Here There and Everywhere

11 Comments »

1. expect anything in Kuwait!! howcome i’vew never heard of these guys!

   are you talking about souq mubarakiya in kuwait city?

   Comment by error | August 27, 2007 | Reply

2. Yes, at least the Souk Mubarakiyya area . . . I define Souk Mubarakiyya as the older part that includes the fish and meat market, and the Heritage Market as the remodeled place you can see on the big street. As you go down the smaller street next to the Heritage Market, just across from the Heritage Souk Afghani vendors was a shop called Hussein and Ali. They did a lot of business with xpat teachers, administrators, embassy types. Mostly they sold Pakistani and Afghani carpets.

   Comment by intlxpatr | August 27, 2007 | Reply

3. I honestly wouldn’t know. Reading your post got me thinking. I don’t go there much, I should start exploring my own country.

   Comment by N. | August 27, 2007 | Reply

4. N. – you have a fascinating country.

   In Qatar, we could go down to the Corniche and there would be an old dhow, with Christmas lights (year round) you could rent for a small feel to take you for a 30-40 minute ride along the waterfront. On a hot night, it was wonderful! Is there anything like that here?

   Comment by intlxpatr | August 28, 2007 | Reply

5. I bought many carpets from Hussain and Ali during my years in Kuwait. From what I remember they used to travel home to Afghanistan every year and the shop would be closed during that time. You might want to ask the neighboring shops such as the rug guy across the small alley way. He might know.

   Comment by carpetbuyer | September 16, 2007 | Reply

6. Good point, carpetbuyer. I don’t think I would have worried, but they took the sign down, totally down, so like there is nothing there any more that indicates it is Hussein and Ali’s, but I will ask the neighbors, good point. Thank you.

   Comment by intlxpatr | September 16, 2007 | Reply

7. It is 2012 now and your post was 2007, but I was at their shop today. They have two shops, actually. They are alive and well, I bought two Nain carpets. If you know Ali, you have heard his pidgeon stories, I am sure.
   Cheers,
   Virgil

   Comment by Virgil | February 2, 2012 | Reply

8. Thank you, Virgil. Not only have we heard the stories, we have also seen the photos of the very special pigeons! Even though I am no longer in Kuwait, I am glad to know Hussein and Ali are going strong. 🙂

   Comment by intlxpatr | February 2, 2012 | Reply

9. I had a great time there, will probably go back before I leave, I am “stuck” in Kuwait waiting for an Iraqi visa. Anyway, their younger brother Mohammad (sp?) works there now and he looks like he will be a great salesman as are the others. Advice to anyone who goes to any carpet shop (I have done a lot of carpet shopping in Istanbul on the carpet street near the Grand Bazaar, but that was 30 years ago), take your time, Arab and other Middle Eastern cultures (Afghans, Turks and Iranians are not Arabs ethnically) do business slowly, lots of conversation and tea, I have even been fed. Ali was complaining about the shop in Kabul (they have one there, too) because the westerners all want to do business too quickly. Some of that is the danger and they want to get in and out, some of it is the usual western rush to get things done. I spent a lot of time in Afghanistan and one of the biggest issues was the US military impatience with doing business. I personally like this laid back approach where you actually get to know the merchant a bit. I’d get a job here in Kuwait if I knew how to, this is actually a lovely place, if a bit hot in summer. I am adding you to my blog roll. I have some more posts on Kuwait (it is mainly a foodie blog) at http://cookingwithlittlebuddy.com Now I need to find a pigeon with lots of red in it!
   Cheers

   Comment by Virgil | February 3, 2012 | Reply

10. I’ve checked your blog, Virgil, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I appreciate that you can appreciate some of the finer cultural moments in the countries you are visiting. ‘If you have the eyes to see’ these experiences can be life enhancing as well as life changing. 🙂

    Comment by intlxpatr | February 4, 2012 | Reply

11. Hello Virgil,
    Can you please tell me where are the two shops that they have now? I am looking for old vintage carpets.
    Thanks 🙂

    Comment by Nour | November 27, 2012 | Reply

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