Big Bazaar (aka Winter Bazaar aka Christmas Bazaar....) November 24

New Law: You can be jailed for criticizing Kuwait

Ok, I don't how what the scale on "criticizing" is.  Can you criticize people?  Environment?  What?  The Kuwait constitution states

"Article 36:  Freedom of opinion and of scientific research shall be guaranteed. Every person shall have the right to express and propagate his opinion .verbally, in writing or otherwise, in accordance with the conditions and procedures specified by law"

So I guess the last part now applies to this new law, but how is it quantified?

Kuwait was built on diversity and different perspectives.  People didn't drop from the sky or pop up from the sand; they came here from different places.  They made it a country full of nomadic herders, pearl divers, traders, fishermen.  Now, people have different trades, but they are coming from different places with different backgrounds and different perspectives and calling it home.

I've lived in Kuwait for 22 years.  I wouldn't have stayed if I didn't love it. I wouldn't have moved here for a lower-paying job (true story).   Actually, I wouldn't have made Kuwait my priority in 1990 and 91. I wouldn't have helped Kuwaiti friends - then or now.  Prior to coming here, I was pretty vocal about how much I like Kuwait and promoting it to others.  My family got a little tired of hearing me talk about it.  Kuwait has been second home to me for a very long time.  I left my family, a job, my friends, my possessions, to come here in 1996 because I fell in love with this country.

But... like my first home... no place is without issues.  If you can't talk about issues and have it termed as "criticism" how does anyone address them?  How do different perspectives help a country in bettering itself?  

Some might add that that isn't my job.  Or yours.  Or any other individuals.  But individuals make up a country.  

"If you hate it so much, go home."  

Who says that you have to hate an entire country to hate specific things that are happening in it?  I hate pollution.  I hate it in the US. I hate it in Kuwait. I hate animal abuse.  I hate violence.  I hate poverty.  I hate hunger.  I hate homelessness or unfairness or or or....  Is that criticism or a voice to educate others on what is happening and how to resolve it?

No country, no person, no thing is perfect.  To what extent is "criticism"?

I wish I could dish the real truth on this blog

The problem I face now is that so many people know who I am and I'm:

Afraid of hurting peoples feelings
Afraid of pissing people off (customers or job-related people)
Afraid of being deported for even an iota of the stuff that I know and could really get me in trouble.

This is my peeve for the moment and I will keep it very general:

So let me just say that I wish I could talk about how undiplomatic and outright rude some of my customers are.  (This is light stuff so whatever.)  I work with kind, decent, and professional people with families.  They really care about the quality of their work and they look for ways to improve - without receiving any big deal appreciation or accolades.  They just do their jobs the right way because it is the right thing to do.  For this, they get threatened, shouted at, scolded, and demeaned.  Yes of course, our management team defends them, but then we as a company get the same treatment.  It isn't fair.  It isn't kind and it is the type of behavior that I wouldn't ever THINK (in regular life) that would be commensurate to the stature of their offices. 

We have been threatened for several years, "We are going to go to a competitor."  Ok.  Business is business.  They are entitled to do or go where ever they want.  But threats?  Stop treating good people like they are sub-human and  haven't done their best to help.  I sit in front of them.  I watch them.  There are a few who don't even get up to use the bathroom during the day because they take their jobs so seriously.  I have to tell them to go home at night because we don't pay overtime.  They want to finish their work.  I don't believe that I have ever worked anywhere (US or in any other country) with a more dedicated group of people.  Ever. 

Why not be direct?  Again, I can't understand why people just can't be straight with each other.  Why waste time?  If you don't fear a higher power or higher energy, that's your thing.  I don't understand that way of thinking and I pity the fool who isn't living with an appreciation of karma.  You never know what life is going to bring  you next.  Or who you are going to need.  Or when.  Or how.

