After 23 hours worth of traveling, I finally arrived in Kuwait on Wednesday afternoon. The flights weren't nearly as bad as I had anticipated--first, LA >DC and then 11 hours DC >Kuwait. I was fortunate enough to have a bed on both flights, and some really nice and interesting people to talk with for part of each flight (Torrence- stop judging) including Oprah's CFO on her way to Johannesburg to see the first class graduate from Oprah's school, and an older couple headed to Kuwait to bird watch... to each his own?
Since I am in Kuwait to work with a former client from LA, the mom picked me up with her sister-in- law and we headed out to lunch for Persian food, aka rice and kabobs and picked up some Starbucks. The restaurant was at the largest mall in Kuwait, The Avenues. Immediately upon arriving at the mall, I walked in only to find... SHAKE SHACKKKK! What?! Amazing. Apparently it has just opened. I had only had it in New York, but apparently they opened one in Dubai and now Kuwait, and according to my research there are other US east coast locations no one told me about... The mall had many people in the traditional/conservative garb--burkas with veils or headscarves for women and disdashas (long robes) for men-- but also many people who dressed like typical Americans (maybe not typical Los Angelenos) on the conservative side. (As a general rule of thumb you want to stay away from tight or low cut shirts, or showing your shoulders) Some people were just walking about the mall smoking cigarettes which was really strange and surprising... and even more so because there were actual signs that said "No Smoking". I asked the people I was with about it, and they said people will basically do whatever they want. I am pretty sure this applies to driving as well... Which.Is.Loco. We arrived home after lunch and surprised the rest of the family, as no one knew I was coming except the child I treat. I got a tour of the house and of my room.
Most of the houses look like buildings. Like buildings for businesses. I kept asking which ones were houses and which ones were businesses. The answer was always "house". From what I was told, Kuwaitis are generally very private; most homes come standard with electronic shutters that close overnot only the windows, but also the doorways after sundown. Therefore, the cube-like design of the homes is because usually all homes used to have a courtyard in the middle as to keep activity within the house and private.
There isn't too much to do socially, so I was warned that I will gain weight because most socializing revolves around meals (of starchy food). When you go out to dinner at night, even something as small as Upper Crust (just as good as in Boston), everyone is more casual. You don't see as much traditional clothing, and instead you're kinda of surrounded by Karsdashian-esque fashionistas. I totally didn't stand out at all in my flannel shirt and jeans and washed out skin. Oh also-- the eldest family member at the table is supposed to pay for everyone's meal. Oh and- no tap or bottled water. It's all bottled. The question is... room temperature or cold? When I looked around the restaurant I also noticed mainly tables of women, or tables of men, and a few couples. Below are pictures of the new strip mall that is clearly a hotspot hangout. Actually, maybe not so clear in the photo.With 3 people in it. but really the restaurants were packed.
Today, I learned that pretty much the generation before us, growing up, could not drive in a car with someone of the opposite sex unless you were married. Today it's more liberal, but I was talking to a woman in her late 30's, early 40's who said she used to have to drive to another part of the city, separately, to go on a date with her boyfriend, because they could not be seen together, alone, in public. She also went on to say how bringing Starbucks to Kuwait has really changed things because it's an affordable (that's relative to eating at a restaurant) good hangout for younger people and they can go there to sit and hangout in the coffee shop all together. Apparently the man who brought the franchise to Kuwait is really killing it in the Middle East and they asked him to take on parts of Europe.
A large part of the culture is also the family. Not just their immediate family, but first and second cousins, grandparents, uncles and aunts, great uncles, etc. It is tradition that you live with your parents until you marry. When you do marry, women do not take their husbands last name. Oh-- also--- when you get married the government will give you a plot of land and money, and you can also get a loan for your house without interest. It is against the religion of Islam to charge interest. A loan is a loan and you only owe back what you are given. Sidenote- the government also will give each citizen $10K upon completion of high school, and another $10K for graduating from college. It's incredible. Oh and no tax. On anythinggg. Back to family--->Women will move out to live with/or closer to their in-laws. Even when you move out of your parents house, you are always near a ton of family and in some cases there are compounds where the entire "neighborhood" is filled with strictly blood related residents. Several times a week families will all gather for lunch, some days with their young children, some days not. After school activities and weekend activities usually include the little kids meeting up with all of their cousins at one of their houses.
Since I didn't take two naps and managed to fight the jet lag all day, I will be starting to work starting Monday. Also, in Kuwait, Thursday is the new Friday. Weekends are Fridays and Saturdays. So technically, it's a school night. Tomorrow I have a meeting at the Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute where I will be working and seeing clients three days a week, and Monday I will start working with the child I am treating at an early intervention school for children with special needs two days a week.
