOD TASTES BETTER IN THAILAND THAN ANYWHERE ELSE By George Hobica

Anyone who cooks knows that even one ingredient, however small, can make or break a recipe. Fans of Jamie Oliver, the British chef, know this well. His cookbooks are full of simple recipes, and often the finishing touch is an herb such as fresh rosemary or a fresh red chili, without which the finished dish lacks its wow factor. He also lists “optional” ingredients in many of his dishes. But leave them out, and it’s just not the same thing. And that’s why Thai food tastes better in Thailand than almost any restaurant anywhere else. It’s largely about the ingredients and how fresh they are. On my first visit to Thailand, I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and ate several times at their lunch buffet. Now you’d think two things: one, hotel food is hotel food; and two, especially, a buffet can’t be that authentic or good. But it was a revelation. At the time, it was the best Thai food I’d ever eaten, whether in Los Angeles, New York, or anywhere else. It just tasted fresher and more complex. Later, I took a cooking class at the hotel, and although it was years ago and I don’t remember much, I do recall that the variety of ingredients available in Bangkok was nothing I’d ever seen 66

at an Asian market stateside. I find that a lot of Thai food elsewhere just tastes the same. It’s too sweet, under-seasoned, and sings just a couple of notes. Earlier this year I had a chance to revisit Thailand (Chiang Rai, Phuket and Bangkok) and I explored a couple of open-air markets with Surachai Kakaew, executive sous chef at the Anantara Resort Chiang Rai, where they also give cooking classes. What I discovered was what I suspected on my previous trips: it’s the ingredients. In the markets I saw six different varieties of eggplant, several different kinds of basil, and countless types of chili, many of which I had never seen the likes in Asian food markets back home. Go to a market in the U.S. and you’ll find one kind of ginger. Here I saw three. There was Thai garlic, similar to what we get at home, but not quite the same, as well as a type of parsley I had never seen before. There were even a couple of items that even the chef couldn’t identify. Not only is there more variety, but I suspect that the ingredients are fresher than they are when they travel long distances to outside destinations. You might ask why aren’t these ingredients available outside of Thailand. “It’s partly climate,” chef Kakaew explained, “and partly demand. Some things grow better and more

economically in our tropical climate here in Thailand, and if there’s no demand for a wide variety of ingredients outside, there’s no incentive to import them.” So while you might be able to find some things if you look hard enough (lemongrass, kaffir leaves, etc.) you won’t find everything you’ll see in a typical Thai vegetable market. All of which is to say, if you love eating, if you love Thai food in particular, it’s reason enough to visit (that and, of course, the people, the culture, the scenery, the wonderful massages for next to nothing, and the shopping). I did find, sadly, that western propensity for making everything sweeter than it needs to be has seeped into some Thai regional cooking. If you love cooking in general or Thai cuisine in particular, taking a Thai cooking course makes a worthwhile break from sightseeing. Many hotels offer them to guests, and Bangkok’s Blue Elephant Cooking School (it’s a popular restaurant as well) is well known and reputable with small classes and morning or afternoon sessions. The Amita Cooking Classes also come highly recommended. Both offer a great meal and perhaps a chance to meet fellow travelers with common interests. But most importantly, it’s an opportunity to experience authentic Thai cuisine and to bring back culinary skills that will last a lifetime.

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big boys toys

SEA DRONE

Drones have become the go-to way to capture footage and stills from above the ground. The Sea Drone aims to do the same under the surface of the water. Its thruster system automatically regulates the propeller speed while monitoring the current, voltage, RPM, and temperature. A simple iOS-based interface combined with Auto Depth and Auto Heading systems makes control a breeze, and real-time video stabilization ensures that you get smooth footage even in choppy waters. Good for everything from filmmakers to bridge inspections.

DEUS EX MACHINA BALI DOG MOTORCYCLE

As the first bike out of the company's Indonesian arm, you'd think the Deus Ex Machina Bali Dog Motorcycle would be a display-type piece. Instead, it never quits changing. Reimagined multiple times to suit the current rider's needs, it began life as a plastic-clad Yamaha Scorpio, which has since been completely stripped, and is currently outfitted with knobby tires appropriate for the island's rugged trails, a plastic fender for added durability, a vintage lamp and seat for retro appeal, a custom tank built to match the matteblack look, and, of course, bars for carrying your board to and from the beach.

1993 CAGIVA MOKE

Designed by Mini creator Alec Issigonis and originally meant to be dropped from a plane for parachute landing, the Moke is one of the more curious off roaders ever built. It was made by Mini from 1964-1991, when the rights were sold to Italian firm Cagiva, which made them for two more years. As a result, the 1993 Cagiva Moke you see here was one of the last ever made, and is amazingly well preserved. With under 1,200 miles on the odometer, it still has its original body with white paint and white leather seats, teak running boards, wooden steering wheel, four-speed transmission, and 998 cc, 39 hp fourcylinder engine. A true cult classic that's sure to turn heads wherever you drive it.

BARISIEUR COFFEE ALARM CLOCK

Having a warm cup of coffee sitting on your nightstand the moment your eyes open sounds more like a dream than a wake-up call. The Barisieur Coffee Alarm Clock lures you into consciousness with the aroma of a fresh brew. Using induction heating and stainless steel ball bearings, water boils and is siphoned over your grounds to drip into your favorite mug while you sleep. The walnut frame even houses a cooler for your cream and a drawer for your sugar, eliminating the need to even get out of bed. Although this bedside barista seems like a gift from the caffeine gods, this concept is still in development and isn't currently available for purchase.

MONTBLANC TIMEWALKER PYTHAGORE ULTRA-LIGHT CONCEPT WATCH

Dedicated to World Badminton Champion Lin Dan, the Montblanc TimeWalker Pythagore UltraLight Concept Watch is an intriguing mix of modern engineering and old-world technique. The 40mm case is made using black DLC titanium for the lugs and ITR2, a composite material made from carbon nanotubes, mixed with Kevlar carbon for the middle case, back, bezel, and crown. The dial is skeletonized and the case back made from mineral glass, letting you get a good view of the Calibre MB M62.48 movement that's based on Pythagoras's Golden Ratio and recalls the Minerva Pythagore movement from 1943. The end result is one of the world's lightest mechanical timepieces â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it weighs just 14.88 grams â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and when paired with the black nylon strap, one of its more striking, too.

DEPARTMENT CHICAGO HI-FI CONSOLE

Inspired by furniture designs from the 1950s and 60s, the folks at Department Chicago recently unveiled this beautiful throwback Hi-Fi Console. It's made from select Maple and Walnut hardwood solids for the best sound possible and comes with an adjustable shelf, removable record holders, connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or a audio-in connection. You even have the option to personalize your console by picking the best finish and color combo for your space. A classic hi-fi look with modern amenities make this the perfect excuse to finally dive headfirst into the world of vinyl.

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#WORKSHOPS

REGION The Promenade Culture Centre will be hosting Emergent SCHOOL NAME Constructions workshop August 2016.

Emergent Constructions Architectural Association Visiting School 3-12 August 2016 - Kuwait

‘Emergent Constructions’ will bring together international and local students, academics and practising architects in a ten day Visiting School investigating contemporary methodologies for context-speciﬁc architectural design. Through a research-based design agenda, the programme will engage with the material, social and cultural ecologies of the city and extrapolate these to invent an occupiable space in the heart of the city.

594mm

Constructing a large scale architectural structure at 1:1 scale, the workshop will explore new and innovative generative methodologies for design and construction, and their capacity to incorporate dynamic social and environmental performance qualities.

promenade 'The Twist' 2015, AA EmTech students and staﬀ. The workshop will focus on information-based design and digital fabrication. The processing of information, from material experiments and the sensing of people movements and behavior will form the basis for the geometrical translation and construction of the ﬁnal installation that will be built during the workshop.

During the workshop, students will gain knowledge in computational tools, material research and experiments, and generative design thinking. The programme will include speciﬁc software seminars aimed at introducing the participants to 3D modeling and scripting in Rhino and Grasshopper and offer an overview of the implications of these new design methodologies within the practice and theory of architectural design.

The day to day schedule of the workshop is calibrated towards and intensive and productive working schedule, offering a programme of workshop sessions, software seminars, group presentations and discussions, and public lectures by workshop teaching staff and invited local academics and practioning architects.

The ﬁnal outcome of the workshop will be a 1:1 scale architectural pavilion located at a highly public site within one of the indoor malls in Kuwait. The pavilion will be open to the public and will remain on the site for several weeks, incorporating capacities for movement, views, seating and social interaction.

The workshop is open to current architecture and design students, academics and young professionals. To register as participant, visit http://kuwait.aaschool.ac.uk/

Sponsored by:

Architectural Association Architectural Association, 36 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3ES School of Architecture T +44 (0)20 7887 4000 F +44 (0)20 7414 0782. Architectural Association (Inc) Architectural Association, 36 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3ES T +44 (0)20 7887 4000 F +44 (0)20 7414 0782. Architectural Association (Inc) Registered Charity No 311083. Company Limited by Guarantee.

Registered Charity No 311083. Company Limited by Guarantee. Kuwait University

The Promenade

Promenade Culture Centre

Rhinoceros

RIBA Gulf

yourAOK

bazaar techno

ARLO SKYE CARRY-ON SUITCASE

PULSE CAMERA REMOTE

SAMSUNG GEAR ICONX EARPHONES

SUPER 73 ELECTRIC BIKE

SEA DOO UNDERWATER SEASCOOTER

OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-TRACKER CAMERA

If you’re going to travel, then you absolutely have to do it in techy style. Clad in anodized aluminummagnesium alloy with reinforced corners and strength-boosting grooves, the Arlo Skye CarryOn Suitcase is as rugged as it is practical. It has a removable battery pack with two USB ports for on-the-go charging, a zipperless frame with integrated TSA locks, antimicrobial interior lining and four 360º spinning Silent Run Lisof wheels to ensure it's as quiet and maneuverable as possible. Available in black, silver, or champagne.

