Kuwait City and The Souk: Mubarakiya, Al-Hamra

Today I spent a lovely afternoon in Salmiya, which reminds me a lot of NYC. Everything you can want is right around you, even frada bags and burned DVDs. And at night, wound up in Kuwait City for the first time. 

Kuwait City Souk: Mubarakiya

We went to the souk there, it's been newly renovated but is still the oldest souk in Kuwait. It's a nearly endless track of shops. You can buy ANYTHING there. Clothes, fish, fruits, watches, toys. It was great to just walk through, not shop too much since we were there at night, but just to experience it. Picture a flea market...that's what a souk is like.

Al-Hamra Tower

Driving through Kuwait City, I got a look at the Kuwait Towers, sadly no picture being that I was in a car, but I was able to get my phone out just in time to snap a few photos of the worlds tallest sculpted building. It's extremely tall, lit up in gorgeous lights that flicker. Reminds me of Atlantic City hotels, except taller.

The back of it has the sculpted portion, and the front has lights. Definitely a good sight to see at night. Apparently it's ranked 14 in the worlds tallest buildings, minus the sculpted part.

Facts about the building. It opened in 2011 with a total cost of $500 million. It is attached to a mall consisting of a 10 screen IMAX. The building has 70 floors of offices, a rooftop restaurant, and a spa.

"I'll leave Kuwait when it stops being funny"

So, I met up with a friend last night who has been here for a few years (from America as well). His decision to stay here was quite comical. His rationale was that he'd stay here until is stopped being funny. Upon further explanation, he told me about how he finds something humorous every day. Whether it be seeing a pack of camels being herded up a highway to people dancing in their cars.

I love this concept, I may have to go by it. For instance, today I saw MULTIPLE people dancing in their cars. It was further explained to me that these guys that were driving around were looking for women to flirt with! WHAT?! They drive around in cars, bobbing their heads, and they think THAT is going to get them a girlfriend? I giggled.

I find comedy in everything, which I guess is the best way to appreciate the country--especially when it comes to a point that all people do here are drink coffee, shop, walk around, drive around, and did I mention shop? I love it though, because although shopping isn't high up on my list of things I love doing, walking around and drinking coffee is. Plus, it's not what you're doing but the company you are with. I've made some pretty awesome friends here and they know how to have fun.

<--**Also, last night I took an elevator ride that consisted of buttons 1-3. There were only 2 floors. So, upon entering the elevator you choose number 2. BUT on the way back down, it's number 3. Hmmm? Spare parts elevator much?

Side note: if you want to see the fancy cars in Kuwait, they're in Kuwait City. Fahaheel, not so much.

Teacher Sweets! Birthdays, surgeries...

In Kuwait, especially amongst females, it is custom to always have sweets for any major day. Holidays, Birthdays, even after getting out of surgery. This means that the other teachers are bringing in sweets often!

Last week a teacher brought in Baklava (after having a successful surgery). Which are delicious sweets made with nuts, honey, cinnamon, sugar, and sometimes dough. They were SO yummy. Looked like I was eating a birds nest, but goodness it was tasty. Here's to trying new things!

Today was also a celebration, a birthday! We had a cake, which even that wasn't what I was used to! It was topped with grapes and kiwis. Definitely odd, but super yummy! But, the best part was again, the traditional treats that went along with it! Now, sadly, I don't remember the names of them, but they were small like the treats. They were all dough and cheese. Kind of reminded me of pizza rolls...minus the sauce. Each dough ball was a mystery though, because no one in the staff room knew what was inside. My favorite was the dough with some sort of cream cheese filling. SO GOOD.

They may have been called Warbat bil Ashta, after doing research this seemed the most similar.

They really know how to cook here. Middle Eastern food is now a close second to italian for me. YUM!

The Life of a Teacher

When most people think of a teacher they think 'oh, that's not a hard job...plus you get summer's off'. Well maybe they're right, it isn't a hard job, but it's extremely time consuming. My hours may only be 7-1, but a true teacher never stops thinking about ways to improve the class and lessons.

I come home from work, and immediately reflect on my lesson. Then I make changes to future lessons. And don't even get me started on classroom set-up, behavioral methods, rewards...it's endless. So, sure--we may get summers off, but we are working from the moment we wake up till we close our eyes at night. Even when I'm with people, I'm thinking 'that would be a good idea for class!' Shh, don't tell my friends that though.

On that note. Here are some recent picture of my classroom. It feels pretty bare right now. The furniture I've ordered hasn't arrived yet. So the after pictures will be posted later.

Driving in Kuwait: every man for himself

Before coming here I was warned to watch myself walking across the street, drivers will run my ass over. Of course I gave the 'yeah, yeah--sure they will.' No really, they will!

