An Englishman Abroad

It's been another week full of parent's evenings so I've been very quiet again. Made up for it this weekend though, spent most of Friday walking the length and breadth of North Kuwait, then today did a 5k run to the beach, swam, sunbathed then walked back. Over the course of the last couple of days I've seen lots of wonderful things and buildings that I've shared below. I've also found some more great little coffee houses and restaurants. So I started yesterday walking to Al Shaheed Park, I've shared some photos from the evening there a couple of weeks ago, but during the day it is equally both stunning and tranquil. En route there I got some photos from the car park of the Al Othman Museum, where they have a few tanks and jets parked (as you do!), remnants from the 1990 invasion. I also found miniature models of Old Kuwait and New Kuwait in the park- missed them last time. I then walked to the very north coast of Kuwait City where looking out to sea ...

Ok, so you've guessed by the title of this post that I'm a few days late in posting. Nevertheless, on Friday I went to the eponymously titled market. It's so big that no matter where you are in the country, if you get in a cab and say 'Friday Market' they know exactly where you mean. It's clearly evolved from some very traditional Middle Eastern market from years gone by, but still retains the charm of it's assumed original form, and the choice? My word, the choice!! There was very little that I didn't see for sale, it was vast and incredibly well organised. Where once were (I again assume) tarpaulins and canvas canopies there are now purpose built metal canopies covering section after section, metre after metre. There is a vast array of clothes, shoes, watches, sunglasses, purses, bags, wallets, perfumes, jewellery- all famous brands and designs- most of dubious authenticity, but the most convincing fakes I've ever seen. And this is just the f...