With plenty of power and a rugged powder-coated steel frame, the Super 73 Electric Bike gets you around in style. It's powered by a 1,000 watt motor, letting it hit a top speed over 25 mph — perfect for urban exploring — and has disc brakes to bring you to a stop safely. The 4.75-inch wide tires good for most terrain, the removable battery pack has 20 miles of range without pedaling, and the thumb throttle and LCD display make it easy to control. It's finished off with a cup holder, bottle opener, and USB charging port, and is available in a rainbow of hues.

Your camera might have Wi-Fi control. It might not. It doesn't really matter, because there's no chance it can match the features of the Pulse Camera Remote. This Bluetooth-based remote sits atop your camera's hot shoe and connects to it via USB, giving you an unprecedented level of control. It can do all the normal things, like set the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, take photos, and record video, and give you a preview of the image. But it also enables super-precise control over long exposures without the need to sit next to the camera, and has advanced timelapse features that let you ramp the ISO and shutter speed over time to match the changing natural light. Compatible with nearly every modern Canon or Nikon DSLR, as well as the Panasonic GH4.

Make your next snorkeling trip far more exciting with the Sea Doo Underwater SeaScooter. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it can move you around at depths of up to 130 feet and at speeds of over 4 mph. It has three speeds for added control, a self-filling ballast hull for neutral buoyancy, and ergonomic handles with trigger controls. The batteries are good for up to 90 minutes per charge, and are easily swappable for back-to-back dives.

Perfect for the beach, or for long walks at the summer destination of your choice. The 'phones have 4GB of internal storage, so you can play music without taking your phone with you, and built-in sensors record data like heart rate, distance, speed and calories burned. Of course, you can also stream music to them over Bluetooth, an ambient sound mode ensures you can hear what's going on around you when you're running on/near the road, and the included carrying case doubles as a charger, giving you two extra top-offs before you need to find an outlet.

As rugged as they come and packed with tech, the Olympus Tough TG-Tracker Camera is the action cam for the data hungry. It uses a bevy of sensors — including GPS, a barometric pressure sensor, an accelerometer, an electronic compass, and a temperature sensor — to record data about your location and the conditions, all while the 204º f/2.0 lens and UHD sensor capture 4K footage of your exploits at 30 fps. And since most adventures get a little messy, it's also waterproof down to 100 feet, dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof, so it can handle whatever you throw its way.

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bazaar goes dining

SHARING FOOD AND STORIES

An intimate review at Trapani Cicchetteria By bazaar staff

There’s something about an evening dining experience at a cosmopolitan Italian spot that makes you feel social and hungry all at once. The atmosphere at Trapani Cicchetteria translates that beautifully into mouth-watering goodies and thirst quenching drinks, all while being nestled within a gorgeously designed space, situated in Kuwait’s scenic Murouj dining complex. The darkness of the sky created a sleepy, intimate yet edgy, feel to the restaurant, with its interactive kitchen and drinks counter on full display. Customers perched themselves on the barstools and watched as the skilled drink slinger expertly crushed ice, and pounded fresh ingredients to create refreshing potions served in modern cocktail glasses. The modernity of said drinks in contrast with the classic “backto-basics” use of fresh ingredients defines the concept perfectly. Trapani, from its cicchette (Italian style tapas) portioned food to its rustic-meets-art-deco décor, reaps a blend 72

of traditional and modern values to create an unforgettable experience that encourages diners to share dishes and stories. The sister restaurant to the loved Melenzane concept in Al Bida’a promised a taste of Italy with every bite, and it surely delivered. Named after the capital city of the Trapani province in Sicily, Trapani takes influences from parts of Italy as a whole, paying a little special attention to the Sicilian region, and incorporating those tastes with the palates of Kuwait’s locals to create fusion dishes to be enjoyed by all. We were warmly welcomed with a basket of freshly baked, fluffy bread strips and a small pot of sundried tomato pesto to tease our taste buds for the goodness to come. We munched excitedly on the lightly seasoned bread, the waiter brought us three festive drinks to start our evening off with a refreshing kick. The Passionista, mixed with strawberry, passion fruit, lemon, cranberry and apple juices, was a delightful concoction that catered to those who enjoyed something sweet, yet tart to cool down with after a day of being underneath Kuwait’s

harsh sun. Its frozen counterpart, Sunset, is aptly named to commemorate the famous Capri sunsets that many congregate to enjoy. Made with mango, ginger and apple juice, it provided a tart sweetness and spice. For those who love their classic 7-Up and Sprite while enjoying a meal, go for the Sour Apple: an innovative cocktail created with a crushed green apple, with a subtle twist of lime and ginger. This drink is expertly prepared, shaken in ice cubes and topped off with a dash of sprite. Salads were a fresh way to start off our dining experience, with two beautifully presented dishes: the Quinova salad and the Gambotti salad. The Quinova offers a healthy way to dine and is loved by vegetarian customers. This hearty medley of quinoa, goat cheese and market-fresh cherry tomatoes is tossed with a light citrus dressing, promising and delivering a “summers in Sardinia” flavor. The Sicilian-inspired Gambotti served up a delightful blend of tossed lollo rosso and rocket leaves topped with grilled and glazed shrimps, shredded parmesan, crispy bread, and drizzled

with white ranch and vinaigrette dressing to create a bright and indulgent salad. Then came the antipasto. We were brought a dish of Fromaggi balls: a harmonious medley of cheese mixed with hints of jalepeno, rolled into balls and deep-fried. Of course, the only thing that’s better than deep fried cheese is deep friend risotto and quinoa with cheese, which is what we sampled next. A glorious dish named Quinoa Arancino, which the menu described as a “Siciliana-style flavor filled ball of pumpkin risotto rolled in a quinoa crust, stuffed with cheese and porcini served on a bed of creamy tomato sauce.” Dubbed “the ultimate Italian comfort food”, it was indeed comforting, and with cheese oozing out of its crevices, we couldn’t keep our forks from attacking the shared plate. You can’t dine Italian without having a pizza to share on the table, especially at Trapani, where all pizzas are made from scratch in their authentic wood-fire oven. The built-in oven is made to allow for pizzas to slide in and out of, until the crust is bubbling. We opted for

a classic Margherita and were pleased with the results. With playful hints of basil and just the right amount of cheese, this pizza is truly perfect and would please the likes of any dough-kneading Nonna. While Trapani offers a wide range of mouthwatering pasta dishes, their risottos are showstoppers. We were presented with two best-selling dishes: the Porcini Pollo Risotto, and the Carne Risotto. Both dishes were creamy and delicious, yet offered a pleasant difference in taste. The Porcini Pollo consisted of delicately grilled chicken breast topped with a coating of creamy porcini sauce, and was cradled in a portion of saffron risotto. The blend of spices was extremely impressive, as they married together well and the strength of saffron played its part beautifully in this innovative dish. Its carnivorous counterpart, the Carne Risotto, was served as a creamy tomato risotto infused with chunks of grilled short rib beef and a touch of fried onions to garnish. Mixing sweet and succulent, it’s difficult to disregard this prizewinning dish as a best seller.

Though we were stuffed beyond our very core, we at bazaar have never been known to deny ourselves dessert, and Trapani knew just how to stimulate our sweet teeth. Serving up a plate of deliciously warm Sticky Date Pudding alongside a traditional Italian Tiramisu was just the way to end our evening on a sweet note. We swooned when we tried the Sticky Date Pudding – it was quick to become the table’s favorite. After all, who doesn’t love a tender, sponge textured date pudding cake, topped with a rich butterscotch glaze? Pair it with sneaky spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream and you’re in heaven. As for the Tiramisu, it was beautifully presented atop a bed of ladyfingers. Delightfully Italian, classic, and ideal with a nice, hot cup of strong espresso.

Visit Trapani Cicchetteria at Murouj Complex next to the Sahara Country Club off the Sixth Ring Road, Sabhan. Call them at 9887 9111, and check out their website at www.trapanirestaurant.com. Follow them on Instagram @trapanikwt. 73

bazaar music

STRANGER TO STRANGER

STRANGE LITTLE BIRDS By Garbage

By Peter, Bjorn and John

Paul Simon has announced a new album called Stranger to Stranger, led by its first single "Wristband." Stranger to Stranger will be released this month on Concord Records, marking Simon's 13th solo studio album. The iconic musician will touring this spring and summer as well, supporting the new album with nearly 40 shows. The new set was produced by Simon and his longtime musical partner Roy Halee. In a statement Simon described the LP, saying, "It's about getting you to actually hear something in a new way. It's about making music that sounds old and new at the same time; music with a sense of mystery."

Garbage have announced a new album, Strange Little Birds. The self-produced follow-up to 2012's Not Your Kind of People arrives June 10 via the band's STUNVOLUME label. It'll be accompanied by a tour of Europe and the U.K. In a press release, frontwoman Shirley Manson described the album's overlying principle as "keeping it fresh, and relying on instinct both lyrically and musically." She also compared it to their 1995 self-titled debut, which the group reissued and took on tour for its twentieth anniversary last year. "To me, this record, funnily enough, has the most to do with the first record than any of the previous records," she explained. "It's getting back to that beginner's headspace."

Peter, Bjorn and John are gearing up to release their sixth studio effort, Breakin’ Point, in June through their personal imprint INGRID. The follow-up to 2011’s Gimme Some features production from the likes of Paul Epworth (Paul McCartney, Florence and the Machine), Greg Kurstin (Adele, Beck), and Emile Haynie (ASAP Rocky, Lana Del Rey). Earlier this month, we had our first taste of Breakin’ Point via the discotinged “What You Talking About?”. Today, the Swedish three-piece is back with the LP’s title track, a lovely number uplifted by a harmonious mix of sweet whistling, reverberating drums, and a swelling chorus.

GOOD TIMES

THE MOUNTAIN WILL FALL By DJ Shadow

By Red Hot Chili Peppers

It's been fifty years since the Monkees entered the public consciousness with their television program The Monkees. The band will celebrate the milestone by releasing Good Times!, their first collection of new material since 1997's Justus. It features songs penned by Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, Oasis' Noel Gallagher, Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard, Rogue Wave's Zach Rogue, and more. They've also announced a world tour. Aside from the contributions from modern artists, Good Times! will include songs written for the Monkees by artists like Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Harry Nilsson. It is their first album without Davy Jones, who died in 2012.

