https://www.ipernity.com/tag/demeester/keyword/238421 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/B7/F7/325559.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/demeester/keyword/238421 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:26:30 +0000 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:26:30 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726380 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726380 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:50 +0000 2024-12-18T18:00:42+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726380"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/80/52726380.2bf40b26.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Lidia's art is fun, and much of it is interactive. She uses light and sound, inviting people to immerse themselves in her creations. This art was a game, and involved throwing art decorated tiles with velcro up against rugs. Jo and I were unfortunately beaten by the other pair of guests.<br /> <br /> Many of her rooms are decorated with astronomical and galactic themes. Glow in the dark elements come to life when the lights are turned off.</div> Interactive Art <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726380"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/80/52726380.2bf40b26.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Lidia's art is fun, and much of it is interactive. She uses light and sound, inviting people to immerse themselves in her creations. This art was a game, and involved throwing art decorated tiles with velcro up against rugs. Jo and I were unfortunately beaten by the other pair of guests.<br /> <br /> Many of her rooms are decorated with astronomical and galactic themes. Glow in the dark elements come to life when the lights are turned off.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726378 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726378 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:47 +0000 2024-12-18T16:16:12+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726378"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/78/52726378.da8677d7.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Lidia is the artist transformer who spent some 40 years covering almost the entire house, inside and out, in mirror mosaics. Italian born, but married to a Kuwaiti. Her late husband was a politically controversial artist, Khalifa Al Qattan.</div> Wonderfully Eccentric Lidia Al Qattan <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726378"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/78/52726378.da8677d7.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Lidia is the artist transformer who spent some 40 years covering almost the entire house, inside and out, in mirror mosaics. Italian born, but married to a Kuwaiti. Her late husband was a politically controversial artist, Khalifa Al Qattan.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726376 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726376 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:35 +0000 2024-12-18T12:39:15+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726376"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/76/52726376.e3c77f39.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Kuwait City.</div> The Avenues Shopping Mall <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726376"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/76/52726376.e3c77f39.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Kuwait City.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726374 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726374 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:33 +0000 2024-12-18T11:58:06+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726374"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/74/52726374.5bfc3fa2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A tank, in position, across from the house of resistance. Just days before the Gulf War ended, the tank brought an end to the siege of this building.</div> Iraqi Tank, Al Qurain <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726374"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/74/52726374.5bfc3fa2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A tank, in position, across from the house of resistance. Just days before the Gulf War ended, the tank brought an end to the siege of this building.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726372 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726372 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:29 +0000 2024-12-18T11:28:22+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726372"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/72/52726372.c45b4f81.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A small pocket of resistance was discovered here, by the Iraqi occupation forces. For hours the house was strafed and rocketed, grenades deployed, and eventually, after a tank was brought in, most of the surviving occupants were taken. Four managed to hide in a roof space to tell their stories - those who were taken prisoner did not survive.</div> Side of Al Qurain Martyrs Museum <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726372"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/72/52726372.c45b4f81.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A small pocket of resistance was discovered here, by the Iraqi occupation forces. For hours the house was strafed and rocketed, grenades deployed, and eventually, after a tank was brought in, most of the surviving occupants were taken. Four managed to hide in a roof space to tell their stories - those who were taken prisoner did not survive.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726370 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726370 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:26 +0000 2024-12-17T18:52:44+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726370"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/70/52726370.e430ecee.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> A Kuwaiti Feast <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726370"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/70/52726370.e430ecee.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726368 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726368 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:23 +0000 2024-12-17T15:27:26+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726368"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/68/52726368.64982bf8.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">As the sun went down and soft light permeated the town and its plethora of abandoned buildings, we entered the mosque, and were surprised to discover the stairwell was intact and solid. Unfortunately, the collapsed railing meant we could not venture from the door on to the small encircling balcony.</div> Climbing the Minaret <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726368"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/68/52726368.64982bf8.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">As the sun went down and soft light permeated the town and its plethora of abandoned buildings, we entered the mosque, and were surprised to discover the stairwell was intact and solid. Unfortunately, the collapsed railing meant we could not venture from the door on to the small encircling balcony.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726366 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726366 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:21 +0000 2024-12-17T14:50:41+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726366"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/66/52726366.2ed58dc0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">An apparent location for a gun fight. The brickwork around each window was pockmarked with bullet holes. Where I was standing was a bathroom, severely damaged fittings in place.</div> In the First Floor <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726366"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/66/52726366.2ed58dc0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">An apparent location for a gun fight. The brickwork around each window was pockmarked with bullet holes. Where I was standing was a bathroom, severely damaged fittings in place.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726364 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726364 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:17 +0000 2024-12-17T14:39:50+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726364"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/64/52726364.051bc588.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The abandoned and ruined market of Failaka Island, looking through to the bank building.