Also--since the Jet Lag has passed we will be doing more tourist-like activities so I will have more/more exciting photos.
xo Mary
Since I am in Kuwait to work with a former client from LA, the mom picked me up with her sister-in- law and we headed out to lunch for Persian food, aka rice and kabobs and picked up some Starbucks. The restaurant was at the largest mall in Kuwait, The Avenues. Immediately upon arriving at the mall, I walked in only to find... SHAKE SHACKKKK! What?! Amazing. Apparently it has just opened. I had only had it in New York, but apparently they opened one in Dubai and now Kuwait, and according to my research there are other US east coast locations no one told me about... The mall had many people in the traditional/conservative garb--burkas with veils or headscarves for women and disdashas (long robes) for men-- but also many people who dressed like typical Americans (maybe not typical Los Angelenos) on the conservative side. (As a general rule of thumb you want to stay away from tight or low cut shirts, or showing your shoulders) Some people were just walking about the mall smoking cigarettes which was really strange and surprising... and even more so because there were actual signs that said "No Smoking". I asked the people I was with about it, and they said people will basically do whatever they want. I am pretty sure this applies to driving as well... Which.Is.Loco. We arrived home after lunch and surprised the rest of the family, as no one knew I was coming except the child I treat. I got a tour of the house and of my room.
Most of the houses look like buildings. Like buildings for businesses. I kept asking which ones were houses and which ones were businesses. The answer was always "house". From what I was told, Kuwaitis are generally very private; most homes come standard with electronic shutters that close overnot only the windows, but also the doorways after sundown. Therefore, the cube-like design of the homes is because usually all homes used to have a courtyard in the middle as to keep activity within the house and private.
There isn't too much to do socially, so I was warned that I will gain weight because most socializing revolves around meals (of starchy food). When you go out to dinner at night, even something as small as Upper Crust (just as good as in Boston), everyone is more casual. You don't see as much traditional clothing, and instead you're kinda of surrounded by Karsdashian-esque fashionistas. I totally didn't stand out at all in my flannel shirt and jeans and washed out skin. Oh also-- the eldest family member at the table is supposed to pay for everyone's meal. Oh and- no tap or bottled water. It's all bottled. The question is... room temperature or cold? When I looked around the restaurant I also noticed mainly tables of women, or tables of men, and a few couples. Below are pictures of the new strip mall that is clearly a hotspot hangout. Actually, maybe not so clear in the photo.With 3 people in it. but really the restaurants were packed.
Today, I learned that pretty much the generation before us, growing up, could not drive in a car with someone of the opposite sex unless you were married. Today it's more liberal, but I was talking to a woman in her late 30's, early 40's who said she used to have to drive to another part of the city, separately, to go on a date with her boyfriend, because they could not be seen together, alone, in public. She also went on to say how bringing Starbucks to Kuwait has really changed things because it's an affordable (that's relative to eating at a restaurant) good hangout for younger people and they can go there to sit and hangout in the coffee shop all together. Apparently the man who brought the franchise to Kuwait is really killing it in the Middle East and they asked him to take on parts of Europe.
A large part of the culture is also the family. Not just their immediate family, but first and second cousins, grandparents, uncles and aunts, great uncles, etc. It is tradition that you live with your parents until you marry. When you do marry, women do not take their husbands last name. Oh-- also--- when you get married the government will give you a plot of land and money, and you can also get a loan for your house without interest. It is against the religion of Islam to charge interest. A loan is a loan and you only owe back what you are given. Sidenote- the government also will give each citizen $10K upon completion of high school, and another $10K for graduating from college. It's incredible. Oh and no tax. On anythinggg. Back to family--->Women will move out to live with/or closer to their in-laws. Even when you move out of your parents house, you are always near a ton of family and in some cases there are compounds where the entire "neighborhood" is filled with strictly blood related residents. Several times a week families will all gather for lunch, some days with their young children, some days not. After school activities and weekend activities usually include the little kids meeting up with all of their cousins at one of their houses.
Since I didn't take two naps and managed to fight the jet lag all day, I will be starting to work starting Monday. Also, in Kuwait, Thursday is the new Friday. Weekends are Fridays and Saturdays. So technically, it's a school night. Tomorrow I have a meeting at the Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute where I will be working and seeing clients three days a week, and Monday I will start working with the child I am treating at an early intervention school for children with special needs two days a week.
Also--since the Jet Lag has passed we will be doing more tourist-like activities so I will have more/more exciting photos.
xo Mary
FROM GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. Grandpa and I are happy you're there and all settled in. Sounds like you're surrounded by nice and caring people. We love your notes and pictures and think of you every day. We are fine. Love you, Mary and we will talk to you later.
ReplyDeleteFROM AUNT SHARON. Thanks for such an interesting description of life thus far in Kuwait. We appreciate the time you take to do this! Were the last 4-5 pictures taken on the grounds of the place you live?
Wow! Amazing! What a cool experience :) miss you! -meg
ReplyDeleteI am totally on board with the 'no interest loan' thing, can you bring that back to America please?
ReplyDeleteThanks - Loveyameanit!