DJ Shadow has announced a new album, The Mountain Will Fall, out June 24 via Mass Appeal. It's the follow-up to 2011's The Less You Know, the Better, the 2012 box set Total Breakdown: Hidden Transmissions From The MPC Era, 19921996 and the 2014 EP Liquid Amber. The album features guest appearances from Run the Jewels, Nils Frahm, and others. Davis said the DJ gigs gave him new ideas to which he could apply his vision, much as, say, hearing drum'n'bass had done in the '90s. Endtroducing... in 2016 would not sound like Endtroducing... in '96 by design," he added. "The same way I was trying to push the boundaries then, I'm trying to push my own boundaries now."

Red Hot Chili Peppers are set to return with a brand new album called The Getaway. Due out through Warner Bros., the 13-track LP includes production from Danger Mouse as well as mixing from Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. The Getaway serves as the long-awaited followup to 2011’s I’m With You. It also marks the first Chili Peppers release not produced by Rick Rubin since 1989’s Mother Milk. Along with news of the LP, the alt rock veterans premiered lead single “Dark Necessities” on radio stations across the US today. Mid-tempo and soulful, the five-minute cut finds frontman Anthony Kiedis accompanied by piano and some really funky bass.

By Paul Simon

By The Monkees

BREAKIN’ POINT

THE GETAWAY

ketchen aid

FIVE GUYS KUWAIT

These guys know burgers and fries! By bazaar staff

One of my favorite things to do after a day well spent at the beach is digging into a burger that hits the spot. The mere thought of those flavors, biting into a beautifully seasoned patty of meat and munching on dreamy, crunchy fries, invokes so many awesome childhood memories; and after laying under the sun and swimming for hours, who wants to head home to cook? When it comes to choosing a new burger dive, head to Five Guys Kuwait. With its expansive location in Kuwait City’s Al Tijaria Tower, this family-run American burger concept opened with a huge, and might I add well-deserved, bang. Delivering on the promise of simple, wholesome, freshly prepared burgers and by far some of the best fries I’ve tried in Kuwait, Five Guys presents a no-fuss no-muss approach to its offerings. The décor comes alive with bright red, simply offset with white accents, and is reminiscent of a classic diner feel. You’ll see stacked tin gallons of peanut oil, lining up the queue and ready to be used to present you with insanely great crunchy on the outside, yet fluffy on the inside, fries. The burger patties are perfectly juicy, and fresh is the best way to describe them as you truly do 76

taste this with every bite. Your burgers are always made to order, and no fillers or preservatives are ever used in the beef. The burger patties aren’t overwhelmed with grease, nor are they dry, but instead offer a pleasing balance of flavors and textures. Nothing is ever frozen, and you can actually see where the fries are sourced from each time you visit clearly illustrated on the signage board behind the ordering counter. If it’s Dutch potatoes you love, then you’ve come to the right place. My favorite part of the Five Guys experience is the fact that you can always customize your burger to your liking! Freshly chopped jalapenos offer a spicy crunch, and the grilled onions offer the perfect smoky flavor everyone craves from the barbeque. That’s the beauty of it all, you can literally create endless combinations from the 15 free toppings, based on your sense of burger-adventure. The staff are super helpful, and are happy to answer any questions you might have. They smilingly took my order and in about six minutes, I was feasting. The regular Five Guys hamburger or cheeseburger is gloriously gluttonous, as the double patty packs in huge flavor. If you’re more a single-patty-burger-fanatic, like me, then you won’t go wrong with the ‘Little’ hamburger or cheeseburger. It’s might be called little, but trust me, it’s mighty! With an additional selection of hotdogs,

vegetarian and good old melted cheese sandwiches, Five Guys offers a scrumptious selection for every palate. Not only so, carb-conscious burger lovers can rest easy, as all burgers and hotdogs can be ordered bun-less. No burger experience is ever complete without a creamy and sinfully sweet milkshake. Speaking on Five Guys’ renditions of this classic was our resident milkshake expert and bazaar colleague. While I sampled the classic peanut butter milkshake, she went on to create an incredible concoction of peanut butter, salted caramel, and malted milk. Did we mention that all of the delightful mix-ins are free? I left Five Guys with an insanely happy tummy, and also learned that they will soon be opening up locations in Salmiya and Mahboula. Whether you like your burgers post-beach, or you simply have a hankering for the freshest and juiciest beef patties, then head to Five Guys and start your own burger adventure.

Five Guys Kuwait is located in Al Tijaria Tower in Sharq, Al Soor Street, right across from Al-Shaheed Par. Call 2227 3605 for more details, visit www.FiveGuys.me and follow @FiveGuysKuwait on Instagram.

carriage

ZOI

Explore the flavors of Greece in the heart of Shuwaikh! By bazaar staff

Summer is officially upon us and sometimes, we crave a little culinary adventure. Rather than booking travel tickets, simply transport your senses to Greece and feast on freshly prepared dishes, right here in Kuwait. Located in the heart of Shuwaikh Market, ZOI is Kuwait’s hottest new eatery. Reminiscent of a cozy Greek taverna, ZOI serves up colorful Mediterranean cuisine in the most spectacular way. 78

Full of natural light, their chaise lounge seating, garden and salon chairs mixed with wonderfully mismatched pillows give the place a homey feel. A single olive tree takes center stage in the middle of the restaurant surrounded by tables and diners, while Greek music blares in the background. All around, the walls and the ceiling are decorated with hanging floral cups and bird mobiles as well as plants, giving the space a kitschy-chic vibe. Still in their soft opening phase, ZOI's menu is small but mighty and superbly delicious. We took our seats, sipped on our Rose Iced Tea and enjoyed the freshly baked bread and olives as we waited for our meal.

Two options of soup start off the menu – a Soupa Kounoupidi, pureed cauliflower soup and Fassolatha, white bean and vegetable soup – will kick start the appetite and leave you craving more. The salad options were quintessentially Mediterranean and perfectly in theme. Their Roasted Cauliflower Salad was palatable and came over a bed of baby spinach, chickpeas and a wonderful pomegranate and sumac spiced tahini dressing and fresh herbs. The refreshing Watermelon Salad came with Kalamata olives, mint and feta cheese finished off with a honey vinaigrette. The star of the show was Saganaki Salad, which is a beautifully crispy, melted

Kashkawan cheese over rocca, mint leaves and pomegranate seeds. Then came the meals to share, and we were giddy. The fresh Fried Calamari served up with a side of lemon caper mayo had the perfect crunch. The Beef Baklava on the other hand was superb and surprising! Imagine the typically sweet baklava pastry in a savory format, filled with spiced meat and topped with a cinnamon syrup and some roasted pine nuts. The Sesame Saganaki dish upped the cheese’s flavor profile with a golden sesame crust and appetizing fig compote. But the Kolokithokeftedes, or Zucchini Fritters, were perfect! Brilliant flavors meet and mingle in the fritters themselves and the tzatziki and slivered pistachios elevate the taste further. As for the main dishes, we were smitten. Boasting four options to please every palate, ZOI’s main dishes are superb. A chicken option came to us in the form of a juicy Chicken Souvlaki with pilaf rice and tzatziki. The beef was a beautifully marinated Koufta, and it was presented with a cumin-heavy lemon tahini sauce and finished with pomegranate seeds. Pro tip: dip some of their freshly baked bread into the sauce, it’s glorious match! For all the fish lovers out there, you’re not forgotten. ZOI makes a killer fish-of-the-day dish called Psari Plaki. Enough for two to three people, the fish is fresh from the market and baked whole with fresh herbs and a tantalizingly fragrant sauce. The lamb dish of choice was none other than the expertly prepared Moussaka – with a twist. The roasted eggplant is stuffed with potatoes and lamb spiced and simmered in a tomato-based cinnamon and clove sauce, then topped off with a ricotta, parmesan béchamel sauce that is then baked to perfection. Comfortably full from all the food, we ordered some dessert. With a side of hot tea, the desserts were brilliant. The Chocolate Truffle Loukoumades – a twist on the traditional crispy dumplings – had a beautiful molten chocolate center and drizzled with honey cinnamon and roasted walnuts. ZOI’s Mistikha Kataifi were a palatably crispy phyllo cake stuffed with mistikha crème anglaise, strawberry compote and topped with pistachio slivers. If you’re craving something summery, go for the Zezenia. This trifle like dessert is refreshing in the heat and satiated our craving perfectly. Topped with candy-floss, this dessert has mistikha icecream in the middle and a rose and pistachio reduction at the bottom. Take a spoonful of all three together and enjoy the burst of flavors with every bite. So let your taste-buds travel to Greece’s scenic seaside taverns and visit ZOI for a truly delicious journey through their vibrant take on Greek cuisine. ZOI is in Shuwaikh Market in Shuwaikh Industrial Area-1. Opening hours are 3PM to 10PM daily. Call them on 2221 6935 for enquiries and follow them on Instagram @ZoiKw for more. 79