Earthquake in Iran/Iraq felt in Kuwait

I was in bed, all cozy and warm.  My bed started shaking and moving around the floor.  My immediate thought was, 'that damn dog is stuck under the bed!'  I got up to look and he wasn't there.  So my next thought was a scene from The Exorcist and I was pretty sure I had a demon (djinni) in my room.  That's when I noticed my chandeliers swinging back and forth.  Cool.

My dog was still sleeping in the hallway.  He's a drama queen and if there is anything even slightly wrong (ESPECIALLY when I'm sleeping which is when he is in guard mode/high alert), everyone in the neighborhood will know about it.  So, I figured all was good and went back to sleep.

My dear friend and colleague called a minute later to ask if I was ok.  What a dear person. I really love this guy.  He's just one of the kindest people I know, wrapped up in a tough guy persona (because he has to be in his job).  That was so nice.

A friend's daughter just had an operation yesterday at a hospital and they asked her to walk down 15 flights of stairs.  There have also been numerous pictures of half-neked people on the streets, staring up at buildings.  Yeah, that's not me.  I wouldn't have walked down 15 flights either.  They can KMA.  I would have locked myself in the bathroom.  Don't care.  Not gonna happen. 

I did that when they had a fire DRILL at KIPCO tower (a DRILL that they notified us of like 3 weeks in advance).  We worked on the 30th floor and they wanted us to walk downstairs.  I thought it would be a short drill so I hid in the ladies room .... for 2 hours..  I had my phone.  I called people.  I chatted.  It took them about an hour to get everyone upstairs in the elevators.  Dumbest drill I've ever seen.  Forget that.  And I saw zero cute firemen.  What's the point?

Anyways, I live on the 2nd floor now so I just threw my passport in my handbag, put it next to my bed and had a dog leash and collar handy.  Went back to sleep.

This is the 3rd earthquake I've experienced in Kuwait (yawn).  The first one was in 1998 I think.  I saw things shaking and swaying in my apartment.  That was cool.  The second one was no big deal; kind of like a big truck driving by.  This one last night was the biggest yet.

Plastic Recycling Plant opens in Kuwait - Drop Boxes Popping up Everywhere!

Below is a repost from Ladies Who Do Lunch In Kuwait's blog.  She's very positive in her posts, so I'm hijacking them because I've been in such a negative posting slump lately. 

https://www.facebook.com/omniya.recycle/

I've heard of a few recycle programmes but then they seemed to fizzle out but Omniya have now opened a large purpose-built facility in Jahra to handle recycling all those water bottles that I feel so guilty throwing away. Bravo! Look out for one of their 2,500 collection boxes spread out over the city.

This one is in Al Shaheed Park in the Habitat Museum building.

--- end ---

I saw one of these bins outside Mishref Co-op this weekend and didn't know what it was.  Now I do and I'll bring any plastic water bottles to the bin.  I don't really use them unless I'm driving somewhere, but people in my neighborhood have "donated" by throwing them out of their car windows in our parking lot, so I can go pick them up.

FINALLY a solid recycling program! Next on the wish list:  tire recycling plant....

“I went to the West and saw Islam, but no Muslims; I got back to the East and saw Muslims, but not Islam.” ― Muhammad Abduh

“I went to the West and saw Islam, but no Muslims; I got back to the East and saw Muslims, but not Islam.” ― Muhammad Abduh

This was posted today on Ladies Who do Lunch In Kuwait's blog.  She's amazing and I adore her.  She has many of the same perspectives on life that I do.  I'm happy to see this post.

Muhammad Abduh argued that Muslims could not simply rely on the interpretations of texts provided by medieval clerics, they needed to use reason to keep up with changing times. He said that in Islam man was not created to be led by a bridle, man was given intelligence so that he could be guided by knowledge. According to Abduh, a teacher’s role was to direct men towards study. He believed that Islam encouraged men to detach from the world of their ancestors and that Islam reproved the slavish imitation of tradition. He said that the two greatest possessions relating to religion that man was graced with were independence of will and independence of thought and opinion. It was with the help of these tools that he could attain happiness. 

