Tapes?

The first car I rented in Kuwait, a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer had a tape deck.  I thought it was silly, if not a bit behind the times.  Then I was walking in the market the other day and saw an entire store dedicated to selling cassette tapes!  I have to double check at the Virgin store to see if they sell tapes as well.  I hope not.... but you never know.

In case you are curious, the car I have now has a CD player and not tape deck.

Something Important

I had a great observation to share.... and then I forgot what it was...  but now I remember.

As I was driving home tonight, taking a completely new (out of the way) path home, I ended heading down a road much like any other in the US.  There were two lanes, one in each direction, and a dotted line of paint between the two.  What made this road so special though were the 5 cars (3 facing one way and 2 the other) randomly parked in the middle of the road.  Who does this?

Oh Kuwait, you make me laugh and scare me all at the same time.  

Cricket

On Friday I was driving around a random part of town when I happened upon a Cricket match.  Men were gathered in a sandy lot (not an ideal location) having a grand time.  Every few minutes the ball would escape into the road, but that didn't seem to bother anyone.  The men were all expatriates, and likely enjoying their one day off for the week.  I have photos which will be uploaded soon.

New Orleans Re-Mix

I remember back in my early college years at Tulane there was a (in)famous drink called the shark attack. To make the drink, you to take a blue tinted alcoholic beverage and then fill a rubber shark with grenadine.  From there, the bartender inserts the shark into the drink and turns the water red.

Today I saw a different take on the shark attack.  I went to the Aquarium (which by the way is head and shoulders above the zoo) and saw a display like I've never seen before.  Two sharks started attacking each other.  Now, maybe it was play... but it sure didn't look like it.  The one had head the other in his mouth and was dragging, twisting, pulling, pushing..... you get the point.

5020

As I drive through Kuwait, I'll frequently see 5020 signs.  I just thought it might be a year count, similar to the Jewish Calendar.  It is however ad 50 and 20, and not 5020.  The 50 is to mark the 50th anniversary of Kuwait's Independence, and the 20 is to mark the anniversary of Liberation.

Knowing that, I saw a building downtown with the windows lit up to show a 50, so I drove around the other side expecting to see the 20.  No such luck.... just another 50.  Here are the pictures anyway.

Slightly Unsettling

I was working late in the office tonight when a dude with arms like tree trunks walked into my office.  I speak no arabic, he spoke no english.  I couldn't figure out what he wanted, yet he also didn't leave.  When I finally finished up and headed out I saw there was another guy there as well.

I wouldn't have been concern, except for I was given no warning ahead of time.  More to the point, I was specifically asked to leave the security gate up because someone left keys in the office and they were coming back to retrieve them later in the evening.

In the end, I think they were a painters or handy-men... but still, really... no advance warning?  Tomorrow I'll figure out 911 and how to report where I am!

PS - Mom it really wasn't too bad.  I could have left, but I stayed around and kept working.  His arms are massive though.  I'll do 20 extra push-ups tonight.

Do You Think Disney Is Collecting Royalties?

Large Mounds of Sand

I've always driven past these very large sand hills near my apartment, but never before took notice.  Today while waiting in traffic, looked over and saw a few SUV's driving over them.  This of course goet me thinking and I quickly pulled off the road, flipped the 4wd switch, hopped up the curb and off I went.

I saw one car stuck in the sand (so I avoided that area), and instead followed the Mercedes sedan.  I figured it was a safest bet....

Tomorrow I'll take some pictures.

Dodge Nitro

Goodbye to the under-powered Mitsubishi I was renting, and hello to the much more Kuwait appropriate Dodge Nitro 4x4.  I can accelerate to highway speeds without leaning my body weight forward, I can climb up curbs to avoid traffic, and more importantly the A/C works.

Now the only challenge is finding parking.  Unlike before, my choice of spots in the cramped garage is somewhat limited.  Oh well...

I'm back

Flight was uneventful.  Once again, slept through nearly the entire flight from London to Kuwait.  Had my seat actually reclined, maybe I would feel more rested.

Home Sweet Home

Arrived safely and soundly back to NYC last night and am looking forward to spending some much needed time with the family.  Mia and Jill were happy to see me (I expected at least one of the two would be)!

Look for more updates on Kuwait about a week from now.