PALEO FOR A WEEK No gluten, no dairy, no diggity By bazaar staff

Have your jeans been feeling a little…. snug lately? We don’t blame you, and we aren’t here to judge. Ramadan usually tends to mess up our eating habits and confuses our bodies. It is a beautiful and special time of year (this year being no exception) but for your waistline? Not so much. And then there’s Eid Al Fitr. Don’t even get us started on the challenges of not eating everything in sight during Eid – because after all, it is a holiday! After spending a few months prior to Ramadan following strict meal plans and workout regimens, I managed to successfully lose close to ten kilos. Of course, when Ramadan rolled around, the nightmarish possibility of gaining back at least half, if not all, of that weight within the course of a month became a dangerous reality. Leading up to Ramadan, I called up Chef Paul and arranged for a life (and tummy) saving week of Paleo meals to be sent to the office, via his service, Paleo Paul. Paleo Paul is a concept created and run by Chef Paul Kopecny, whose interest in cooking stems from days spent in his native Czech Republic. Paul’s career as a chef began quite early, with an impressive resume boasting experience in worldwide cities such as Prague, Vienna, Berlin and New York. His vast experience enriched him with knowledge about the culinary business, and this shows in his cooking. Coupled with his vehement Paleo dietary ethos, what started out as preparing Paleo meals for just a few of his friends in Kuwait, evolved into a meal plan business catering to those who want to get back on track with a healthy lifestyle despite their busy schedules. What is Paleo? For those who are unfamiliar, Paleo is a dietary practice that preaches going “back to basics”, or eating like our cavemen ancestors would have. The rules are as follows when it comes to eating Paleo: eat real food, restrict yourself from gluten, dairy, refined sugar, genetically modified ingredients, wheat… basically, anything sinfully bad for you. But the misconception ends there. I’ll have to admit, as a cheese addict, I was nervous when sealing the deal with Paleo Paul to try their meals from Sunday to Thursday, but I found myself pleasantly surprised and actually looking forward to the meal boxes that would magically appear at our office every day at promptly 12:30. 80

The food had a habit of expanding my palate to dishes I never even thought possible to create or combine. Salads were fresh and offered a delightful marriage of fruits and vegetable such as day four’s cucumber, carrot and radish mélange with a coconut garlic dressing, or mango, clementine and chia seeds. Main meals were hearty, always including a glorious cut of protein, sometimes transformed and other times in pure form. I was particularly fond of day five’s meatloaf with carrot and bacon, accompanied with a side of roasted cauliflower and broccoli. Chef Paul is also known to include innovative surprises in his dishes, starting with his Paleo bread – oh, that Paleo bread! You wouldn’t even know that it was made without all those yummy bits that make bread so addictive! My personal favorite part of the bread was the incorporated seeds that gave it a pleasant crunch, but I was also fond of the Paleo friendly tortillas he used to make day three’s turkey tortilla with mango dip dinner. Lest we forget the show-stopping desserts. It became a ritual for everyone in the office to grab a utensil of choice to dig into my dessert at around 4 p.m., and of course, I didn’t mind sharing! (Until we got to the avocado banana brownie with pistachio and goji berries – I practically bit off someone’s hand for taking a

chunk that I deemed “too big”.) The Paleo Paul plans range, but what we were getting was valued at KD 80: salad, lunch, dinner, and dessert, rounding up to an intake of roughly 1220 calories – the perfect amount required to lose weight. When signing up for Paleo Paul's meal plans, you have the option to register for one, two or four weeks of Paleo eating. The Paleo Paul team is also extremely accommodating to people's dietary restrictions, encouraging you to communicate with them the foods you don't like or can't eat so that they can substitute ingredients to better suit your palate. The perks to eating Paleo is that all the fresh ingredients you’re consuming, not to mention the quality protein cooked with care in Paul’s kitchen, helps keep you feeling full, satisfied and energized daily. Also, the Paleo Paul meals gave me so much energy and helped me feel lighter, and I noticed a difference in my workouts– even my personal trainer was impressed! All in all, my Paleo Paul experience was extremely delightful, and I’m looking forward to trying it again, for a longer period of time. Interested in going Paleo? Check out Paleo Paul’s Instagram page for more information @paleopaulq8, or call them at 9402 8594. Visit their website at www.chefpaulkitchen.com.

elevation burger

A 965 SUMMER

Having fun in your own backyard By bazaar staff

Have your summer plans gone awry and now you’re annoyed that you’re “stuck” in Kuwait? Do you feel upset over the fact that your vacation is only destined to turn into a “staycation”? Rather than sulk over the fact that you don’t have enough time to take off of work, or that your group of friends weren’t proactive enough to help you plan a great escape this summer, take advantage of your time off spent at home, and “staycate” in style. Kuwait is a hot country – we get it, but with the right tools, summer over here can be enjoyable! Don’t believe us? We have a bunch of ideas to convince you otherwise. Private Beach Clubs Yes, the fees are hefty, but they’re well worth it. Also, if you join one now, you’ll likely be getting a year-long membership and full access to a relaxing place to call your home away from home. Most of these private beach clubs include a fully equipped gym where you could work out your woes and whip yourself into shape, a strip of Kuwait’s gorgeous coastline and access to a private beach, swimming pools, childcare, on-site dining, and sometimes, spas! Whether you’re an exercise fanatic or you just want to find a place to tan in peace, joining one of Kuwait’s beach clubs is a great investment to make. But remember, not all of these clubs actually have a beach. Some just have a pool – which is still more than enough to keep you fit and cool all summer! Beach Club Suggestions: Radisson SAS, Corniche, Palms, Symphony Style Hotel, C Club, Holiday Inn, Hilton Mangaf. Mall Walking This is an actual thing. Because malls in Kuwait tend to be vast in space, people make a habit out of lacing up their comfiest trainers and powerwalking through the highly air conditioned domes of Kuwait’s many malls. Yes, it can be distracting with all the tempting merchandise peeking out of your favorite stores’ big glass windows, not to mention the scent of decadent goodies wafting out of delicious cafes and eateries, but it’s a great way to get your cardio up to prep you for a lovely treat afterwards: whether that be a yummy meal, or an equally yummy new outfit. Another perk of mall-walking besides getting your heart rate up, is that it can help 82

you make better decisions when it comes to shopping! You can use part of your mallwalking experience to stride through each of the stores you frequent and browse their collection a few times, treating this as an actual “lap.” Then, once you’ve done different laps around the mall, you’ll know if something is still on your mind and if it’s worth trying on. Give it a try! But be warned, just because the temperatures outside are scorching, malls are quite freezing. A light sweater, and for the more serious, a bottle of water, might be a good idea. Mall Walking Suggestions: Marina Mall and Crescent, The Avenues, 360 Mall, Gate Mall, The Promenade. Kuwait on Ice There are two options to enjoy this long-loved frosty activity. Brace yourselves for surprise, people: Kuwait’s previous sole ice-skating rink off of Soor Street in Kuwait City is still open. You all remember the one with the weirdly good hot dogs and uncomfortable rentable skates that we’d always go to for field trips in elementary school. It could be worth a visit if you don’t mind keeping it oldschool, casual and low maintenance. For a more pristine experience, why not check out the newly established skating rink at The Promenade? The perks of visiting the Promenade means that you’ll be able to grab some lunch in the mall or stroll around after or during ice skating. It also leaves more flexibility for those travelling in a large group. Either way, summertime in Kuwait is the ideal time to skate, and it's the coolest way to beat the heat. The Kuwait Ice Skating Rink is located in Kuwait City, off the 1st ring road. For more information you can call them on 2241 1151 or 2241 1152. Promenade Ice is located in The Promenade, opposite Qadsiya on the 3rd Ring Road. Chalet Getaway Why don’t you and a couple of those closest to you get away for a little bit? If you know someone who has a chalet (beach house) outside of the metropolis, then venture out for a day (or weekend) of hanging surfside, away from Kuwait’s hustle and bustle. Chalets are ideal for barbecues, jet skiing, speed boating, and general chilling, and they offer a lot of peace and quiet. Take advantage if you can! A Great Escape For those who want to take their adventures to the great blue sea, consider renting a yacht with a couple of your friends and wander aimlessly around the gorgeous waters of the gulf. You could commission them to take you to one of Kuwait’s beautiful islands, or even stop in the middle of the sea for you to jump off and

swim around to your hearts’ content. Be sure to consider hitting up the infamous Failaka Island for the day to swim in clear waters and explore the historic city, and its remnants of ruins from ancient historical milestones. Stand up Paddle boarding For the adventurous soul who can’t think of a better way to spend the hot summer days than on the water – or in the water, Kuwait has introduced the concept of stand up paddle boarding to the yacht-loving nation. Ditch the jet ski and opt for a relaxing yet exhilarating experience on this environmentally friendly surfboard-meets-kayak contraption. Terrified yet intrigued? Have no idea where to start? Red Paddle Company boards have brought us Alex Gribble, instructor extraordinaire, to paddle you through your first time on the ‘board. Soon, you’ll be (paddle) boarding like a pro! Alex Gribble of Red Paddle offers KD25 sessions around the Messila area. Contact Alex on Whatsapp on 9442 2593.

Ice Cream Frenzy What better way to polish off a day of heatbeating activity? Cooling down further with an icy, tasty treat! Why not spend the summer treating yourself to ice cream from a new place in Kuwait every weekend? Whether it be sit-down dessert spots like Chocolate Bar or Choco Cuisine that offer decadent sundaes, to quick pop-in-for-a-cup places like Marble Slab or Baskin Robbins, or a place where you could get both and then some like Sloan’s in the Promenade—the country is filled to the brim with great ice cream options. Don’t forget to chase down the OG of ice cream in Kuwait, the men maneuvering the little ice cream truck/bicycle hybrids. There’s always one in ever y governorate at this time of year, and their iceboxes are exploding with goodies like Silver, Lulu, the orange pushpops and more. For more information on these great places, check out the Beyond the Food section of our 2016 Dining Guide, available online! 83

bazaar movie night

The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in Augest

TMNT: OUT OF THE SHADOWS

INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE

GHOSTBUSTERS

Release Date: July 6th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Cast: Alessandra Ambrosio/Megan Fox/Stephen Amell Synopsis: The sequel to 2014â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Michael Bay reboot in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. The turtles face a new challenge when Shredder escapes from custody and joins forces with Baxter Stockman, a mad scientist who plans to use a serum to take over the world. Along for the ride are Bebop and Rocksteady, two dimwitted henchmen who provide plenty of muscle. Luckily, the turtles have their own allies in April O'Neil, Vernon Fenwick and Casey Jones, a hockey-masked vigilante. As the pizza-loving heroes prepare for battle, the notorious Krang also emerges to pose an even greater threat.

Release Date: July 7th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: Maika Monroe/Liam Hemsworth/Joey King Synopsis: We always knew they were coming back. After Independence Day redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens' advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.