He believed that the growth of western civilization in Europe was based on these two principles. He thought that Europeans were roused to act after a large number of them were able to exercise their choice and to seek out facts with their minds.[15] 

His Muslim opponents refer to him as an infidel; however, his followers called him a sage, a reviver of religion and a reforming leader. He is conventionally graced with the epithets “al-Ustādh al-Imām” and “al-Shaykh al-Muftī”. In his works, he portrays God as educating humanity from its childhood through its youth and then on to adulthood. According to him, Islam is the only religion whose dogmas can be proven by reasoning. Abduh does not advocate returning to the early stages of Islam. He was against polygamy and thought that it was an archaic custom. He believed in a form of Islam that would liberate men from enslavement, provide equal rights for all human beings, abolish the religious scholar’s monopoly on exegesis and abolish racial discrimination and religious compulsion.

Abduh regularly called for better friendship between religious communities. He made great efforts to preach harmony between Sunnis and Shias. Broadly speaking, he preached brotherhood between all schools of thought in Islam. However, he criticized what he perceived as errors such as superstitions coming from popular Sufism. As Christianity was the second biggest religion in Egypt, he devoted special efforts towards friendship between Muslims and Christians. He had many Christian friends and many a time he stood up to defend Copts. During the Urabi revolt, some Muslim mobs had misguidedly attacked a number of Copts resulting from their anger against European colonialism. Abduh also had meetings in Baghdad with the son of Baha'ism's founder and then spiritual leader, Abdu'l Baha, who he had a generally positive view of - although it was asserted by his students that he was unaware of the extra-Quranic religious scripture or status of Baha'ullah as a prophet in the faith and viewed it as a reformation of Shi'ism.[17]

Abduh's collected works have been compiled and published in five volumes by Muhammad Imarah.

Original post by Ladies Who Do Lunch In Kuwait Blog:  https://ladieswhodolunchinkuwait.blogspot.com/2017/11/i-went-to-west-and-saw-islam-but-no.html?spref=fb

Animal Rescue Resources and Shelters Kuwait

So after a rather shitty morning, I was on my way to the office when I stopped at the light at the end of  highway 50 (I'm American - we go by numbers).  I was about 4 cars back and saw something flapping around on the road.  It was a kitten that had been hit.  People in surrounding cars were just staring at it, dying a slow, frightening and painful death.  No one made a move.

This is why I'm really really really starting to hate humans.

I put my flashers on, got out, ran to the kitten and brought her back to my car.  Little boo shuddered and died in my arms.  I stopped and said a small prayer for her and cried.

I talk to the animal rescuers in Kuwait and most of them are women and most of them are physically sick.  It's because of the stress they endure day in and day out by seeing animals in pain and many intentionally tortured.  These ladies never have enough money.  They don't go on vacation.  They don't buy stupid, useless crap like designer purses or expensive cars.  All they have goes to the animals.

Most of the rescuers use Instagram to broadcast immediately to the public if animals are found or lost or hurt (so they can beg for donations and help).

Sometimes, I just can't look at the pictures.  It hurts my SOUL.  Like Paul;  terribly traumatized and the only survivor of 3 dogs which were buried alive up to their necks and left to die in the open desert.  Or this week, the dog with a heavy chain embedded in his neck, locked on with a padlock.  Or the countless number of dogs and cats that have been shot and are paralyzed and dragging their hind legs on the street.

The horror is immense.  And I'm so sick of some saying, "That doesn't happen in Kuwait."  YES IT DOES.  That and worse.

If you can donate to these wonderful people help the animals, please do. Don't assume that other people are already doing it.  Many times, they don't receive any donations at all for lengths of time.  Money is always great, but if you can supply items like the following, it is a step in the right direction:

Cat/Dog Food

Bedding

Cleaning products

Pet toys (new or used)

Leashes, collars, pet carriers (new or used)

Here is a list of animal rescuers and/or shelters.   