Fishing Kuwait Style

I experienced fishing in Kuwait, and it isn't bad at all.  We headed out after work for a few hours and enjoyed the traditional approach which is: a line, 2 hooks with shrimp as bait and a weight at the bottom.  You hold the line, drop it in the water and wait until you feel a nibble.  My skills are subpar at best.  Although I caught the first fish, after that I only managed to tangle up the lines and lose my bait.

I continue to be impressed with how welcoming people in Kuwait have been.  It was a far more memorable experience than if I chartered a tourist boat.  I can't say enough nice things about the people I've met.

Annona.... aka Sugar Apple

I tried this interesting fruit today.  I'd never seen one before arriving in Kuwait.  You split it open with your hands when they are ripe and eat the pulp inside.  A bit messy, but a worthwhile experience.

You can find more info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar-apple

Filled The Tank

2.900 KD for 48.3 Liters

also known as

$10.45 for 12.7 Gallons ($0.82/Gallon)

Pictures From The Souk

I finally had a chance to get out and take some photos.  I hope you enjoy them.

At 816 Pages, It Is A Monster

All done.  Finally completed reading The Fitzgeralds & the Kennedys: An American Saga.  I think for my next book, I'll look for something a bit easier to travel with.

Tareq Rajab Museum

The Tareq Rajab Museum is listed as # 2 of 39 sights in Kuwait, and #4 of 66 things to do in Kuwait according to LonelyPlanet (link below image).  Although very nice, I would suggest there might be a bit of grade inflation going on here.  

The museum is close to my apartment, but very difficult to find.  I circled the block about a half dozen times before I snapped a photo of the sign below.  I assumed (first mistake) the arrow meant the museum would be easily identified and just down the street.  In fact there wasn't a sign I could find after this one indicating the museum was anywhere nearby.  Fortunately the 3rd person I asked was able to point me in the right direction.

When I arrived the staff were all sitting on the stoop drinking tea.  They graciously unlocked the doors of me and turned on the lights.  Not sure many people go to the museum at 10:30AM on Fridays.  I'm beginning to realize Friday AM = Do Nothing in Kuwait.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/kuwait/kuwait-city/sights/museum/tareq-rajab-museum

So yesterday for lunch I went to little ruby's which is actually an offshoot of Ruby's in NYC. Lunch by the way is at 3:00PM, and a late lunch is 5:00PM.

I don't know how people make it through the day. I'm slowly shifting to 1:00 or 1:30, but 3:00 just seems nutty!!

Here's the website for the NYC locations.
http://www.rubyscafe.us/

The Rumors Are True

People only work until 3:00PM here. I returned from a meeting to take a call and finish some work only to find the office locked.

Fortunately I had taken my car and house keys and could get home.

View From the Helipad

Panoramic from the helipad on top of a 31 story building. Don't ask how I ended up there!

I'm Stumped

What does one where to a Halloween Party in Kuwait?  That Kuwaitis celebrate a pagan holiday in a muslim country doesn't make sense.   Please offer suggestions.

Finally....

After 3 weeks "in country" the office was ready.  The decorations are sparse (there are none), but I'm really not complaining.  Best of all, I'm walking distance to the Souk (market).  Today we went there for lunch which was an experience.  I'm pretty sure there aren't any menus, but for less than 4KD (about $15 USD) we had a salad, two dishes of kabobs, fresh bread, 2 sodas and 2 bottles of water.  For Kuwait that is an absolute bargain.  To call it a restaurant might be a stretch, but the food and the atmosphere were tasty.  I would compare it to chinatown.  You know the food tastes good, but you don't ever want to see the kitchen!

Once the weather turns a little cooler, I'll be to the market more often for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Cool Bottles

Found these great little glass bottles at the store. 250ml in each, so the portions are reasonable.

Who Knew Kuwait Had A Zoo

I forgot to shut off my alarm before going to bed last night, so today started early.  I googled "things to do in kuwait" and sure enough found three great reasons to be happy I was awake at 7:00AM on a Saturday: (1) Kuwait has a Zoo, (2) The Zoo opens at 8:00AM, (3) There are primate exhibits.

So I quickly got dressed, googled mapped Kuwait to see how to get there, and hit the road.  The best way to describe the zoo is to say it aims to be everything the Bronx Zoo isn't.  It is inexpensive, unattractive, and relatively small.

Here are a few pictures.  Click "Read More" at the bottom of the post to see additional ones - especially the lady bug exhibit.