School Let-Out Traffic, seen from my apartment

Yes, these are ALL moving vehicles. Notice that people act as though there are NO driving laws. I've seen people pulled over. But really, they're probably just getting pulled over for a Civil ID check.

During traffic, all you hear is "beep!" "beep!" "beep!" Because people think it's faster to cut people off, drive on sidewalks, and weave through while honking their horn. Stop signs? They don't exist. Traffic lights do, but people don't give a f---! Oh yeah, and you can turn on red, any direction. Need to do a u-turn? Go ahead on make a left at the light through traffic.

No worries though, I know safe drivers and most taxi drivers are very cautious. They want to drive slow, that's how they make $$ from you.

Apartment in Kuwait

I walked into my apartment the first night and didn't even look around. I placed my things down, climbed into bed, and slept until the next afternoon. I mean, I did finally arrive at my place at 1AM. Who wouldn't do the same?

The next morning I still didn't have time to explore. I showered, dressed, and walked to my school to get a tour, accustomed, and settled a bit there. Then, on my way home (to nap) I walked into the wrong building and took the elevator up to the 7th floor. Thankfully they had a welcome mat that I didn't remember having so I realized in time. Otherwise, I would have tried my key in someone elses room.

It took a full 24 hours of me being there for me to even attempt to unpack and explore my room. But when I did, I realized how nice it was! Fully equipped with a TV, sofa, chair, table, drying rack, washer, stove, fridge, and even utensils and cooking supplies! An apartment like this, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, fully furnished in USA would go for 1,200-1,500 a month. In NYC probably $3,000-$4,000. 

Flying: Newark, Frankfurt, and KUWAIT!

Having a flight paid for I wasn't about to complain about it being a total of 22.5 hours, though I had hoped it would be the most direct, 14 hour one! 

It was a day with mixed emotions; excited, nervous, sad, happy, curious, and lucky. Of course this journey was going to be something I was thrilled to venture out and do, but at the same time I was leaving behind so many people I loved. From all of my family members, friends, and even significant others. But this was a new chapter in my life that I wasn't about to give up on.

So, my trip started at Newark Airport with checking in my luggage. I had 2 bags, fully packed. One weighing slightly over 23kg (50lbs.) and the other at a whomping 70lbs! But, the AMAZING clerk checked in both bags for FREE! What a great start! I was super prepared to pay the $150...instead, I got to cash that into dinars upon arrival. More on that later.

First plane ride. To Frankfurt Airport where I would spend a lovely TWENTY hours. Okay, I'm being overdramatic, it was 9...but still NINE HOURS! No, I was not able to leave the airport due to having to uncheck and recheck my bags. THANKFULLY, frankfurt is practically a mini-mall/casino. Yes, a CASINO. I didn't gamble (like I was going to spend money on gambling in Euros. pfft. Too pricey), but it was nice to wander in the casino and pretend to shop. Also, thank you frankfurt airport for having practically bed lounge chairs ALL over the place. I found one near my terminal and slept for, uhm, probably 4-5 hours. 

Oh, did I mention that on the flight over I sat next to a German couple who did NOT speak any English. I was cramped against the window, having to use the bathroom or just stand, but I felt horrid trying to wiggle my way by and not be able to explain to them why I was doing so. Best part, the husband had 3 beers. One as we took off, another midway through, and a last and final one when we landed---when did we land you ask, 7AM. He straight up drank a beer at 7AM. Who needs breakfast when you can have Warsteiner. Yum!

Second plane ride, MUCH BETTER. I again, sat next to someone that didn't speak English, but he was super nice! AND I got an upgraded seat, no one in front of me with amazing leg room. And, the little old man kept pulling out chocolates and sweets and shared them with me. Everytime I said "no, no thanks really. I'm okay" he kept insisting. Such a nice man. I slept almost the whole way and arrived in Kuwait at 12AM.

First thing, got dinars. Second thing, visa. Third thing, bags. Then, looking for Miss Margaret (the principal.) The airport was oddly crowded, and people were gathered in crowds looking for most likely family members coming off my flight. For a barely full flight, it looked like everyone and their mother was coming to pick up whomever. 

Though, through all of this overwhelming flight and trip, I was able to view the most wonderful sight of Kuwait from my window as we landed and drive past some of the largest houses I've ever seen. They say NYC or Vegas are the cities that never sleep, well those people have never been to Kuwait. Truly, people stay up all night. 

22.5 hours was well worth the seemingly endless wait to arrive in Kuwait. It really isn't what you would expect. Picture NYC, made with sandcastle looking buildings. Also, the big thing here is tile, not wooden floors. Probably because of the heat!