kuwait city was...something else
kuwait city...i don't even know where to start. i just got back and my brain is still processing the heat. like, actual heat. not that "oh it's a bit warm today" heat, but the kind that makes you question all your life choices.
i just checked and it's 13.7°c there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. though i gotta warn you, if you're going in summer, pack your soul along with your sunscreen because you'll need it. the kind of heat where you step outside and immediately wonder if you've been transported to the surface of the sun.
location-wise, it's sitting pretty on the northeastern shore of the arabian peninsula, right on kuwait bay. someone told me that 90% of the country's population lives in this coastal region, which makes sense because anywhere else in kuwait is just... sand. lots and lots of sand.
now about the weather - and i can't stress this enough - it's brutal in summer. we're talking average highs above 45°c for three solid months. i met this guy at a cafe who said he'd seen it hit 52°c once. fifty-two! i nearly choked on my iced coffee. and the nights? don't even get me started. it barely cools down, with nighttime temps often staying above 30°c. the humidity in august and september is just... chef's kiss. if you like feeling like you're swimming through the air, you'll love it.
winter's a different story though. mild and dry, which sounds nice until you realize "mild" still means nights can drop below 8°c and you're getting frosts. yeah, frosts. in the desert. nature's full of surprises.
historically, this place was all about pearls and trading. can you imagine? sailing around in wooden boats, diving for pearls in water that's probably warmer than your morning shower. the old town was tiny - just 5 square miles - surrounded by a mud wall. now it's all glass towers and air conditioning, which is probably for the best.
speaking of neighbors, if you get bored, iraq and saudi arabia are just a short drive away. not sure that's a selling point, but hey, options are options.
i didn't get to try much local food because i was too busy trying not to melt, but apparently there's some good stuff. someone mentioned machboos, which is basically rice with meat or fish. sounds simple but they said it's delicious. i'll take their word for it.
the shamal winds in june and july are something else too. these northwesterly winds kick up sandstorms that make the whole city look like a scene from mad max. i experienced one briefly and immediately wanted to go back to my air-conditioned room and never leave.
kuwait city is... intense. it's not the kind of place you visit for a leisurely stroll (unless you enjoy feeling like a piece of bacon in a frying pan). but there's something about it. the way it's managed to build this massive, modern city in one of the harshest climates on earth - that's impressive. the seif palace is apparently a big deal, though i mostly just admired it from the comfort of my taxi.
would i go back? maybe in winter. definitely not in july. unless you're into that whole "testing your will to live" kind of travel experience. then by all means, visit in summer. bring ice packs.
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