Ya gotta laugh...or you cry

This is a picture of the very disgusting hole that has been in front of our apartment building since late 2009 (or maybe early 2010). It shows the k. Governments attempt to add fire hydrants to our street. A very VERY noble and necessary action. So, back in 2009/10, the hole was dug, the hydrant was placed, the necessary pipes were laid...and all was left was to hook up the water, close the hole and ta dah! As you have probably noted by now, it stayed open and stayed open and stayed open. It takes the place of at least two parking spots in front of our apartment ( a serious problem for my colleages with cars) not to mention ( but I will anyway) that it is just butt ugly!!
Last week our head maintenance person who also lives in our building, finally took matters in his own hands and shovel and filled it in. We were ecstatic !
Yesterday when we returned from school we discovered that it had been dug open with these serious barricades and tape strapped around it.
So as you can see, this is an example of why we say" you gotta laugh at Kuwait or you will cry" we are still laughing but I will admit it is through clenched teeth.

National day at school

A great chance for the students to dress up... I mean celebrate their Kuwait heritage. This weekend is celebrated along with liberation day, a time when it is very cool to be an American and still receive thanks!

Things I saw today while driving in Kuwait

Wagners do Kuwait version 2

Got to see my nephew Scottie today who is here working for the national guard. We had a great lunch AND it was his birthday too. A great surreal moment.

Getting Ready to Celebrate

This weekend is the biggest event in the Kuwait year-the celebration of liberation day and national day. Think 4th of July and then double it.

It is funny...and true

From Kuwait with love on valentines eve

If Kuwait does anything well,it is flowers and expressions of affection( at least in the gift department). For example...

Artsy fartsy

Went to an art gallery opening tonight(my first). The artwork on display was created 20 years ago as an expression of reactions to the Iraqi invasion. Very thought provoking. Although I will admit I still needed an art translator!

And for the latest news from Kuwait

You can either follow the blog written by me...OR follow the Amir on twitter

Mosque madness

Signs sign everywhere are signs

Saw these two signs today and the brought a smile.
The singing one was in the bathroom at the mall and the stop sign was near the Grand Mosque.

"dhow"n along the gulf

Today friend KR and I went on a photo safari around Kuwait. We stopped at the fish market and the dhow shipyards . It was a great day for photo ops.

Today is election day

Kuwait elections to be fair, transparent - observers vow
2/1/2012 10:23:00 PM | World News

(With photos) KUWAIT, Feb 1 (KUNA) -- A few hours before the start of the parliamentary elections, Kuwaiti and international observers vowed Wednesday to do their best to render it successful, fair and free.
In a press conference held at the 2012 Election Media Center, Ministry of Interior Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Major General Mahmoud Al-Dosari said Kuwaiti people were keen on protecting their democratic experiment.

Al-Dosari applauded His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's approval of Kuwait Transparency Society's participation in monitoring the election.

A subcommittee has been formed in cooperation with Kuwait Municipality to monitor campaigning in streets and inside polling stations, Al-Dosari disclosed.

Chairman of the Arab NGO Network for Development Ziad Abdul-Samad believes the Arab region has great potential and a lot to offer.
"We are trying to propose laws to ensure free and fair elections and to allow all to participate," he said.
He added that the monitoring team has recorded several positive points in the electoral law such as the measures that must be taken to guarantee the secrecy of voting.
Abdul-Samad added that the electoral law criminalizes electioneering in worship places, educational institutions, bribery and use of trade unions and professional associations' funds in elections campaigns.

Abdul-Samad said the age of vote in Kuwait is 21, relatively high compared with other countries whose people get the right of vote at 18.

For his part, Head of Kuwait Bar Association Khaled Al-Kandari underlined the importance of transparency of the electoral process. He added that vote counting process will be open and transparent.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Journalists Association member Waleed Al-Ahmad said the government is eager on rendering the electoral process successful and transparent through approving civil society organizations participation in monitoring it.
He noted that Kuwaiti media has played an instrumental role in enriching the political experiment.

Kuwaiti people enjoy the freedom expression but this freedom should be accompanied by responsibility and self-censorship.
He added that this is done through the exchange of experience, stressing the need to develop civil society contribution in the democratic process.

Thursday's election is the country's second in a three-year period. Kuwait had voted on seven occasions between 1991 and 2012.

There are 287 candidates running for 50 seats, including 23 women. There are 400,296 eligible voters in Kuwait.