Release Date: July 14th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy Cast: Melissa McCarthy/Kristen Wiig/Kate McKinnon/ Chris Hemsworth Synopsis: Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. This summer, they're here to save the world! A paranormal researcher (Melissa McCarthy), a physicist (Kristen Wiig), a nuclear engineer (Kate McKinnon) and a subway worker (Leslie Jones) try to rid New York of ghosts that can possess humans.

JASON BOURNE

SUICIDE SQUAD

THE BFG

Release Date: July 28th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Thriller Cast: Alicia Vikander/Matt Damon/Julia Stiles/Tommy Lee Jones Synopsis: After not appearing in the last installment of the series, Matt Damon reprises his role as the titular former CIA agent with a hazy past. Damon himself chose not to return for the fourth film. The character of Jason Bourne does not appear in Legacy, but mention of his name and pictures of Damon as Bourne are shown throughout the film. Now, Jason Bourne is the fifth installment in the action franchise, and the third to be directed by Paul Greengrass. Jason Bourne, now remembering who he truly is, tries to uncover hidden truths about his past.

Release Date: August 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Crime, Sci-Fi Cast: Will Smith/Margot Robbie/Jared Leto/Cara Delevingne Synopsis: The third installment in the DC Extended Universe, Suicide Squad is written and directed by David Ayer and stars an ensemble cast featuring Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, and Cara Delevingne. A secret government agency known as "ARGUS," led by Amanda Waller, recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions as they are forced to become a special team known as "Task Force X" in exchange for clemency and saving the world from an unknown but powerful threat.

Release Date: August 11th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy Cast: Rebecca Hall/Bill Hader/Mark Rylance Synopsis: Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance). Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie's presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants. After traveling to London, Sophie and the BFG must convince Queen Victoria to help them get rid of all the bad giants once and for all.

For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit: Cinescape: www.cinescape.com.kw or Facebook: Cinescape â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kuwait National Cinema Company. *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice.

naz

bazaar around town

MAGIC BOOST SENSATION: RECLAIM YOUR YOUTHFUL SHAPE The Magic Boost Sensation series features unique bra designs that target individual shaping requirements. These sleek and feminine pieces can be combined with a shaping panty or body in matching designs and colors, available in Fair Orchid and Nude Beige. The Magic Wire bust support system won a coveted ‘Red Dot: Best of the Best Award’ for groundbreaking product design that makes a difference in women’s lives. If you want to show more cleavage, The Push Up will help you flaunt your assets. It rounds and lifts the bust, while the deep neckline is perfect for wearing under low-cut tops and dresses. Match with a wear-your-own-bra body dress for a smooth look all over. If you are longing for a little more curves at the top of your cup, The Lift Up is a perfect match. The extremely innovative cup features gradual padding which naturally lifts and rounds the soft bust tissue. Combine with a high-waist shaping panty featuring a smooth lacy finish. If you would like to mould a naturally fuller bust shape, The Shape-Up is for you. Side slings support a gentle push-in effect for front projection to create a rounded shape. The sides and back are higher to ensure a perfect fit. Match with a shaping tai featuring lace details. The Triumph SS16 collections are available at The Avenues, Promenade, Al Bairaq and Marina Mall stores and instagram @triumph_kw.

KERASTRAIGHT LAUNCHES NEW MOISTURE ENHANCE RANGE Featuring the very best blend of natural ingredients, KeraStraight Moisture Enhance Conditioner works in perfect harmony with KeraStraight Moisture Enhance Shampoo, by delivering a deep moisture and hydration treatment. The duo will help improve hair manageability - hair styling has never been easier! Developed to enhance the benefits of KeraStraight treatments and keep locks looking luscious for longer, Moisture Enhance helps hair achieve a shiny and seriously smooth look. The duo contains KS Complex to boost the incredible benefits and longevity of all KeraStraight in-salon treatments. Exclusively distributed by beau-tique cosmetics international. Call 2225 1285 for more info or visit www.beau-tiqueonline.com.

AUK HOLDS ITS ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HH THE PRIME MINISTER The American University of Kuwait (AUK) held its annual graduation commencement for the Class of 2016 on Thursday June 5th, where 367 students officially became AUK graduates, amongst whom where 24 graduates with honors, 21 with high honors and 6 with highest honors. The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait’s Council of Ministers, and was attended by His Excellency Dr. Bader Al-Essa, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Professor Dr. Habib Abul, Secretary General of Private Universities; and Shaikha Dana Naser Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Founder and Chair of AUK’s Board of Trustees, along with members of the AUK Board of Trustees, diplomats, dignitaries, and the families and friends of this year’s graduates. Ms. Amal Al-Binali, Vice President for Admissions & Public Affairs, welcomed the guests and family members of the graduates to AUK’s 11th graduation ceremony and officially inaugurated the ceremony by introducing the traditional processionals of the faculty and graduates. After the processional, all attendees were asked to rise for the National Anthem, which was followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran that emphasized the value of education for humanity. In his opening remarks, Professor Dr. Nizar Hamzeh addressed the graduates and congratulated them for their successful completion of an important phase in their lives. In his speech, Hamzeh explained that education is a bundle of learnt experiences and self-disciplines that stay with the graduates for life. “We set out to prepare leaders who will excel in their fields and apply the critical thinking skills they acquired from the liberal arts education they received at AUK to make the best decisions that will benefit their countries and communities. I am confident in your abilities and believe in each of you to carry on AUK’s legacy of producing strong and successful alumni,” he said. President Hamzeh then invited this year’s keynote speaker, H.E. Dr. Bader Al-Essa, to stage to deliver his keynote address. The Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Bader Al-Eissa addressed the graduates saying, “It is a great honor to have His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah present to celebrate the sons and daughters of this dear nation.” Dr. Eissa congratulated the students on achieving their goal of graduating with academic and professional skills that they could utilize in the future, “As it is their duty now to contribute to the development of this country.” More information on the American University of Kuwait can be found at www.auk.edu.kw.

CASIO LAUNCHES THE NEW MR-G G-SHOCK Casio Middle East and AL-BATEL GROUP, the exclusive distributor of Casio Time pieces in Kuwait, announced the launch of the latest addition to the flagship MR-G Series in the G-SHOCK line in Harvey Nichols, Avenues. The new G-SHOCK MRG-G1000DC features “Akagane” (copper color) accents realized with ion plating, evoking a metal that has been used in traditional Japanese metalwork, much prized in Japan over the centuries. The new model reflects the beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The MR-G series offers the ultimate in tough watch design. It combines a sense of quality evoked by finely finished metallic elements with the distinctively solid feel of G-SHOCK, which conveys its shock-resistant performance. MR-G has gained popularity among adults who want to enjoy a G-SHOCK watch for many years to come. The new G-SHOCK MRG-G1000DC inherits the features of the model it is based on, the MRG-G1000—an advanced timekeeping system that receives both Global Positioning System (GPS) and radio wave time-calibration signals and offers Dual Dial World Time, which simultaneously displays the time in two different cities. Moreover, the new model offers a look that reflects the beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. A beautiful warm copper hue found in traditional Japanese metalwork has been used to accent the numerals, inset dials, and crown, as well as the guards that reinforce the shock-resistance of the side buttons. The copper-colored accents realized with ion plating deliver a Japanese artistic style within a tough design. The case and band have received titanium-carbide processing, and Sallaz polishing, the ultimate in polishing technology, has been used to ensure that the metallic surfaces shine beautifully for many years. As part of a pursuit of toughness, the bezel is made from Ti64, which is even harder than puretitanium, and DLC coating has been applied to the surface of the four bezel screws and to the side buttons in the 2 and 4 o'clock positions. The result is a special model that will be appreciated has timeless appeal. For more on G-Shock, visit www.gshock.com. To keep up with Harvey Nichols, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @harveynicholskuwait.

JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH HOTEL & SPA HOSTS RAMADAN GHABKA IN HONOR OF THE MEDIA COMMUNITY Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa continued its Ramadan traditions during the Holy month and offered a Ghabqa dinner for media representatives, editors, TV professionals and their families at the outdoor Al Sadu tent. The honored guests were given a taste of true Jumeirah hospitality which began with a welcome by the hotel’s General Manager, Hakan Petek. He was accompanied by Director of Business Development and Marketing, Ahmed Jarkass; Executive Assistant Manager, Food and Beverage, Mohammed Al Khatib; and the hotel’s Public Relations and Marketing team. Director of Public Relations and Communications, Carol Roncoletta, said: “We wanted to express our thanks to the efforts of the media who continuously cover events and activities that take place in Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa. During the Holy month, we seized this opportunity to reconnect with each-other and strengthen our ties.” Media representatives expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the invitation to the Al Sadu tent and relished in the extensive selection of authentic Ramadan dishes, oriental desserts, seasonal drinks and a selection of tea and Arabic coffee. Located on the lobby level, Al Sadu tent welcomed guests every evening to enjoy a warm Ramadan Ghabka set menu and offered live broadcasts of the UEFA EURO 2016 football games. Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa can be found at Al Ta’awun Street, Kuwait City. For more information, call them on 2226 9600.

THE PROMENADE'S ENTERTAINING GERGAYAN RAMADAN ACTIVITIES As part of its cultural calendar, Promenade Culture Centre lived up to its mission of promoting cultural self-expression with traditional Gergayan rejoicings packed with activities for kids. The 3-day event took place in different venues inside the Promenade including the Culture Centre in the second floor and the Promenade ice rink on the first floor on 19th, 20th and 21st June. With surprises ready for everyone and special treat for the best dressed children in Kuwaiti costume, this was a great occasion for kids to learn about Kuwait tradition and customs during Ramadan in addition to learning the concept of giving at an early age. It was also an opportunity to reward children and spread happiness and warmth during the Holy Month. Highlights of the entertaining Ramadan event included a Puppet Show in Arabic. Parents also had the pleasure of watching the attentive faces of their children during the ‘Hababa’ story telling sessions. As a special surprise there was also a captivating Gergayan show on the ice rink. The shows were accompanied by lively, traditional Gergayan music and a live skating performance by World Champion Figure Skater, Coach Leia at Promenade Ice on the 1st floor. This was a great opportunity for kids to enjoy the thrills and spills of ice skating. Follow The Promenade on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thepromenadekw.