Note that KSPATH is formally closed.

Instagram accounts with contacts:

Enlarge to view.  Please forward.

If you can't donate, volunteer.  Get your kids involved and volunteering.  It is a great opportunity to teach compassion and the dignity of life.

If someone you know finds a sick or injured animals, tell them to contact one of these groups!!!  Don't leave the animal out there to suffer alone.

Qatar Airways doubles the cost of pet transport fees

I'm boycotting them because I'm an animal lover.  Maybe all those who are animal lovers should consider doing the same.

Sorry, Qatar Airways, but that is just not compassionate and you've just lost a customer.

Kuwait's Foreign Resident Sword of Damocles: Deport, Deport, Deport!

Constant threat to foreign residents for deportation. The Kuwait version of the Sword of Damocles!

Every week for I can't remember how long, there have been new proposals and laws issued to deport foreign residents.  This week: more than 5 (minor)  traffic violations and you're deported.  Please - tell me what other country in the world deports you for traffic violations?  If the US or UK mandated this law, there would be no more Kuwaitis left in those countries. 

We should all change our salutation from, "How are you?" to "Deported yet?" 

Here is my take: 

Who leaves Kuwait first? It isn't the poor who probably either have their passports "held" (illegally,  I might add) by their sponsors or who just can't afford a ticket (or otherwise) to go home. So, we are looking at educated, high-paid professionals who are probably adding to the economy of the country in many ways; and adding to the future of Kuwait in other ways. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot, Kuwait! Droves of professional Westerners are leaving Kuwait these days - people who have called Kuwait HOME for years. Almost all of my Western friends (professionals) have either left or are planning to leave Kuwait within the next year.

No one is looking into the economic impact of this mass exodus. MPs are just spouting hatred and "deport" to gain support for their own personal agendas/monetary gain. The true LEADERship of Kuwait should put an end to this nonsense.  Enough!

Sheikha Awrad Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah

I don't have English transcripts for it yet, but apparently yesterday Sheikha Awrad spoke out against xenophobe MPs Safa Al-Hashem and others and their plans to eradicate Kuwait of foreign workers.  She stated (again, no transcripts, but from what I have heard) that these MPs are not working in the best interest of the Country, but for their own best personal interests (suggestion is monetary gain).

I applaud her.  Someone finally had the balls to stand up to these people!!!

Unfortunately, before today, I knew nothing about this Sheikha and I am glad that I was able to do a little research on her.

“A leading charity work activist in Kuwait . Known as the mother of bedoons since the start of her humanitarian missions in 2003, seeking fairness for this group whose members were not given the Kuwaiti citizenship . Announced donating one of her kidneys to one of the bedoon patients in celebration of the Kuwaiti organ transplant society in 2006 . One of the most well known public figure for defending the rights of non-citizens ( bedoons) . Founding member of the life foundation which is a foundation specialized in assisting terminal cancer patients especially bedoons . Hold the title of the mother of bedoons dear to her heart."

Equality for foreign residents

My friend mentioned a quote by the late Sheikh Zayed of the UAE (God rest his soul) regarding expats (I refer to us as “foreign residents” as the term “expat” has become a term in Kuwait synonymous with all the problems in the country).

“Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan was told that 85% of the workforce in the UAE is made up of expatriate workers, he said:

The livelihood is from God, 

the money is God's, 

the land is God's, 

the grace is God's, 

we are all God's creation, 

and he who has trusted God will never be failed, and those who come to us are welcome.”

THAT IS LEADERSHIP.

I hope that the latest Kuwaiti government to be sworn in will have similar fundamental beliefs.

Kuwait 2020: Re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic?

Are former US Ambassador to Kuwait, Deborah Jones’, remarks about the future of Kuwait beyond 2020 coming to fruition? 

