Kuwait,Kuwait,Don't Tell Me

Friday, February 11, 2011

I'm 18 NOW!

So who remembers what it was like to be 18? Thinking that you'd finally achieved adulthood? Thinking that you could do ANYTHING you pleased because, well, BECAUSE? Thinking that life was all about you, you, you? I know I did...and the lil apple I raised didn't fall very fall from the tree. She's an adult now (as I've been reminded at least three times this week). We raised this monster (which I say in all kindness and love); we raised this girl to be independent, fiesty, challenging, interesting. We've definately got what we deserved. I DO remember what it's like to be 18 and for that, I applaud my daughter's spirit.
Now, where's an asprin so I can deal with the headaches that come with that?
In case you're wondering what sort of awful mother would say these things about their child, this is mostly said in jest. I'm not really mad at my wonder child. Just ah shaking my head in awe. I really wouldn't have her any other way. I'm also slowly recognizing that it's pretty much out of my control. The Amazing A in Amsterdam (above) and Amman.

It's Good to Have Friends who have Friends

Today I was invited to a farewell bbq for a friend who is leaving. It was at a beautiful home with even lovelier people. It was nice to see how the other half lives and eats. I think I'm going to have a food hangover tomorrow.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait: Two Thumbs up!!

Photos and information courtesy of the Tareq Rajab museum. Tell your Kuwaiti taxidriver to take you to Jabriya, Block 12. Well worth the 2 KD charge! Plan to spend more than one hour.

The Tareq Rajab Museum houses a collection of over thirty thousand items collected over the last fifty years, of which approximately ten thousand are on permanent display. Tareq Sayed Rajab was the first Kuwaiti to be sent abroad to study art and archaeology. While a student in the United Kingdom, he met his future wife, Jehan Wellborne, who from her childhood was interested in folklore and particularly the arts and life of exotic peoples and minorities. They got married in 1955 and after their return to Kuwait; Mr. Rajab was appointed as the first Director of the Department of Antiquities and Museums of Kuwait. He resigned from his post in 1969 and together with his wife opened the New English School for Kuwaiti and foreign children. By then they were already involved in collecting material for a future Museum of their own. They travelled all over the Islamic world and beyond to Central and South-East Asia and the Far East, collecting artefacts and photographing monuments, peoples, their customs, everything they believed could be used and exhibited in a museum. As a result of their hard work and research, they were able to open the Museum to the public in 1980.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Random Sightings

So if President Obama comes to Kuwait, he'll know just where to get his hair done!
NOTE: In case I haven't mentioned it, barbershops/hair styling places are interchangeably called "Salons/Saloons". I don't laugh anymore because I know they speak English here better than I speak Arabic!

Insider's view

The Bread Man at the Iranian Bread bakery in the Old Souk. The waiter (below) insisted that I take a photo of how the bread was made. As you can see, the dough guy was more than willing to pose.

Today my friend CR and I were the only women in this part of the Old Souk restaurant around noon. The waiter, a very friendly chap, took good care of us and was willing to pose for a final shot. As CR says, "As long as we've got plastic on the table, it's a good day."
The meal included two lettuce salads, iranian bread (see above), hummus (probably the best i've had in Q8) and a wonderful lamb/rice dish.

We were also given an insider's look at how carpets were repaired when we wandered by this carpet show and watched a young man seeming to "paint" a carpet. When asked, we were told that he was "applying medicine to the carpet" (cleaning it). The owner then asked us inside his shop, which we thought FOR SURE we were going to be given the "but for you I have a special price on this carpet" speech. Instead, he wanted to make sure I also took a picture of the young man sewing on this carpet.

It was a good day to have a camera in Kuwait!!

Let the Celebrations Begin!

Cutey patootie during AIS National Sing The Anthem day a week ago. All schools in Kuwait were requested to stop all of school and sing the National Anthem of Kuwait to commemorate the beginning of the month of celebration. Not so odd if you think about the fact that many schools in the US regularily say the Pledge to Allegiance.

As you probably guessed, the colors of Kuwait's flag are red, white, green and black. You can buy ALMOST anything with these colors on it, as this pictures details.

The bigger, the better when it comes to displaying your flag.

On February 25 and 26, Kuwait is celebrating the 50th year of their Independence (from England); the 20th year of the liberation (thank you US) and the 5th year of the reign of the Emir Jaber Al-Ahmed Al -Jaber Al -Sabah. So there's a lot to be happy about!! In addition in two weeks, we will be celebrating the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) birthday (which was moved from Tuesday to Thursday in order to properly celebrate) We've been given three extra days off from school. I guess you could say it's the equivalent of celebrating 4th of July, Armistice Day, President's Day and Christmas all at once!