Assalamu alaikum ,
The end is here! End of July I mean. That means that Kim and Ashleigh will be leaving in 10 days. I am sure going to miss them when they are gone, but maybe I will be able to watch some TV again (Ash hogs the set watching "Scooby Doo"), but that's OK since it keeps her busy.
It has been wonderful having a drivers license. I have been driving to work and of course the ability to go shopping whenever I please, is great.
I am still planning to be stateside from Aug 22 and leaving Aug 28. Kimberly's fathers funeral will be at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26. We will be staying one night in DC at Jury's Washington Hotel , but I want to visit sister Carolyn at her home in Maryland the day before and also try to do some sight seeing in DC. So much to do with so little time.
The days here seem to be getting shorter as the sun is coming up later in the morning, but the temperatures are still as hot as can be. Today's temp is 115 and the tomorrow is expected to be 119 or higher (or lower) depending on the source.
Well that's about all I can think of for today. Please check out Kimberly's Blog for daily pictures of our sightseeing adventures in Kuwait.
Ma'assalama
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
News Flash Update!!!
Yeah. Finally. I have gotten my Kuwait Drivers License and a car to drive. I feel like the chains have been cut off my legs, as I am now able to move about freely, to come and go as I please. You just don't know how much we depend on having a car for transportation until you don't have one. Even though I am sitting here in my flat, typing on the computer, just to know I can jump into the car and go somewhere on a whim is liberating.
Today we took a nice drive to Marina Mall and walked around there to see what it was all about. Very nice, but just like any other mall anywhere, it has the same shops, same look and feel as all the others. From there we drove around some more heading toward Kuwait city and stopped at the Kuwait Water towers. From there we proceeded on to Liberation Tower, stopping along the way at Green Island where Kim and Ashleigh walked on the shore and collected shells, It was really hot, so that lasted for only a few minutes. Ashleigh would have been in the water had she been dressed for swimming. Kim made the observation that of all the swimmers in the water, only one was a woman, and she was fully dressed in her Abaya and Hajib.
We needed to pick up a few groceries, so we proceeded to Avenues Mall that was not to far from where we were, stopping at the Carrefoure Store and also grabbing a bite to eat at the KFC. Except for the currency being Kuwaiti dinars, you can hardly tell the difference from here and the states, with all of the immigrants working the shops and fast food places.
Kim and Ashleigh will be leaving from their vacation in 3 weeks so we have a lot of catching up to do as far as sight seeing and other things we have had to put on hold. So expect more soon.
Well, Thats it for now.
TTYL
Ma' assalama
Today we took a nice drive to Marina Mall and walked around there to see what it was all about. Very nice, but just like any other mall anywhere, it has the same shops, same look and feel as all the others. From there we drove around some more heading toward Kuwait city and stopped at the Kuwait Water towers. From there we proceeded on to Liberation Tower, stopping along the way at Green Island where Kim and Ashleigh walked on the shore and collected shells, It was really hot, so that lasted for only a few minutes. Ashleigh would have been in the water had she been dressed for swimming. Kim made the observation that of all the swimmers in the water, only one was a woman, and she was fully dressed in her Abaya and Hajib.
We needed to pick up a few groceries, so we proceeded to Avenues Mall that was not to far from where we were, stopping at the Carrefoure Store and also grabbing a bite to eat at the KFC. Except for the currency being Kuwaiti dinars, you can hardly tell the difference from here and the states, with all of the immigrants working the shops and fast food places.
Kim and Ashleigh will be leaving from their vacation in 3 weeks so we have a lot of catching up to do as far as sight seeing and other things we have had to put on hold. So expect more soon.
Well, Thats it for now.
TTYL
Ma' assalama
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Chicken Chase!
Masa alkhair (Good Afternoon)
Yes, thats exactly what it feels like. Getting anything done here is like a chicken chase. Running around trying to get something that seems just out of reach. Went into KWC and sat around for 30 minutes and drank tea, coffee and water until our driver drove us to a place where we did the vision test. Drive time 15 minutes. Read six letters from a chart, the clerk stamped our paperwork and then we left. Total time at that location was about 10 minutes. Driver then drove us to another location ( again maybe 15 minutes) where a doctor or lab person asked me what my blood type was. I told him and off we went again, total time there was 10 minutes. Drove back to the first location, drank some more tea, coffee or water and watched a bit of TV in the reception room. Sat there for about 30 minutes then the driver came and asked us if we wanted to go back home.
This is when we (three of us) asked about the driver licenses and especially about the US driver license we turned in and a few other questions about when we would get the Kuwait driver license. The main person then came in and returned our US licenses, and told us we would have the Kuwait licenses late today or for sure tomorrow. .
I see so much need for a streamlined process here. Maybe they could create a DMV where you could do this entire process, say 3 or 4 hours instead of 3 or 4 months.
We will see tomorrow!