Wikileaks leaked a report that Ambassador Jones sent to the Department of State in 2010.  My favorite quote was that Kuwait is, “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”  It is a fascinating perspective and one that I’m sure she didn’t want to become public.

Deborah Jones was Ambassador to Kuwait from 2008 through 2011.  I admire the her. She is a tell-it-like-it-is kind of person with a sharp wit and dry sense of humor.   She speaks fluent Arabic, regularly frequented diwaniyas and political gatherings, and had an in-depth understanding of Kuwaiti culture.

Ambassador Jones’ report was brought to my attention by a friend and former Kuwaiti MP who believes Kuwait is headed in the direction predicted by Amb Jones. (As he stated, "I'm worried about securing the future of my children and grandchildren.  I've bought a home in Europe.")   You can read the full report and perspective pieces regarding the report at:

https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/10KUWAIT134_a.html

http://news.kuwaittimes.net/pdf/2015/oct/27/p06.pdf

https://www.pressreader.com/kuwait/arab-times/20170507/281663959918563

Why I would leave Kuwait

I've been in Kuwait for 22 years this past month.

In 1990/91, I volunteered with Citizens For a Free Kuwait in Washington, DC and ran a not-for-profit organization called Kuwait Link to try to assist in any way I could towards the liberation of Kuwait and the assistance of the Kuwaiti people.  When the 100-hour war took place in 1991 to liberate Kuwait, I struggled to go along with my Kuwaiti friends. I wanted to fight.  But I couldn't; I was the only American with the group of Kuwaiti female interpreters that were going to basic training and then on to Kuwait. I was a liability as an American. So I stayed.  And Kuwait was liberated in a blink of an eye.

I came here first in 1993, to look around and then I settled here in 1996. There were very few single American professional working women.  I knew of only one other and learned about her only much later.  Most American women were married to Kuwaitis.  In the States, I had been engaged to a very nice Kuwaiti man, but I knew we just weren't meant for each other. (We are still friends after 33 years.)  He wasn't the reason I came here:  I came here because I honestly fell in love with Kuwait and Kuwaiti people on my visit (I sobbed most of that first plane ride back to the States.  The BA air hostess hugged me and comforted me!).  The people were kind and hospitable and caring.  I had a cold, one of my friends would rush over to take me to the hospital.  Literally.  I was alone, they would come pick me up for family lunches.  I needed something, my Kuwaiti friends were always there.  Always.  They never asked for anything in return and they did it out of kindness and love.  The expression was, "they have a white heart."

I found a job before I came here.  I worked at a subsidiary of an Islamic bank which asked me to wear hijab in the office.  It was a unique insight into the lives of ladies who do choose to cover.  I learned quite a bit about their decision and I respected them and the dignity they held.  Of course, my wearing of the hijab was forced and so my heart was never in it; but I did try to be modest and respectful; even waiting an appropriate amount of time in my red sports car to pull it off at the end of the day and drive home.  I'm glad I had the experience.

In the 90's, people in Kuwait still had time.  You had time to meet your friends; share a stikana of tea or a plate of foul for breakfast at the beginning of the work day.  You had time to meet for weekend lunches.  No one had smart phones.  The few who did have cell phones had Alcatels and Nokias or more likely, pagers.  We weren't on them all the time because calls were expensive.  It was cheaper to get paged and stop by Sultan Center to use their free public phone.  Family meals with Kuwaitis were loud and festive with kids running in and out.  It was a time to tell stories and share laughs.  Everyone paid attention to each other.  There normally wasn't even a television on (as at the time, Showtime and Orbit were the 2 satellite providers and not only did most people not have them - it was considered expensive at that time - but their programs were limited).  KTV wasn't great and and they weren't on all the time.  So you were forced to talk to each other.  And it was nice.

