Monday, February 24, 2014

Al-Rawda National Day Festival

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Last year I posted about the extravagant festive lights in Al-Rawda area that are put up to celebrate the occasion of the National and Liberation days of Kuwait. After visiting Ahmadi City this past weekend I decided to pass by Al-Rawda area and see if the lights and decorations were any different this year.


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The lights are pretty much the same but to my surprise I made it there on the day of Al-Rawda festival which meant honking cars, children running around, a band playing traditional songs, people selling stuff, and plenty more lights! I wasted no time finding a parking and walking over to walk among the happy crowds.


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The weather was lovely and as I walked towards the festival I forgot that I was in Kuwait for a moment. I wonder how it feels to walk in Vegas? I’ve never been but these lights come as close what I imagine them to be. Perhaps those were tad tacky but you cannot deny how jolly they make you feel.


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The festival was held in an open area besides McDonalds, which by the way I think is the most awesome looking McDonalds in Kuwait because of its retro design. I think it was built to resemble the original McDonald’s in the USA or something but I’m not entirely sure. Anyways, the area surrounding McDonald’s had a small park of lit up figures where people where posing and taking pictures.


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This Al-Rawda co-op mascot pushing a shopping trolly was particularly popular! Everyone was taking their pictures with the happy fella.


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There was this long winding tunnel draped in a net of tiny twinkling yellow lights and dotted with big colourful light bulbs. Now tell me this isn’t lovely? I was the crazy woman with a camera who took almost half an hour to walk the length of the short tunnel! I couldn’t help myself, the lights were irresistible!


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This is my favourite picture of the twinkling lights!


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When you come out -finally- at the other end of the gorgeously lit tunnel you can are smack in the middle of the festival, the band was playing traditional Kuwaiti songs away and people were singing and clapping along.


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There were these big blown-up jumping castles where a lot of children were waiting and plenty of people selling things around, mainly Kuwait flag themed items to celebrate the National day and Liberation day.


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It was such a fun night! Everyone was happy and celebrating and I expect we’d be seeing more celebrations around Kuwait starting tomorrow or perhaps even tonight. Beware the children with the water guns however, they will be making an appearance tomorrow. Happy national and liberation day Kuwait <3






Reblog: http://ift.tt/1leDKyF

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