We have started a new adventure that I wasn't sure would come. We found out in late May/early June (dates are running together now) that we would be moving to Kuwait. It took so long to get the visa that I didn't know if we would get here. We got the visa on Friday, September 19th and flew to Kuwait on Monday, September 22nd. We arrived late and weary. The flight was not necessarily long but with two kids, luggage, layovers, and delays it seems like forever. When David first told me Kuwait was our new destination I was overwhelmed. I was in the middle of making blue play dough for Owen and had to hang up the phone, fumble through the rest of the play dough, and found myself on my knees at my bed. I was trying my best to pray and seek God's guidance in the midst of Eli squawking and Owen peeping under my bowed head to ask what I was doing. Needless to say it lasted for about 30 seconds. But in that 30 seconds I felt comfort. The boys and I were on our way in the afternoon to meet our dear friend at embassy so the boys could play with hers. I told her the news and she immediately said "I have a neighbor that just moved to Moscow from Kuwait. Would you like me to invite her over to talk?" At that moment I knew God had every intention of sending us to the Middle East for our new home. He always has perfectly laid out plans, if only I always opened my eyes to see them.
Okay so onto my shock and initial reaction. I really didn't think that anything could shock me after being Russia. And I still hold strong that all shocks are minimum compared to there. My friend warned me that coming off the plane it will tons of men, why? We don't know but there will be. Well she was right. Tons of them. Just sitting around. Do they stay at the airport all day? Is this the Kuwaiti version of a coffee shop? We shuffle through with two semi sleeping babies to wait in line for a tourist visa for myself and the boys. David got a work visa but has to establish residency before he can invite his wife and children to join him. I am definitely entering a male dominated country. So we grab our number 622 and they are on 578. Yay!!! At right before 600, Eli started to cry. As if on cue, and the man at the visa counter jumped us forward and sent us on our way. We go to collect the bags. And again men everywhere waiting to help you with your bags (for a fee of course). So off we go with our bags and help to the car to head to the hotel. We all fall asleep around midnight.
Next morning bright and early wake up call for David (it is about 7:30 am). Is this David Lacy's room? Yes! Is he awake? No! Okay we will call later. David then gets up, gets ready and leaves to start his new job. The boys and I wake, head to breakfast, and then the pool. Our days have been the same. Eat, tv, pool, eat, tv, nap, pool, eat, bed. Works for me. Oh let me not forget the Chocolate Bar between 5-6pm everyday. LOVE IT!!! We are staying at the Movenpick Hotel. For all those that don't know anything about Movenpick. It is Swiss and has the best chocolate ice cream I have ever had. And I am an ice cream connoisseur. Every time we go to the lobby they give the boys more chocolate. My kids are so hyped up on sugar at the moment I might have to send them into detox. And I do expect withdrawals. Especially Eli. That kid will shove chocolate into his mouth before you blink.
The boys and I went to the supermarket once. It was a bit overwhelming and odd. It was bulk on bottom then an escalator up and then the normal market. More men. Everywhere. Bought some cheetos. They taste funny. But at least everything is in English. Went to the mall. It was HUGE!!! ENORMOUS!!! I think I am still lost in it. It does have a Pottery Barn, PB Teen, and a PB Kids. Yay! And at about the same price as the US. Bonus. I don't like to go out without David too much yet. The men just stare. STARE! It is a bit unsettling. I guess my pasty white skin, freckles, and red hair stand out here??? I totally thought I would blend right in. :)
Kuwaiti's love hamburgers!!! All are pretty much overweight. I was surprised by that. I assumed only American's were super fat. Nope! I do see berkas, and the white garbs the men wear. I do see people covered and people dressed exactly like I would dress. It is a bit more interesting at the pool. The boys are in shorts. Normal. The girls...some are in bikinis, one pieces, full clothing such as tank top and shorts/leggings. Some have full berka swimsuits. The kids love Eli's and Owen's toys. They make their rounds at the pool. Today I was surprised to see a girl about 13 or so that did not know how to swim and was asking me to teach her. That caught me off guard. I tried to help her the best I could.
Went to church on Friday. It is a large Evangelical compound with many churches in different languages. It was nice to go and great to see so many different nationalities and languages worshiping Christ. The work week here is Sunday - Thursday. So the weekend is Friday and Saturday.
