‘Kashta’: Escape from the city hustle bustle and daily chores
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 26, (KUNA): Cracking of burning wood with billowing sparks, coffee aroma wafting from the fire place, echoes of wild animals’ howling from afar, moon light sparkling onto scattered rain droplets and hissing breeze all form picture of the Kuwaitis’ “kashta” in the desert.
Now is the high season for “kashta,” an escape from the city hustle and bustle, stressful daily chores and benzene puffing from vehicles’ exhausts.
The citizens, including whole families and youth groups, erect their tents far from residential districts to enjoy clean desert air, serenity of the place and sounds of the nature. Much of the soothing comes from the raging fire that creates lights and shadows on the tent.
“Shila hab al-barad w zanet al-nafsiah,” sang the young camper Anwar Salmeen as he pitched the tent, expressing his soothed state of mind amid the place serenity, His companions chanted after him some verses of the poet Abdulaziz bin Jarallah AlGhezzi, “el jaw rawaa wa al-mashaer hayya (the sentiments are awakened) wa al-ghaim ghatta al-daireh,” describing the pleasurable atmosphere.
The campers made coffee and tea and roasted chestnuts on the blazes while chatting, narrating delightful stories and cracking jokes, prompting intermittent laughter. And Salmeen affirmed, camping is an opportunity to be relieved of daily stressful routine; a chance to fuel the spirit and ease off.
He and his companions scour the uninhabited regions throughout Kuwait to find the proper place for the retreat.
Dusting the rugs, Khaled Al-Dosari, chattered, “we choose the best kind of coal and the best type is the Somali, that is available in Al-Shuwaikh at reasonable prices.”
Abu Saad Al-Dhafiri, an old Kuwaiti, yearned for the old time camping, where campers used to have meagre items, as compared to nowadays, where many campers choose to bring in too many items for luxury including power generators and refrigerators. He also recalled that in the old time particularly this time of the year, Kuwait used to witness biting cold.
At the tent market in Al-Rai, dealers affirmed that the business is now thriving, noting that the current high prices are the result of soaring demand at the peak of the camping season. Additionally, the seller Fahad Al-Sawagh pointed out that the unprecedented turnout at the market was the result of the camping suspension that had lasted for two years due to the coronavirus.
Preparations for the camping began two months ago, when companies started making the tents, fabrics of which are imported mainly from Pakistan and Iran.
Farid Khan, a merchant, said that the market displays newly made tents that are easy to erect. Price of a piece may fetch as high as KD 260. “Al-Shadadiya tent,” is the most favored one because it is quite suitable for Kuwait weather, he added.