Ma' assalama
Yes, thats exactly what it feels like. Getting anything done here is like a chicken chase. Running around trying to get something that seems just out of reach. Went into KWC and sat around for 30 minutes and drank tea, coffee and water until our driver drove us to a place where we did the vision test. Drive time 15 minutes. Read six letters from a chart, the clerk stamped our paperwork and then we left. Total time at that location was about 10 minutes. Driver then drove us to another location ( again maybe 15 minutes) where a doctor or lab person asked me what my blood type was. I told him and off we went again, total time there was 10 minutes. Drove back to the first location, drank some more tea, coffee or water and watched a bit of TV in the reception room. Sat there for about 30 minutes then the driver came and asked us if we wanted to go back home.
This is when we (three of us) asked about the driver licenses and especially about the US driver license we turned in and a few other questions about when we would get the Kuwait driver license. The main person then came in and returned our US licenses, and told us we would have the Kuwait licenses late today or for sure tomorrow. .
I see so much need for a streamlined process here. Maybe they could create a DMV where you could do this entire process, say 3 or 4 hours instead of 3 or 4 months.
We will see tomorrow!
Ma' assalama
NEWS FLASH!..Early Morning update
Sabah alkhair! (Good Morning)
This is a preliminary update. I received a call last night from my boss and he said to be prepared to go an get my driver license vision test today at 09:00. So I will meet with my co-worker Greg and we will be escorted by a representative of the company that "expedites" our paperwork. So I sit here this morning listening to the radio and waiting for the ride. Whether or not I will actually get a DL today is any body's guess. Then I will have to find a car to lease (one that I can afford). Hope to have it all worked out by the end of the day or at least the week end.
The weather here is HOT and DUSTY. The last few days the wind has been blowing at up to 50 kph and the dust and sand has been miserable. The temps have been in the 110-120 range, which makes it feel like a blast furnace with the wind blowing in your face. Just about another month of the wind and sand then the humidity moves in. H mm..I wonder what that will be like? More to come.
Later (Ma'assalama)
This is a preliminary update. I received a call last night from my boss and he said to be prepared to go an get my driver license vision test today at 09:00. So I will meet with my co-worker Greg and we will be escorted by a representative of the company that "expedites" our paperwork. So I sit here this morning listening to the radio and waiting for the ride. Whether or not I will actually get a DL today is any body's guess. Then I will have to find a car to lease (one that I can afford). Hope to have it all worked out by the end of the day or at least the week end.
The weather here is HOT and DUSTY. The last few days the wind has been blowing at up to 50 kph and the dust and sand has been miserable. The temps have been in the 110-120 range, which makes it feel like a blast furnace with the wind blowing in your face. Just about another month of the wind and sand then the humidity moves in. H mm..I wonder what that will be like? More to come.
Later (Ma'assalama)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Our Friday Market (Souk) adventure.
After a long and arduous walk around we found a vendor with two carpets I can live with and at a price I was happy with. You can tell that there is price fixing between vendors because I asked several about the price of a 3x4 meter carpet, and the immediate response was 38 KD. I believe I got a good deal out of desperation on our vendors part to take home some dinar. The souk starts to close down around 8 pm - 8:30 and the price magically dropped in half so I picked up two pieces (3x4 and a 2x3) for 30 KD or about $113 USD.
The carpets cover the floor nicely and present a more organized appearance to the living room by defining the living room area from the area where the dinning table sits. Our living room is really more like a great room in concept with no dining area really set up by wall or partition. So defining the room area by carpet seems to works for us.
Kim has posted some photos on her BLOG http://www.quiltingmemakim.blogspot.com of the Friday souk and also our carpets.
On an extremely sad note, Kimberly’s father, James Ronald Nill, passed away earlier this week. (1 January 1937 – 8 July 2008) He will be truly missed by those that called him friend and those that loved him, and I count myself as one. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery 26 August 2008, so I will be traveling to the states for the funeral. Kim has decided to finish her
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
R & R Time is coming up.
Marhaba (hello) from Kuwait.
Today I made my travel arrangements for my R&R. I had hoped originally to travel to some far off and remote part of the world and see something I had never seen before but I guess thats not going to happen this R&R. I will be traveling to Virginia to visit family and spend thanksgiving there. My itinerary is to leave Kuwait on the 7th of November arriving in VA about 14 hours later. I am also planning while in the states to visit my mom for her birthday. It will be a busy time while there. I hope my girls will fix me a thanksgiving feast that will tide me over for Christmas and New Years as well.
I also hope the weather is favorable for riding as I really miss my motorcycle cruises with Kim on the back. I had hoped to get a chance to ride while over here but that would would be insane, what with the way the people drive here. Have I mentioned that they drive CRAZY! Still no word on my Kuwait drivers license. I hear I may get it on the 12th, Insha'allah (god willing)..... That would be the 12th of NEVER!
Looking forward to seeing most of you in November. I will continue to update the blog when things happen. Until then.