In the 90's as a Westerner, you could walk down the street and people would stop to chat with you; maybe ask you where  you are from and what you are doing in Kuwait.  They were kind and friendly.

As the years passed, things started to change. In the early 2000's - particularly after 2003 when the US went into Iraq and Saddam was ousted - being a Westerner (especially an American) wasn't such a great thing.  Teenaged kids hadn't been taught much about the Gulf War and how the Allied forces had worked with Kuwait towards liberation.  People hadn't wanted to relive the past by talking about it, so when 2003 rolled around, America was frowned upon for "invading a neighboring Islamic country," Iraq.  Iraqi music was played again throughout Kuwait.  US and British flags were no longer sold on Liberation and National Days as they had been in the past.  Time had quickly moved on.

Now we all have smart phones.  Everyone is too busy to see each other and when we do, we all bow our heads to the Smart Phone Gods and spend far too much time in the cyber world than we do finding out what is happening in each other's lives.  My lunches at Kuwaiti friends' homes are pretty much along the same lines. Kids no longer run through the rooms, laughing.  They are too busy on their phones.  We are all too busy at work to stop and chat over tea in the morning and God forbid someone should bring in breakfast; it might be seen as the end of our work ethics.

Note:   back in the 90's and the early 2000's - there were only a handful of Kuwaiti restaurants.  Now Kuwait is flooded with them.  Both parents work these days and it is much easier to order than to spend time cooking. 

When I see old friends, many want to talk about business.  What we can do to make money.  What other people are doing to make money, etc.  On the rare occasions when I receive invitations these days, I always have to stop to question the motives.  Why do they want me there?  What will the discussion turn to?  Who wants to do business with me/US?  Rent their house to a Westerner?  Import a car from the States?   What will the pitch be?  I can't just relax and let my guard down.  It can't be about having fun and catching up (for the most part.  I'm speaking in generalities.  I know my closest friends and they are without ulterior motives; which is why I have limited myself to a tight-knit inner circle.)

My long-time non-Kuwaiti friends (Western professionals) are all but gone now.  A few still remain, but are planning to leave.  My best friend left Kuwait this year after 30 years here.  Her Kuwaiti son is a diplomat and has no plans to ever return to Kuwait.

Why?

I can't say that there is just one reason, but a collection:   It is just uncomfortable here now.  It is as if the Sword of Damocles hangs above your head and you are in constant anxiety that something bad is about to happen (not terrorism or DAESH or any of that):  Expat anxiety.   People used to have parties or gatherings and be happy. There was a quality of life.  You used to be able to go for a walk or leave your house to go to the grocery store without being anxious as to if you forgot your ID and may be sent to a deportation center for not having it with you.  Deport, deport, deport.  For everything from a traffic violation to (it seems recently) jay walking.

You can't own property as a foreigner in Kuwait, so you spend decades on what could have been mortgage payments.  There are plans to limit the amount of time foreigners can live here to 10 years.  For those of us who love Kuwait as a second home (and have even fought for the country in various ways), this is insult AND injury. Every non-Kuwaiti person must leave Kuwait eventually.

People have been willing to leave their own countries to come to live in Kuwait and we are blamed for many problems that would exist here with or without us. Like traffic.  If I had an extra few billion dinars right now, I would create safe public mass transportation (where women wouldn't be groped and hoodlems wouldn't be allowed on to throw rocks at passengers for fun).  I would even use it to get to/from work (as I use it in Dubai).  I would create toll lanes on the highways (for all - not just for "expats").  But, it isn't my money and I'm not a decision maker.  Why should I, as a foreign resident in Kuwait,  be blamed for a failing system that could have/should have been fixed decades ago?

Foreign workers did not miraculously appear out of thin air:  we were all brought here to work.  We all go through a rigorous visa process.  Someone at some time wanted us here (and as long as your visa is valid - they still must).  (Illegal visa traders, of course, are the exception.  They don't care as long as they are making a profit from selling visas  They are the same breed as coyotes who leave Mexican illegal immigrants in the desert for their own profit.  We all know who the Kuwaiti coyotes are, but little or nothing is being done to stop their illegal human trade.)