</div> Looking Out from the Market <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726364"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/64/52726364.051bc588.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The abandoned and ruined market of Failaka Island, looking through to the bank building.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726362 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726362 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:14 +0000 2024-12-17T14:24:19+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726362"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/62/52726362.097e6f39.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> An Obvious Place to Relax <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726362"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/62/52726362.097e6f39.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726360 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726360 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:11 +0000 2024-12-17T13:52:09+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726360"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/60/52726360.21edd5ef.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">National Bank of Kuwait, Failaka Island.</div> Inside the Bank <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726360"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/60/52726360.21edd5ef.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">National Bank of Kuwait, Failaka Island.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726358 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726358 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:08 +0000 2024-12-17T13:45:12+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726358"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/58/52726358.feba794a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The National Bank of Kuwait on Failaka Island. Some reading suggests this bank never actually opened. It was allegedly due to open about the day that Iraq invaded. The story of the bank is cloudy, and what events may have led to its particular targeting are as varied as ones imagination.</div> Bullet Riddled Bank Building <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726358"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/58/52726358.feba794a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The National Bank of Kuwait on Failaka Island. Some reading suggests this bank never actually opened. It was allegedly due to open about the day that Iraq invaded. The story of the bank is cloudy, and what events may have led to its particular targeting are as varied as ones imagination.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726356 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726356 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:05 +0000 2024-12-17T13:36:32+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726356"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/56/52726356.bc3cd964.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> Some Failaka Island Residents <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726356"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/56/52726356.bc3cd964.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726354 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726354 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:13:02 +0000 2024-12-17T13:24:13+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726354"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/54/52726354.525a1a76.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">An area on Failaka Island, where abandoned military hardware from the Gulf War has been collected. One of the first pieces of Kuwaiti territory to fall to Iraq in the 1990 invasion, it has never recovered. The residents did not return, and other than some nice beaches with a resort and a small amount of tourist infrastructure, the island is fairly desolate.</div> Tank Cemetery <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726354"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/54/52726354.525a1a76.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">An area on Failaka Island, where abandoned military hardware from the Gulf War has been collected. One of the first pieces of Kuwaiti territory to fall to Iraq in the 1990 invasion, it has never recovered. The residents did not return, and other than some nice beaches with a resort and a small amount of tourist infrastructure, the island is fairly desolate.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726350 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726350 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:12:57 +0000 2024-12-16T12:49:35+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726350"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/50/52726350.21b98b6c.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The cat decided it would be tolerant. It came out from under the table to allow itself to be patted. Admittedly, the boy was not trying to hurt, taunt, or in any way upset the cat. He just wanted to play. Now the cat was obliged to play. The boy carried it around, put it on chairs. He moved it to another locale where he stopped and stroked it. Bit by bit he upped the ante. More physical and more boisterous. Eventually literally swinging the cat. All the while, the cat had an expression on, indicating it knew it could finish all the torment with one strike of the claw, yet resisting the urge for the well meaning but misguided child.</div> Regret <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726350"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/50/52726350.21b98b6c.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The cat decided it would be tolerant. It came out from under the table to allow itself to be patted. Admittedly, the boy was not trying to hurt, taunt, or in any way upset the cat. He just wanted to play. Now the cat was obliged to play. The boy carried it around, put it on chairs. He moved it to another locale where he stopped and stroked it. Bit by bit he upped the ante. More physical and more boisterous. Eventually literally swinging the cat. All the while, the cat had an expression on, indicating it knew it could finish all the torment with one strike of the claw, yet resisting the urge for the well meaning but misguided child.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726352 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726352 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:12:59 +0000 2024-12-16T16:42:39+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726352"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/52/52726352.88af1d51.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A seemingly bored security guard picked us up at various points as we wandered through the mosque. He indicated areas we may have missed, and pointed out things that may have needed a guide. He invited us to go up to the pulpit to view. We got some tea, juice, water, and snacks. A pleasant visit to this 10,000 capacity building.</div> Grand Mosque, Kuwait <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726352"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/52/52726352.88af1d51.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="111" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A seemingly bored security guard picked us up at various points as we wandered through the mosque. He indicated areas we may have missed, and pointed out things that may have needed a guide. He invited us to go up to the pulpit to view. We got some tea, juice, water, and snacks. A pleasant visit to this 10,000 capacity building.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726348 tag:ipernity.com,2024-12-19,doc-52726348 Thu, 19 Dec 2024 17:12:54 +0000 2024-12-16T12:31:01+03:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726348"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/48/52726348.86f47a37.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">After a not too strenuous time in the Souq, we stopped for tea. A smouldering container of coals ensured what was in the pot did not cool, and we must have sat there sipping for a solid hour and a half, at least.</div> Tea in Souq Mubarakiya <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/demeester">Richard And Jo Demeester</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/demeester/52726348"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/48/52726348.86f47a37.240.jpg?r2" width="111" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">After a not too strenuous time in the Souq, we stopped for tea. A smouldering container of coals ensured what was in the pot did not cool, and we must have sat there sipping for a solid hour and a half, at least.</div> Richard And Jo Demeester