We have been out to eat several times (obviously since we are in a hotel). That is an experience. The wait staff will come and entertain the kids for you. And once it wasn't busy so they took them and played hide-n-seek around the restaurant. It was a sight. Maybe I should mention that Kuwaitis don't hold service jobs. It is all foreigners. Filipino, Egyptian, Pakistani, Indian, etc...
I guess that is about it for now. My culture shock is small at the moment since I don't leave the hotel. But I do think I will be okay with this life. :) Beach, pool, warmth, A/C. What more could I ask for. Oh and it is hot here! HOT!!! About 106 everyday. Everybody keeps telling us we just missed the heat and now the weather is nice. Hahahaha!!!
Okay so onto my shock and initial reaction. I really didn't think that anything could shock me after being Russia. And I still hold strong that all shocks are minimum compared to there. My friend warned me that coming off the plane it will tons of men, why? We don't know but there will be. Well she was right. Tons of them. Just sitting around. Do they stay at the airport all day? Is this the Kuwaiti version of a coffee shop? We shuffle through with two semi sleeping babies to wait in line for a tourist visa for myself and the boys. David got a work visa but has to establish residency before he can invite his wife and children to join him. I am definitely entering a male dominated country. So we grab our number 622 and they are on 578. Yay!!! At right before 600, Eli started to cry. As if on cue, and the man at the visa counter jumped us forward and sent us on our way. We go to collect the bags. And again men everywhere waiting to help you with your bags (for a fee of course). So off we go with our bags and help to the car to head to the hotel. We all fall asleep around midnight.
Next morning bright and early wake up call for David (it is about 7:30 am). Is this David Lacy's room? Yes! Is he awake? No! Okay we will call later. David then gets up, gets ready and leaves to start his new job. The boys and I wake, head to breakfast, and then the pool. Our days have been the same. Eat, tv, pool, eat, tv, nap, pool, eat, bed. Works for me. Oh let me not forget the Chocolate Bar between 5-6pm everyday. LOVE IT!!! We are staying at the Movenpick Hotel. For all those that don't know anything about Movenpick. It is Swiss and has the best chocolate ice cream I have ever had. And I am an ice cream connoisseur. Every time we go to the lobby they give the boys more chocolate. My kids are so hyped up on sugar at the moment I might have to send them into detox. And I do expect withdrawals. Especially Eli. That kid will shove chocolate into his mouth before you blink.
The boys and I went to the supermarket once. It was a bit overwhelming and odd. It was bulk on bottom then an escalator up and then the normal market. More men. Everywhere. Bought some cheetos. They taste funny. But at least everything is in English. Went to the mall. It was HUGE!!! ENORMOUS!!! I think I am still lost in it. It does have a Pottery Barn, PB Teen, and a PB Kids. Yay! And at about the same price as the US. Bonus. I don't like to go out without David too much yet. The men just stare. STARE! It is a bit unsettling. I guess my pasty white skin, freckles, and red hair stand out here??? I totally thought I would blend right in. :)
Kuwaiti's love hamburgers!!! All are pretty much overweight. I was surprised by that. I assumed only American's were super fat. Nope! I do see berkas, and the white garbs the men wear. I do see people covered and people dressed exactly like I would dress. It is a bit more interesting at the pool. The boys are in shorts. Normal. The girls...some are in bikinis, one pieces, full clothing such as tank top and shorts/leggings. Some have full berka swimsuits. The kids love Eli's and Owen's toys. They make their rounds at the pool. Today I was surprised to see a girl about 13 or so that did not know how to swim and was asking me to teach her. That caught me off guard. I tried to help her the best I could.
Went to church on Friday. It is a large Evangelical compound with many churches in different languages. It was nice to go and great to see so many different nationalities and languages worshiping Christ. The work week here is Sunday - Thursday. So the weekend is Friday and Saturday.
We have been out to eat several times (obviously since we are in a hotel). That is an experience. The wait staff will come and entertain the kids for you. And once it wasn't busy so they took them and played hide-n-seek around the restaurant. It was a sight. Maybe I should mention that Kuwaitis don't hold service jobs. It is all foreigners. Filipino, Egyptian, Pakistani, Indian, etc...
I guess that is about it for now. My culture shock is small at the moment since I don't leave the hotel. But I do think I will be okay with this life. :) Beach, pool, warmth, A/C. What more could I ask for. Oh and it is hot here! HOT!!! About 106 everyday. Everybody keeps telling us we just missed the heat and now the weather is nice. Hahahaha!!!
