Home Sweet Home in Qurtuba

After a week staying in Le Meridian Hotel Kuwait, my family and I moved to our new home-sweet-home in Qurtuba. It was a four story bungalow with eight rooms and two separate kitchens - wet and dry. The stairs used for our helpers to their rooms and laundry rooms were also separated from the main stairs. There was a basement which was used as shelter during Kuwait-Iraq War. Indeed, the off-white colored room was pretty clean and complete with 'disco' lights. 

However, during our stay in that house, the basement room was left as it was and we never used it at all because we believe there were some unseen 'people' living in it! And they showed themselves to me, just before we left Kuwait for homeland after RY's tour of duty ended in Autumn 1996.

All in all, I could safely say that the home-sweet-home which we stayed peacefully for three years was more of a small mansion with fort like wall and a beautiful garden full of vegetables including tomatoes, pumpkins and kangkong. It was also a Moorish styled home where inside the big hall hanged a chandelier with approximately thirty-two bulbs. The big dome that gave extra lights via solar energy adorned the whole house. 

In the centre of the hall was a Moorish styled sunken lounge for relaxation and small parties like birthday celebrations. A small fountain made of multi-colored tiles attracted children when they came to our house. It was also surrounded by several potted plants which gave fresh air with tropical sights to the already beautiful ambience. It also acted as a small playground for my children who at that time aged three and five. RY also placed an aquarium with lots of gold fish in it. Indeed, it became a centre of attraction for the children's learning process used by their nanny each time she wanted to feed them lunch or dinner.

We also love this home which stored many beautiful memories. Many events had taken place here during our three years stay such as my first Coffee Morning to all DCM (deputy chief of mission) spouses where RY was the elected President. We also held the Eid prayer in the big hall and invited all Malaysians in Kuwait City for Eid celebrations. At one time, our house was also  chosen to be the venue for the Norwegian National Day for a few Norwegians residing in Kuwait. Other times, Kuwait TV also came and capture Life Telecast of the Malaysians Open House traditions during Eid Fitri to be shared with the locals. 

Till this day, the Qurtuba Moorish styled home means a lot to me and my family (the temporary occupants) - it not only shelters us but brought many beautiful memories to us.