I'm not a guest in this country.  That term is belittling and I refuse to use or respect it.  If you are a guest, someone picks you up a the airport, takes you home (free of charge), feeds you, gives you some clean towels and shows you where your bed and the bathroom is.  Maybe gives you a glass of water before saying goodnight.  They probably cook your meals and give you desert after dinner.  I'm not a guest.  I get none of that.

I'm a resident of Kuwait. I make my own living and my own dinner.   I add to the economy of this country.  I have bought several cars while in Kuwait, paying interest (or "profit" in one case to an Islamic lending bank).  I have leased cars. I bought furniture and goods in the local market (often paying much higher prices than I would in my own country).  I pay my rent on time to my Kuwaiti landlord (for the past 22 years).  I pay my electric bill.  I pay for satellite TV. The list goes on and on. Who benefits from that?  Kuwaiti merchants.  Not foreign merchants:  KUWAITI.  Take away the foreign residents and you take away from the economy of the country and fellow Kuwaiti country men/women.

This is why the xenophobic politicians spouting expat hatred these days infuriate me so much.  They seek their 15 minutes of political fame, but at what price?  To the cost of the Kuwaiti economy.  Citizens might agree to the ideology in the short term (Kuwait for Kuwaitis), but when the economy begins to wane and the thousands of new tiny apartments remain empty and no one is spending on services or products, the tide may quickly turn.  (I just learned that Audi sales, for example, are down by 30% over last year. Granted, that is a luxury brand, but I wonder what other auto brands are suffering.  The political instability for expats is creating spending fears.)

One of the biggest issues today in Kuwait is the over-extended Kuwaiti healthcare system.  I love it that Kuwait has had virtually free healthcare, but I have used it only twice in 22 years.  Once was not by choice:  I didn't want to be transported to a government hospital when a young man on drugs crashed into my car.  I would have preferred a private hospital.  For that matter, I would have preferred that I would be allowed to donate my portion of the free health care to someone in need of it.  My employer pays 100 KD/yr in my name for something I refuse to use as I get private insurance through that very same employer. It is wasteful and unnecessary.   Further, it disgusts me to see law makers differentiating between ill patients via their nationality.  I always firmly believed that Islam doesn't differentiate between humans by color or country or religion.

I have been here over two decades now.  I haven't seen many changes in healthcare.  Why aren't there more qualified Kuwaiti doctors?  Is it that the system isn't retaining them?   Is the country not educating young people or helping them to become doctors?  Are they leaving?  Why are Kuwaitis still being sent to Europe and the US for specialized healthcare?  This isn't a new subject. I don't see the now-empty hospital waiting rooms as a good thing for anyone.   If the fees are increased so much that poor sick expat people can't afford to go to the hospital, doesn't that actually put more Kuwaitis at risk for catching communicable diseases?  The sick aren't going to hospitals for fun or because it is low-cost.   If you're sick and can't afford to go to a doctor, you are more than likely to suffer in silence.  Why did they put the cart before the horse?  Devise a low cost insurance alternative first; or force employers (sponsors) to pay increased public insurance fees. 

Let me get off politics and get back to my story.

I think what really changed my attitude about living here was what happened to me in 2015.  You can read the full story in older posts here, but I was living in a house that was owned by Kuwaitis. They were so inhumane to me that I started to loose faith in Kuwaiti people all together.  I never knew that there could be Kuwaitis that were so full of hate.   I now chose my circle of friends with a lot more scrutiny.  I have been very selective about what personal information I give out.  I reference check landlords and even people I do business with.  I never would have considered doing that when I first came here.  I had such faith in the society.  ... It's gone.