‫قصة " نحن ال منلك يشء"‬ ‫بقلم عبدالعزيز الحشاش‬

‫قصة كتبتها منذ زمن طويل ‪ ..‬كان يفرتض أن تكون للصغار ‪ ..‬و لكنني‬ ‫اكتشتفت أنها تصلح للكبري قبل الصغري ‪ ..‬دعونا نقرأها معا ‪:‬‬ ‫عندما قرر والد عبدالله و ريم أن يعاقبهام كان يفكر يف عقاب ذو فائدة‪،‬‬ ‫عقاب يتعلامن من خالله درسا ‪.‬‬ ‫كان عبدالله و أخته ريم ميلكان كل يشء‪ ،‬فوالدهام رجل ثري و ميلك الكثري من‬ ‫املال‪ ،‬و كان يشرتي كل يشء يتمناه أبناءه ‪ .‬فاشرتى لهام الهواتف املتحركة و أجهزة‬ ‫الكمبيوتر و اآليباد و األلعاب و كل يشء ‪ .‬و لكنهام كانا يهمالن هذه األشياء الثمينة‬ ‫التي يشرتيها والدهام فكانا يلعبان فيها ثم يرمياها دون مباالة ‪.‬‬ ‫و كان والدهام يتضايق كثريا من ترصفهام الغري مبايل‪ ،‬لذلك فكر يف طريقة‬ ‫يستطيع من خاللها أن يجعل أبناءه يشعران باملسئولية‪ ،‬و بقيمة األشياء التي‬ ‫ميتلكاها ‪ .‬فقرر يف يوم من األيام أن يأخذ أبناءه إىل دور الرعاية التي تحتوي‬ ‫عىل أكرث من دار ترعى و تأوي املسنني و ذوي اإلحتياجات الخاصة و األيتام‪.‬‬ ‫فذهب األب يف بداية الرحلة إىل دار األيتام و جعل أبناءه عبدالله و ريم‬ ‫يتجوالن يف تلك الدار التي تحتوي عىل غرف كثرية‪ ،‬و يتشارك يف هذه الغرف‬ ‫مجموعة من األطفال األيتام‪ ،‬الذين ميلكون القليل من املقتنيات‪ ،‬و يتشاركون‬ ‫يف القليل من األلعاب و األغراض املدرسية مثل األقالم و األلوان و غريها من‬ ‫األغراض ‪ .‬و يتشاركون يف عدد معني من أجهزة الكمبيوتر و ال ميلكون جهاز‬

‫آيباد أو تلفونات متحركة ‪ .‬و األهم من هذا كله أنهم مل يكن لديهم أب أو أم‬ ‫يعطونهم من حنانهم و يوفرون لهم كل ما يريدون ‪.‬‬ ‫شعر عبدالله و ريم بالحزن ألجل األيتام و قال لهام والدهام ‪ :‬تخيال لو أنكام‬ ‫ستفقداننا انا و والدتكم و أنكام ستعيشان هنا ‪ ،‬فامذا ستفعالن؟ و ستحرمان من‬ ‫كل األشياء الجميلة التي اشرتيناها من أجلكام ‪ .‬فحزنا كثريا و شعرا بالذنب ‪.‬‬ ‫ثم كانت املحطة التالية يف دار رعاية ذوي اإلحتياجات الخاصة حيث يعيش‬ ‫هناك العديد من األطفال والكبار من ذوي اإلحتياجات الخاصة الذين‬ ‫يحتاجون رعاية خاصة ‪ .‬و مبجرد إن دخال عبدالله و ريم إىل هذه الدار تأثرا‬ ‫كثريا و حزنا من أجل املعاقني الذين ال حول لهم وال قوة ‪ .‬فقال لهم والدهم‪:‬‬ ‫أرأيتم كيف أن صحة اإلنسان أهم من الكامليات و األشياء التي متلكونها ؟‬ ‫أرأيتم كيف أن اإلنسان يجب إن يكون حامدا لربه و شكورا عىل كل النعم‬ ‫التي أعطاه إياها ؟‬ ‫فاقتنعا عبدالله و ريم بكالم والدهام و بدأت الغشاوة تنزاح عن أعينهام و‬ ‫أصبحا ينظران للحياة بشكل مختلف ‪.‬‬ ‫و لكن الرحلة مل تنتهي و كان البد لألب أن يتوقف يف محطة أخرية و هي‬ ‫دار رعاية املسنني‪ ،‬حيث أخذ عبدالله و ريم يف جولة إذ شاهدوا العديد من‬ ‫كبار السن الذين تخلوا عنهم أبناءهم أو مل يبقى لهم أحد من أهلهم حيث‬

‫يعيشون يف هذه الدار بعيدا عن أحبابهم‪ ،‬فقال األب ألبنائه‪ :‬أرأيتم يا أحبايب‬ ‫كيف تكون نهاية بعض البرش يف هذه الحياة؟ البعض منهم لألسف عندما‬ ‫يكرب ال يجد من يهتم ألمره و الجميع يتخىل عنه‪ ،‬فال يجد مكان يأويه غري‬ ‫هذا املكان‪ ،‬و ال أقىس عىل اإلنسان عندما يكرب و يشيخ من أن يعتني به‬ ‫األغراب و أن ال يجد قريب أو حبيب يهتم به ‪.‬‬ ‫و هذه كانت نهاية الرحلة يا أبنايئ‪ ،‬و العربة من ورائها هي أن نتذكر دامئا أننا‬ ‫ال منلك شيئا يف هذه الحياة و كل يشء زائل‪ ،‬جميعنا فقراء و جميعنا نحتاج‬ ‫للرعاية والحب و اإلهتامم و الصحة ‪ ..‬و قبل هذا كله نحتاج رضا الله علينا‪،‬‬ ‫و حتى ننال رضا الله يجب أن نرضيه بأداء الفروض التي أمرنا بها‪ ،‬و أن ال‬ ‫نرسف و ال نبذر و أن نعطي لآلخرين مثلام أعطانا الله و أنعم علينا بنعمه ‪.‬‬ ‫فتعلام عبدالله و ريم دروسا مهمة من هذه الرحلة‪ ،‬و تغريت نظرتهم للحياة‬ ‫و أصبحوا يقدرون كل يشء ميلكونه ‪.‬‬ ‫و يف اليوم التايل طلب عبدالله و ريم من والدهام أن يسجلهام يف أحد الجمعيات‬ ‫التطوعية‪ ،‬و التي تقوم بزيارات دامئة إىل دور الرعاية االجتامعية‪ ،‬و أصبح عبدالله‬ ‫و ريم دامئي التواصل مع األيتام و املعاقني و املسنني‪ ،‬و يف كل شهر يجمعوا الثياب‬ ‫و األلعاب و األغراض التي ال يحتاجونها و يذهبوا للتربع بها لدار األيتام ‪ .‬و هكذا‬ ‫أصبح عبدالله و ريم من أنشط األطفال املتطوعني لخدمة مجتمعهم و وطنهم ‪.‬‬ ‫‪88‬‬

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bazaar around town

LG SHOWCASES LATEST IT SOLUTIONS IN KUWAIT LG Electronics and Al Babtain Electronics organized a seminar with the aim to showcase the latest LG – IT products for Kuwait market. The event took place at The Millennium Hotel, where VIP customers and guests were able to witness the latest LG IT communications and display solutions, including the inauguration of world’s lightest UltraBook LG PC Gram, UltraWide Monitors Line up, and LG Minibeam Projectors series. The event was divided into two sessions. Morning session carried details and presentations to LG authorized dealers and partners. There was an award ceremony for top performances in selling LG – IT products as well. While the evening session was exclusive for Chairman’s Club Customers of LG and Al Babtain Electronics to witness the new line up of LG – IT Products. His Excellency, Mr. Yoo Yeonchur, Ambassador to the Embassy of Korea in Kuwait, addressed the audience. The LG gram series provides users with the portability of a slim, lightweight laptop design without sacrificing performance, speed or access to a plethora of connectivity options. It supports the latest standards for connectivity, including Wi-Fi, Screen Sharing and Bluetooth wireless technology, along with extra ports for USB Type – C, USB 3.0, a micro-USB and micro-SD card slot. It also comes with a built-in HDMI port, which is uncommon among laptops of this size, which generally require HDMI adaptors. LG’s flagship 21:9 UltraWide Curved IPS LED Monitor is a complete monitor solution, equally suited to the needs of professional users and home entertainment enthusiasts with extra screen real estate so users can get more done in less time. By adding a gentle curve to a 21:9 aspect ratio monitor, LG has created a unique product that delivers a more immersive experience. LG’s Minibeam series (models PH550, PW1000 and PW1500) have the distinction of featuring both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for unparalleled freedom and viewing convenience. And improving on the one-hand grip design of previous Minibeam projectors, LG’s new 2016 models have been slimmed down even further for easier portability and convenience. For more information, visit: www.lge.com/ae or call +974 4005 4720.

DOUBLE YOUR SALARY WITH ABK'S WEEKLY DRAWS Get KD 100 upon transferring your salary to ABK and be one of the lucky winners to double up! Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) recently announced its new and exciting promotion that gives existing and new customers the chance to double their salaries on a weekly basis. The promotion started on May 1, 2016 and will run until September 30, 2016. New customers who transfer their salary to ABK will receive KD 100 and will automatically be entered into the weekly draws to double their salaries. Existing customers will be entered into a separate draw. Commenting on this promotion, Stewart Lockie, General Manager, Retail Banking at ABK said, “We are very excited to engage customers in this new promotion, rewarding both new and existing customers. Research highlighted that our customers want a simple promotion with a high frequency of draws and a high probability of winning. The campaign is a direct response to this feedback. ABK continuously seeks to reward its customers with differentiated services and added value, and we will further enhance our products and services in line with our ‘Simpler Banking’ strategy.” For more information, please visit eahli.com or contact an ABK customer service agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899 899.

