Ghader Al-Bula

We have accomplished millions of tasks yesterday. :) Friends know that both ExploreMan and I are task oriented people. We hope we will become more relaxed like Arabs and more people oriented.  We went to a photo studio in Ahmadi town (where ExplorMan’s company is located) in the morning for ID photos taking, and then we went to ExploreMan's company (Social Affairs/ Immigration Traffic Department) for our permanent residence visa application. After these this major task, ExploreMan offered options for lunch, and we screened out western style fast food in a mall. Then ExploreMan drove us to a Syrian restaurant called Ghader Al-Bustan where the photo studio was close by. From outside, the restaurant does not have English signs, but has some attractive pictures of the food plates. The interior decoration looks like a typical Muslim restaurant that I have been in Xin Jiang province, China. The waiter suggested us to order the 5 K.D. ($17.5 CAN) huge Family Grill Meal (Small size) after he saw that we were struggling to figure out what is what on the menu and what we should order. Soon he brought a huge basket with about 20 thin soft pita breads to us! Then a plate of pickled olives and hot green pepper! 2 cans of Pepsi and 2 bottles of water cost about $2 CAN. When the grilled plate was brought to us, we were stunned how big it was! It had lamb, beef, chicken, meat breads, roasted tomatoes and onions, and Syrian French Fries!  They are so delicious! Of course we only finished 60% of the plate, and asked the waiter to pack the rest for dinner.

Welcome to Kuwait!

After nine and a half hours flying from Calgary to Frankfurt and five hours from Frankfurt to Kuwait on June 26th and 27th, we arrived in Kuwait Airport with twelve checked-in luggage and six carry-on luggage. There are so many things that I want to write to you my dear friends, but I would like to share some stories about the first couple of Kuwait people I have met.

The first Kuwaiti I’ve ever met in my entire life was a young beautiful lady. I went to the washroom by gate C4 at Frankfurt Airport when we were about to board flight KU172 The washroom was a tiny little one that has a tiny little sink. I excused myself to the tab and a pretty young woman with a black head scarf smiled to me and asked me if I was from Japan and was going to Kuwait. Telling her that I was from Canada and was moving to Kuwait for good, she was so excited that she offered me her mobile phone number. I was not used to being offered with a cell phone number by a stranger before, so I did not know what to say and responded with my name , “nice meeting you” and a huge smile. She told me if I needed any help in Kuwait, I should call her any time! I was so moved by her words and beautiful eyes that I did not know if I should give out my contacts. In the end I did not; I truly hope she is not offended by my action. I will remember her forever, as she represented Kuwaitis in my eyes.

The second Kuwaiti I met was a gentleman who sat beside me in the business cabin on the flight from Frankfurt to Kuwait. I was worried in the beginning with my sleeveless dress skirt (I had a long sleeve shirt that I had planned to wear once I got off the plane), so I was quite nervous that he being offended (Some books suggested that some Middle East men do feel offended). But we started a great one-hour conversation ranging from teenager problems comparison in North American and Middle East countries, traveling in Middle East countries, Iraqi invasion consequences, housing in Kuwait, government issues, sea food, family values, last names of Kuwaitis and etc.. Of course I asked about how foreign women should dress as well. He ensured that what I was wearing was absolutely appropriate. He also gave his business class gift to my children and offered his business card to help our family’s settling in. When the countless meals were offered to us, he explained all the food for my selection. At the moment the plane touched down on the strip of Kuwait Airport, he looked into my eyes and said, “Welcome to Kuwait! Hope you enjoy living here!”

I found that Kuwaiti people like to help anyone who needs assistance. When they talk, they look into your eyes with honest and warm words; and huge smiles.  Friendship means huge for them.  They like you when you smile, especially with the typical Canadian smile.

Rich Neighbors

The ExploreMan went to the 19th floor of the apartment building, which our new home is on the lower level, and took some pictures from the luxurious penthouse. To his astonishment, and to mine too, there are those extraordinary houses on the beach! I wonder who the owners are, what they do and if they are happy or not.

Shark Mall - Souq Sharq Shopping Mall

ExploreMan was taken by his driver to the Shark Mall. I suspect that almost everything is related to a sea creature. By the way, the first picture in the previous blog is - water fountain! Did you get it right?

My favourite, as I am a food person.

Holt Renfrew?

Eau Claire Market? Love the veggie corner!

What is this beside Starbucks? A new type of coffee maker?

Give me a break! (1 K.D. = $3.75 CAN)
I'll stop shopping in Canada then.

Nice and quiet...

Sentera Market?

Oh, right!

Food Court...nice...

Don't you like the cool Arabic letters?

Cigar Shop ??

Comfort Zone

ExploreMan sent me this picture naming "I do not know this". Since I've done some intensive research and analysis on Kuwait via Internet and books, surely I know what it is. Do you know?

Unlike my elder son Doudou, my younger son Niuniu did not want to move to Mideast, as he likes his school and friends, and I guess he may have fear of leaving his comfort zone, even though both of them said they could not wait to learn Arabic. One of the promises we made to promote his willingness of moving is to get a cat or a bunny for him. ExploreMan send this picture to Niuniu to show him that Kuwait has nutella too! People do have fear in changes, uncertainties and risks , and one of the comforts is to see or taste something familiar with in the new environment. Sticky rice balls are my comfort food for me when I miss China.

Bachelor Again

Bachelor Flat Building
(It rained!)

ExploreMan moved into a bachelor flat building yesterday and will enjoy his retreat life for two months.

Living Room

Modern Part of Kuwait

Fahaheel
(A shopping / commercial district close to Ahmadi where the company is located)

Fahaheel

Apartment buildings

Beach
(looks like Maui?)


Mosque

Hmm...fish market...love it

Cool!

Guest House

ExploreMan stayed at the company guest house for four nights after arriving in Kuwait on Dec. 27th night. ExploreMan said that the place is quiet, simple and clean.

The meals in the guest house are super delicious and the price is great. For $11 (CAN) ExploreMan can totally satisfy his huge stomach easily. Most importantly, the people around are really nice and caring. The recruit team of the company has arranged everything for new comers including personal errands.

Guest House Reception

Sandy Golf Course

ExploreMan arrived yesterday at Kuwait Internation Airport, even though there was a tight security arround the world due to Detroit incident. A Kuwait company recruit person met him in front of the Strabucks at the airport with his and my passport pictures in hand, and took him to the company guest house, where ExploreMan sent twenty compressed pictures to us before his laptop died of starvation, as the electricity plug-ins and outlets do not match. Informing the recruit person that his family lives in his little silver box, a driver was assigned to him for shopping and he got an adapter. And we talked through the internet for one hour this morning!

ExploreMan loves golfing and one of his luggage is a set of golf club. During the orientation, he took some pictures of the sandy golf club. Here you are: (ExploreMan uses Panasonic Lumix SZ1 camera and he has compressed the pictures really low, as the internet is kind of slower over there.)

Golf Course Club House

Hole #1

Hole #1 Tee Box

Hole #9 "Green"

Golf Course Layout

Front 9

Back 9