Wanette
Wannetes is the Kuwaiti word for the ubiqitious pick up truck that you find driving around in Kuwait and in the Arabian peninsula in general.
There are different wannetes available on the streets of Kuwait, some are privately owned, others belong to one of the assorted companies in Kuwait. The company's logo will clearly be marked on the side. Other Wanettes belong to Kuwaiti individuals and have funky colors and customized exteriors with stickers and writings advertising the owner's taste and inclinations.
Kuwaiti Wanette - Funky Colors - Extreme Customization - Obligatory Markings / Sticker
Wanette drivers come in all shapes and sizes also. The driver could have a chremba meaning he is of Arab origin or Persian origin. There are Indian drivers that can be identified by their dark complexion, and red lips and at regular intervals would be spitting a red stream. Do not be alarmed when you see this, the indian driver does not have tuberculosis, bronchitis or a new lung disease. He is most probably chewing ban which is a minor narcotic chewed by the different indian populace in Kuwait. The side effect of it is a feel good buzz, red spit and orange tongue.
Indian Driver and Passenger
You will find drivers that are fully dressed in traditional Kuwaiti dress being a white guhtra, black iqal and dishdasha, all clean and properly starched and pressed. Extremely sakba. Don't be fooled, the driver is not Kuwaiti but of arabic origin and could be Syrian, Palestinian, Ahwazi or even Bidoon. The purpose of the costume is to avoid the checkpoints and road side stops initiated by our vigilant traffic police.
To ride a wanette you can stand anywhere on either side of the street and wave a Wanette down. Wannete's are very friendly and customer oriented and will stop even in the middle of the street creating minor traffic jams and bruised bumpers but do not worry, it is not your problem.
Once the Wanette stops, you have the option to sit near the driver, or in case the weather is cool and the driver smells bad, you can sit in the back of the Wanette.
Not a Wanette - Do NOT attempt to stop
Wanette drivers are not allowed by law to carry passengers for a fee but they are allowed to transport things for you and receive a fee. Some enterprising drivers will have an old fridge or used cupboard permanenetly placed in the back of the Wanette. In the unlikey event that you get stopped by the police, the quick excuse that you are transporting your fridge will be presented and you will be let off.
Rates vary between 250 fils to 1 Dinar depending on how good you are at bargaining.
Now that you know a little more about Wanettes, feel free to catch a ride. It will definitely be something to remember.
Thanks for the info. I may try it. heheheheheheh. Not.
ReplyDeleteNice post.
i have been reading blogs for a few months now and never left a comment no matter how tempted i was. some are interesting for a day others really bad, but either way it seems like this is the new fad in kuwait for everyone to have their own blog. but seriously this blog is good. its really good. i think its appealing because there arent too many "everyday problems blogs are tackling" or personal opinions that tend to be biast. i must admit i have enjoyed just about everyone one i have read. i love the "20 Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity." and will be using some of them hehe keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteYou must be kidding, right? How come we don't have that here?? I wanna!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I wonder why exactly you didn't leave comments no matter how tempted... LOL
Is it just me (and mind it, I am not even Kuwaiti or in Kuwait, and this is certainly not my blog, hehe), but does this anonymous comment sound a bit "off"?? Maybe I am just PMSing, but for some reason it bothered me.
hussa: I'm glad you liked it, even if you don't try it.
ReplyDeleteanon: thank you for your comment and I am honored that you liked my post enough to comment on it.
QC: Come over to Kuwait, you can ride Wanettes as much as you want.
I think it was a very nice and sweet comment. :-D
qatar cat :
ReplyDeletewhy would it bother u? maybe ur right i should have said "i guess no blogs really had me interested rather than tempted to comment". and yes i have read urs. nothing in my comment but praise and thanks for don vetos` blog and sense of humour so dont read into it too deeply there is no pyschoanalysis needed and there is no underlined meaning, so what maybe "off" is ur interpretation.
keep up the good work don veto :)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this? A new fetish with Wanettes. This is not your first time on this subject.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that the word Wanette comes from One-Eight, the engine size 1.8L. I actuallay thought is was short for 7ai-wanat. Because they drive like animals.
But honestly. You take something as ordinary as a wanette and turn it into an interesting subject like this. This take talent. In the same subject you speak of Ghutra and Ban and a few other things. This is really nice for an outside to read about. This makes your blog international.
Anon: always welcome,keep reading for more reviews and words of wisdom ;-)
ReplyDeletecomputerchi: welcome back back. It has been a while since I got any comments from you.
Thanks for the extra info about 1.8, I knew that but forgot to mention it. About being international, I don't know about that, Reuters and AP have not called me yet.