ROYAL BRITANNIA KINDERGARTEN ON A “MAGIC CARPET” TO SPAIN Within the frame of Spanish cultural week, under the patronage of Mrs Carmen Saenz de Tejada, wife of HE Spanish Ambassador to Kuwait, Royal Britannia Kindergarten (RBK), located in Al Seddiq, organized a “Magic Carpet” event led by its founder Dr Hanan Al Mutawa to celebrate an exciting virtual trip to Spain guided by Mrs Saenz de Tejada. The students at RBK learned a lot about Spain, its most important cities, and the unique cultural heritage it offers. Mrs Saenz de Tejada displayed the various musical instruments used in the folk music and the famous Flamenco dance such as guitar and castanets and introduced the children to the pretty flamenco dresses and accessories. She also prepared handmade croquettes for a delicious taste of Spain with mini flags on top. Parents and guests, along with Dr Masouma Al Mubarak and Mrs Vittoria Detaille, wife of HE Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait, enjoyed Mrs De Tejada’s exciting style in telling stories and facts about Spain. The event took place in one of the homerooms, beautifully decorated by handmade flowers, fans, flags, piñatas and guitars designed and crafted by teachers and students at RBK especially for this event. Check out the RBK website for more information on their services: www.rbk.education.

‫ لكرة القدم‬% 80 ‫"طيبة" يرعى بطولة السيدات‬ ‫ الرائد يف مجال تقديم الخدمات الطبية والعالجية املتميزة يف‬،‫ أعلن مستشفى طيبة‬،‫انطالقاً من اسرتاتيجيته للمسؤولية املجتمعية وسياسته املستدامة لدعم القطاع الصحي واألنشطة الرياضية‬ .‫ املبادرة األوىل من نوعها يف الكويت‬،‫ للمبادرات املجتمعية الرياضية‬%80 ‫ عن رعايته لبطولة كرة القدم للسيدات التي تنظمها مجموعة‬،‫الكويت‬ ‫ لنرش الوعي‬،‫ الحدث الذي يقام خالل شهر رمضان الكريم‬،‫ حرصت "طيبة" عىل ان يكون لها مشاركة فعالة يف دورة مثانني يف املئة لكرة القدم للسيدات‬،‫ويف إطار دعمها للرياضات النسائية‬ .‫ وتأكيدا ً إلمكانيات النساء الرياضية وشعبية كرة القدم لديهم‬،‫حول أسلوب حياة أفضل وأكرث صحة للجميع باإلضافة إىل مساعدة تحسني منط حياة املرأة العربية والكويتية يف املجتمع ككل‬ ‫ "نسعى دامئاً من اجل تبني ورعاية الفعاليات التي من شانها دعم صحة االفراد وتشجعهم عىل املامرسات‬:‫ قال نائب الرئيس التنفيذي يف مستشفى طيبة السيد راشد الفضالة‬،‫وبهذه املناسبة‬ ‫ "تأيت‬:‫ وأضاف‬."‫ ويف نفس الوقت لتشجيع الرياضيات من الشابات وتحفيزهم عىل النجاح يف املجال الريايض‬،ً ‫ مبا يقي من أمراض السمنة املفرطة التي نشهدها بني نساء الكويت تحديدا‬،‫الصحية‬ ‫ وأوضح انه انطالقا‬."‫ لتؤكد التزامنا املتواصل بالتشجيع عىل مامرسة الرياضة ملا لها أثر ايجايب عىل الصحة والوقاية من االمراض‬،‫رعاية طيبة لهذه البطولة والتي تتزامن مع شهر رمضان الكريم‬ ‫ وأشار اىل ان مستشفى طيبة يؤمن‬.‫من اسرتاتيجيته للمسؤولية املجتمعية املتعلقة بتشجيع األنشطة الرياضية واملحافظة عىل الصحة تعودنا عىل تنظيم واملشاركة ورعاية الفعاليات املختلفة‬ ‫ ويحرص عىل تعزيز جهوده من أجل نرش الوعي حول أسلوب حياة أفضل وأكرث صحة للجميع باإلضافة إىل مساعدة تحسني منط حياة املرأة العربية‬،‫مبواهب املرأة والفرق الرياضية النسائية‬ .‫والكويتية يف املجتمع ككل‬

TRAMPO EXTRME LAUNCHES 35,000 SQUARE FEET PARK AT MUROUJ Trampo Extreme has announced the opening of its premier sporting, leisure and entertainment park in Murouj. Located near the Sahara Club, this indoor park caters to both children and adults alike. With an area of 35,000 square feet, Trampo Extreme takes entertainment to the next level through various exciting activities that are new to Kuwait. At Trampo Extreme, one gets to Jump, Climb, Zip, Leap, Skate ‘n Ride in the most exhilarating ways possible, regardless of one’s age. Trampo Extreme features the Jump, a 10,000 square feet stretch of connected and angled trampolines that offer adventure seekers age 3 and above, an opportunity to jump and have a great time. The Climb, yet another attraction of the park, is an array of tall colorful climbing walls for the climbing enthusiasts. The next feature, Zip, includes maneuvering one’s way across ropes and ladders on the Sky Trail, followed by a thrilling ride on the Zip Line at the end. For the brave hearted, Trampo Extreme also offers the Leap. This activity allows one to climb all the way up to the High Ledge, take a leap of faith off the ledge, and grab the Giant Sausage. If that’s not enough, the Drop is bound to take your breath away as you descend from a height into a slurry of balloons, all in a fraction of a second. Trampo Extreme also houses Skate ‘n Ride, the largest indoor skate park of its kind in Kuwait, much to the excitement of adrenaline enthusiasts such as BMX riders, skateboarders and roller skaters. Skate ‘n Ride caters to energy enthusiasts of all skill levels. The beginners can get started at Skate ‘n Ride Junior which includes the Chill Out Zone and Snake Trail. This section is designed for moderate activity and easy maneuvering before proceeding to the more intensive activities. For intermediate to advanced level riders, there is the Skate n’ Ride Pro that offers the Fly ‘n Dive and Fast Lane. For other information and online booking, visit www.trampo.com. Follow @TrampoKuwait on Instagram, @TrampoOfficial on Snapchat and @Trampo on Facebook. For customer enquiries, contact 9414 4939.

bookworms

READING KNOWS NO BOUNDS Through all of time and space By bazaar staff

It’s finally summer and vacations are right around the corner! Countdowns have begun, pack-lists have been created and tickets booked – this is truly the most wonderful time of the year. There’s nothing quite like exploring a new destination, finding incredible indie bookshops or curling up with a good book by the beach. I generally relish the thought of going on a book excursion in a new city and tend to leave the country with very little reading material (it gives me room for more books to pack!). For those of you staying here for the holiday – or looking for a recommendation to find when you travel – I’ve got you covered. Let the summer reading list begin with the books I just recently got my hands on. The first one came to me in the form of a PDF, so check out Amazon, and you’ll be able to find a copy there! I couldn’t help but be intrigued when author C.M Loren emailed with news about her debut self-published title. A young adult title, Blackwell Manor is full of intrigue, mystery and magical adventure. Set in Wales, and revolving around ancient Welsh legends, this book takes you on a journey through historical lore. Following sort-of-orphaned Finley and Brenna Ashton, the story starts as they “lose” their parents, move to an orphanage, stay with guardians and end up in the deep dark world that is Blackwell Manor. This next one takes the infamous writer and poet, king of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe, to London where he tries to make sense of an inheritance and the life his grandparents led. A murder/mystery, the story takes the dreadful tales of slasher-mayhem unleashed in the streets of London in the 1800s. The culprit – dubbed as the London Monster – seems to be related to Poe as him and his detective friend attempt to solve the mystery. And in true Poe manner, with the intonation ‘something wicked this way comes’ there’s a sinister air brewing underneath. Author Karen Lee Street has combined this tale with a fitting, yet, unlikely character, giving us the brilliantly dark Edgar Allan Poe and the London Monster. The final book suggestion comes from the author of the YA Stoneheart trilogy, Charlie Fletcher. Known as The Oversight trilogy, this engrossing Dickensian-esque fantastic that brings dark magic into the adult realm follows The Oversight organization’s battle to protect our world. Set in Victorian London, The Oversight starts when a girl is kidnapped and taken to the organization’s headquarters. The first installment in an ongoing trilogy (book two is out and book three is in the works), this adventure epic takes us on a historical tour of London mixed with brilliant fictional aspects. If you’re heading to London this summer, make sure to have this book with you to give yourself the ultimate fantasy walking tour! Read on and prosper – or something to that effect! And remember, sunscreen is just as important as a good read when out and about. Happy reading, and more importantly, happy summer! 92

SBX

bazaar around town

FANTASY WORLD UNVEILS ‘THE EDGE’ DEPARTMENT IN ITS AL RAI STORE Fantasy World announced the launch of The Edge Department at its Al Rai store. The Edge stands for Eclectic Designer Gifting Excitements, it is the hub for the most innovative and unique gifting items targeted for adults. Fantasy World is known to be a trendsetter and market leader due to the international product range it offers. The Al Rai store has a sentimental value to many customers. Upon entering the store customers will experience a feeling of nostalgia. Over the past 20 years, the children that had been shopping for their favorite toys can now come to the very same store and shop as adults in Fantasy World’s The Edge department, still experience the same excitement while shopping around for the most unique gifting ideas available. Yousuf Anabtawi, Fantasy World’s Social Media Specialist, commented, “Products offered in this division are very unique, some are designer-made products, some technological-wonders, and some state of the art, they allow the gift-giver to be remembered by the uniqueness of the product they have chosen. The Edge products are hand-picked from around the world keeping in mind the tastes of Kuwait.” Speaking of products, The Edge has some distinctive products like the CTX Virtual Keyboard and the FoneBud. CTX Virtual Keyboard is one of the most innovative products available. It projects a laser beam keyboard on any flat surface to transform it into an instant workstation for your mobile. The laser keyboard can be easily connected to any smartphone, enabling the user to text at a faster rate on WhatsApp, blogs, email and social media channels. The FoneBud is a Bluetooth device that aims to prevent individuals from placing their phones directly against their head. This product has a multi-functional purpose as it incorporates a power bank, remote for the mobile device camera, LED-light and an audible range detector in case an individual loses his/her phone. Visit Fantasy World’s Al Rai store for more about new product releases featured in The Edge Department. You can also visit any of Fantasy World’s social media platforms, Facebook: fantasyworldtoyskuwait, Instagram @fantasyworldtoys and YouTube: fantasyworld Kuwait.