Ma'assalama (Go In Peace)
Today I made my travel arrangements for my R&R. I had hoped originally to travel to some far off and remote part of the world and see something I had never seen before but I guess thats not going to happen this R&R. I will be traveling to Virginia to visit family and spend thanksgiving there. My itinerary is to leave Kuwait on the 7th of November arriving in VA about 14 hours later. I am also planning while in the states to visit my mom for her birthday. It will be a busy time while there. I hope my girls will fix me a thanksgiving feast that will tide me over for Christmas and New Years as well.
I also hope the weather is favorable for riding as I really miss my motorcycle cruises with Kim on the back. I had hoped to get a chance to ride while over here but that would would be insane, what with the way the people drive here. Have I mentioned that they drive CRAZY! Still no word on my Kuwait drivers license. I hear I may get it on the 12th, Insha'allah (god willing)..... That would be the 12th of NEVER!
Looking forward to seeing most of you in November. I will continue to update the blog when things happen. Until then.
Ma'assalama (Go In Peace)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy 4th of July
Celebrated the 4th by fixing a home style traditional type meal, using what I had on hand. So lets see, the menu was Broiled meat / BBQ sauce with some macaroni and cheese and some peas. Actually, it was very good and we even had some left overs that will do lunch for us on the 5th (today). The weather has not changed, it is just hot and dry. They predict 119 degrees today but usually it will only hit 115. Just too hot to do any outside activities and cab fare is killing me @ about $40 round trip to any of the malls.
I had the 3rd off as well so we went to see a movie and do some shopping and basically just get out of the house. The movie was called Wall-E. An animated feature about robots and the destruction of the earth from trash and all that PC stuff. My take is that it was an info-mercial about the evils of littering and how mankind is going to be doomed if we do not change our ways. other than that it was a cute movie with very loud audio. Good for kids and deaf people.
I was told again that I should see my drivers license this coming week, Insha'allah. I have heard that line so many times before its almost laughable. But we shall see....! I can only be hopeful that it will happen. Then it will be time to locate a vehicle to lease. My co-worker Greg and I still have plans to share a lease in an effort to save some money. The transportation allowance I receive doesn't even come close to paying a lease on a vehicle, so sharing will allow us to get a larger vehicle with some comfort and safety built in. A small car would not be totally out of the question, but the way people drive here makes it a necessity to have some car between you and the next person. Bigger is safer!! Especially here. I can't begin to tell you how many cars I have seen on the side of the roads, completely demolished, not just fender benders, but completely torn up. Roll over accidents must account for 80% of the accidents. Just amazing! People drive CRAZY here.
Ashleigh got up this morning and made breakfast for us. We had pancakes and turkey bacon. I did the cooking, but she did the preparation. It all turned out very good. Now everyone is napping. Kim and I usually get up before 5 am on workdays and Ash sleeps in most mornings since she is online chatting with the other girls and her mom until about 2 am our time. I decided to subscribe to a satellite service for Ashleigh to have some American programming on the TV. They do have a lot of English channels that are Free to Air, but the selection is limited and they repeat everything so much it gets ridiculous to try and find something that has not been seen 3 or 4 times already.
Well folks, stay tuned for more as it happens. TTYL
Assalamu alaikum
I had the 3rd off as well so we went to see a movie and do some shopping and basically just get out of the house. The movie was called Wall-E. An animated feature about robots and the destruction of the earth from trash and all that PC stuff. My take is that it was an info-mercial about the evils of littering and how mankind is going to be doomed if we do not change our ways. other than that it was a cute movie with very loud audio. Good for kids and deaf people.
I was told again that I should see my drivers license this coming week, Insha'allah. I have heard that line so many times before its almost laughable. But we shall see....! I can only be hopeful that it will happen. Then it will be time to locate a vehicle to lease. My co-worker Greg and I still have plans to share a lease in an effort to save some money. The transportation allowance I receive doesn't even come close to paying a lease on a vehicle, so sharing will allow us to get a larger vehicle with some comfort and safety built in. A small car would not be totally out of the question, but the way people drive here makes it a necessity to have some car between you and the next person. Bigger is safer!! Especially here. I can't begin to tell you how many cars I have seen on the side of the roads, completely demolished, not just fender benders, but completely torn up. Roll over accidents must account for 80% of the accidents. Just amazing! People drive CRAZY here.
Ashleigh got up this morning and made breakfast for us. We had pancakes and turkey bacon. I did the cooking, but she did the preparation. It all turned out very good. Now everyone is napping. Kim and I usually get up before 5 am on workdays and Ash sleeps in most mornings since she is online chatting with the other girls and her mom until about 2 am our time. I decided to subscribe to a satellite service for Ashleigh to have some American programming on the TV. They do have a lot of English channels that are Free to Air, but the selection is limited and they repeat everything so much it gets ridiculous to try and find something that has not been seen 3 or 4 times already.
Well folks, stay tuned for more as it happens. TTYL
Assalamu alaikum
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)