AL KOUT CELEBRATES EID AL FITR WITH A RANGE OF FESTIVITIES This Eid Al Fitr, Al Kout Mall celebrates this joyous occasion in a vibrant and exciting family atmosphere with all its shoppers and visitors. From July 7th to the 9th, Al Kout will be hosting a variety of family geared activities and entertainment shows throughout the mall, as part of its regular efforts to mark all important occasions with unique and fun packed leisure activities. The event will feature a comical ventriloquist show, a magic show to entertain both kids and adults, as well as a variety of kids’ activities, competitions and characters. A Karaoke band will also draw out talents from the crowd and encourage them to sing both latest hits and classical tunes loved by all. And in the spirit of gift-giving associated with Eid, Al Kout will be giving away 100 free gifts per day to its visitors throughout the different competitions and activities, with prizes ranging from tablets to gift and shopping vouchers from the mall stores. You can visit Al Kout Mall at Salem Sabah Al Salem Al Sabah St, Fahaheel, or call them for information on 2393 0101.

ELEVATION BURGER AT ALSEIF STRIP Good news! Elevation Burger is now open in AlSeif strip, opposite Gulf Road and AlSeif Palace for a soft opening phase. It is always good to have more locations to enjoy a good grass-fed-organic Elevation Burger. For the soon to be announced grand opening, Elevation Burger has some few surprises for its customers. Elevation Burger will expand their menu items and are considering introducing a breakfast menu in collaboration with local Kuwaiti chefs. Also, the AlSeif location will stay open for longer hours until 4 a.m., and is said to have different community activities such as music nights and art activities, all planned for October until April next year. Upon visiting, you will immediately notice how different this location is from other Elevation Burger locations. Designed by local Kuwaiti architect, engineer Abdulaziz AlHumaidhi, it was inspired by the AlSeif area’s historic buildings and Sadu prints; the interior echoes with its surrounding hip neighbors. Outside, you will find a carefully landscaped outdoor area which is great for people to hang out in. And this all comes from the Elevation Burger team's belief in supporting community development and constructing innovative ideas. #ElevateAlSeif Find out more about Elevation Burger by following them on Twitter and Instagram @elevationkw, or visiting their website www.elevationburger.com.

VOLKSWAGEN BEHBEHANI MOTORS AWARDED “BEST USED CAR BUSINESS FOR 2015” Volkswagen Behbehani Motors was recently awarded as the “Best Used Car Business for 2015” after coming in first place in the sales challenge for pre-owned cars amongst dealerships across the Middle East and Levant. Volkswagen Behbehani Motors has been regimented in implementing Volkswagen’s global initiative to provide guaranteed used cars, Das WeltAuto which provides customers with the same exceptional level of experience as a new car customer, giving one complete confidence and peace of mind.The Das WeltAuto programme carries out 132 multipoint checks by trained technicians through a thorough workshop and test drive inspection of every used car before it officially certifies a car as a Das WeltAuto car. All Volkswagen DasWelt used cars come with a Certificate of Quality and at least a 12-month Volkswagen warranty. It is worth mentioning that Volkswagen Behbehani Motors is operated by Behbehani Motors Company (BMC), which was established by the late Mr. Morad Yousef Behbehani in 1956 and has been the sole distributor for Volkswagen cars in Kuwait, for over half a century. The award-winning center has always upheld their mission to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction, thus investing in excellent infrastructure in the Volkswagen showrooms and service center as well as in highly trained professional staff who will not only meet, but exceed our customers' expectations. For more information please visit www.volkswagen.com.kw.

GET READY TO TRAVEL WITH X-CITE With the beginning of the summer season, X-cite by Alghanim Electronics is offering its amazing array of travel items including cameras, mobile phones, chargers, tablets, drones and accessories. Before you embark on your next vacation, check out their essential travel selection offers that will run from June 24 until August 7, 2016. From the moment you reach the airport, step into your own world with the best noise cancelling headphones with Bose’s QC25 or Sennheiser’s Momentum 2.0. If you are heading to a beach destination, you can listen to your favorite tunes with the new Beats Pill or the water resistant JBL Flip 10. Stay connected with your loved ones with the latest Huawei P9+, HTC 10 or the iPhone SE without ever running out of battery with their selection of universal adapters and power banks. Let your memories last forever with the Canon 1300 DSLR, or capture the best views with the latest LG and Ricoh Theta S 360 degree view cameras or DJI Phantom and 3DR drones. Get ready to pack your bags with X-cite’s travel products and amazing bundle deals including bag packs, selfie sticks and phone covers before takeoff. Visit any of their 18 showrooms spread across Kuwait with three showrooms offering a 24/7 shopping service at Al-Rai, Al-Fahaheel and Hawalli. You can also shop without leaving the comfort of your home, with X-cite’s free-to-download app as well as the store’s official website www.xcite.com. To stay updated on latest product launches, monthly promotions and offers, subscribe to the daily newsletter on xcite.com or follow X-cite’s social media channels: Facebook.com/XcitebyAlGhanim, or Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter @xcitealghanim, and youtube.com/xcitealghanim.

THE ART OF CAN EXHIBITION OPENS AT 360 AND ANNOUNCES TOP WINNERS During Ramadan nights, Kuwait has witnessed an extraordinary event as a great line of colorful, eye-catching and creative artworks marked the opening of the Art of Can Exhibition by Red Bull at 360 mall. The awaited exhibition revealed more than 55 physical and digital artworks as the gallery opened its doors for VIP invitees and announced the winners during that night. The art pieces depicted the talent and artistry of the participants, along with their incredible skills in creating a unique piece of art where the Red Bull can is its sole point of inspiration. From the physical artworks category, the first place winner is participant Mohammed Maya who was awarded 1000 K.D for his artwork “The Impact” – a statue of a man depicting the impact of the energy drink “Red Bull”. the artwork took Mohammed Maya six weeks of hard work and focus and the outcome was absolutely worthwhile. The second place winner was participant Omar Al Hamad who won 750 K.D for his antiquated car with touches that made it look rusty and vintage. The third place went to participant Huda Jassim who won 500 K.D for artwork that was no less creative or insightful as the other two winners. Her art piece was not only well designed but also rich in concept as it portrayed a woman’s face where each part connected to a large blue frame, which she named “Pieces of Me”. As for the digital category, the first winner announced was Aisha Burahma, who received 1000 K.D for a unique digital artwork that starts as a sketch of a can with wings then turns into a real can of Red Bull. This year, a new category was featured; in addition to the physical art, the digital displayed art was introduced to the competition for the first time. The digital displayed art could be a work of art that can be displayed on a screen and should include a digital version of the Red Bull can in the final piece and submissions could take the form of an animation, a digital short film, stop motion, or GIF. The primary material/inspiration was be a Red Bull can, but plenty of imagination and creativity was necessary too. The exhibition continued to receive guests and art enthusiasts until 25th June at 360 Mall. For more information on Red Bull, their products and many events, visit www.redbull.com/mea.

bazaar scopes

LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22

TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20

Do you have a big home project planned? Enlisting the help of friends could cut the work time in half. Just be sure you give detailed instructions or you might not get the result you want. And don’t forget to reward these friends. A look towards the future gives you reason to smile.

Unforeseen interruptions will keep you from your original agenda this month. It will be especially frustrating because you will probably have no control over the situation. Good news comes late in the month.

SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22

An unexpected show of emotion from a work associate will take you by surprise. You’ll see a completely different side of this person. What seems like a wild goose chase early in the month could lead to an opportunity later on. You’ll feel that it was “meant to be.”

A series of mishaps could delay plans. If you’re in a new relationship, this could be a tricky time. Keep things at a slow pace or the object of your affections could get scared away. This is especially true with Leo. A reminder of your past comes late in the month.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 21 A series of mishaps could delay plans. If you’re in a new relationship, this could be a tricky time. Keep things at a slow pace or the object of your affections could get scared away. This is especially true with Leo. A reminder of your past comes late in the month.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19 Take a stand now or you’ll be taken advantage of. Your willingness to please needs to be curbed especially when it comes to business. In matters of love, you could be in for a pleasant surprise. When a friend secretly confides in you later in the month, be sure to listen well with both ears.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21

LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22 Don’t let insecurities get in the way of opportunity. Believe in yourself and others will, too. A down-andout friend will come to you with a problem. Don’t be afraid to give honest advice. It may hurt at first, but (s)he will appreciate it in the long run. The mail brings good news.

VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22 A dream you have will help you figure out an answer to an ongoing problem. Midmonth, you could be faced with a confrontation in the workplace. Don’t back down – especially when dealing with authority figures. New romance is a big possibility this month.

CANCER

JUN 22 – JUL 22 Out of town visitors brighten the time ahead. You’ll have fun playing host and tour guide. An upcoming celebration this month gives you an excuse to splurge a little. A relationship you form now could hold important meaning in the years to come. You may need to be patient with an irritable Libra.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18 A spur-of-the-moment night out will set a relaxing tone for the rest of the month. You’ll pledge to take life less seriously. News of a friend’s good fortune will provide inspiration. A Scorpio’s actions will effect you in some way later in the month. Keep a tight hold on finances.

PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 20 Don’t back down if you feel strongly about an issue. Even if you’re not the most articulate debater, you’ll get your point across with pure passion. Some-thing that started as a temporary situation will turn permanent. A heart-to-heart discussion makes the month more meaningful.

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 19 Trying to manipulate others to get your own way will only backfire – especially when it comes to family. Instead, try a straightforward approach. You’ll see that it’s much more effective. If changes are going on in the workplace, this may be the opportunity to advance. www.bluffton.com 96

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