It seems that the joy has left the country.  The activities that I used to find peaceful and relaxing have been ruined by internal invaders:   Go to the desert and pick out a completely isolated spot, only to have people roll up in 4x's, pitch a tent right next to yours and put on loud music all night.  Go to the beach in an isolated spot (even if it is by boat) and you will find people show up next to you and put on a show to attract attention.  Where has the decency gone?  What about privacy?  Respect?  Even the quiet things have been ruined. Cultural mores are a thing of the past.  Everything and everyone is fair game for entertainment and self-gratification.

For years, I have helped promote Kuwait to people (mostly Westerners)  transitioning to life here.  I've made a lot of friends and answered a lot of e-mails:  I've posted about the attractions, things to do, places to see.  Where to go to find a home, where to go to buy or have furniture made. Where to buy a car.  Where to send your kids to school.  What doctors, dentists, mechanics, hair salons I would recommend.   All of this amounts to promoting the local economy; of helping Kuwaiti businesses that I like and believe in.  I have taken great pride in it, but recently I have found it more difficult to maintain my positive outlook.  And to respond to queries for recommendations.

Its hard to stay positive and to help others when the same people that you are promoting could potentially be lumping you, a foreign resident, into a singular "expat" group that they may secretly desire to be expunged from the country. The recent political climate has polarized the country and created divisions and suspicions and questions.   Unless I have a personal connection to businesses or services, I am now reluctant to promote them.  How do they really feel about expat-me?  Is that "deport" word in the back of their mind?  Do they feel the right to be in line first because of the differences in our nationalities?  I question if I should help or not.  Part of me says, 'Stay true to yourself and believe in the good in all people," but every day a new expat law or proposal becomes part of our lives, limiting personal freedoms and rights; bringing my morale down a notch or two.  Am I promoting the same people who stand behind that type of discriminatory behavior (and sadly, I have found that some of my dear Kuwaiti friends actually harbor that type of mentality)?  Should I just remain quiet and stop assisting?

I don't even want to go out anymore because of the amount of road rage (and NOT by foreign residents).  And construction that will lead each of us to road rage (no signage/no warning of changes in routes, for example).  People no longer look with kind eyes.  People no longer want to help each other.  I've always believed that what you give out is what you get back; smile and a smile is returned.  Not now.  Smile and you receive a scowl.  People will just wonder what you want from them. 

So all this, and with all my friends leaving or gone, these are the reasons why I would leave Kuwait should the day ever come. And that is tremendously saddening to me as I have loved this little country for over three decades; the country that used to have a white heart towards all the people within its borders.





Disclaimer:  I don't publish hateful comments (and in the past few years, I unfortunately receive more and more of these).  The comment that is the most concerning to me is, "Go back to your country."  This is a statement made by people without the intellectual capacity to make any other remark or have any valid reasoning.  They are the type of person harboring the hatred and discrimination that I have just posted about above -  and I choose not to further promote their ideology by publishing it.

Kuwait Cost of Living - 2017

I follow "Kuwait Expats Lifestyle" on Facebook and they mentioned a cost of living list for Kuwait for 2017.  I disagree with many of the prices.  I think they are below the averages here - especially if you take into account the lowest prices will be in co-operatives - which have higher prices than those listed.

What do you think?  Check it out on Expatistan HERE. 

I did my own back in the day when I had more free time on my hands.  These days, I really don't.

Model Weddings

Wedding Hostesses provided by www.mrs-show.ae

I responded to a post on Facebook from a woman in Kuwait looking for Western model-looking women to hostess/waitress at weddings in Kuwait part-time.  I immediately thought that this will be a trend that will catch on in Kuwait; especially with the elite.  It is the female equivalent of having a British butler, if nothing else for a conversation piece for those who have attended.

I've been to many Kuwaiti weddings in the past 22 years. Most of the servers are from the Philippines. This was literally the first time I've heard of anything like this in Kuwait.  But it made sense.

I see it as diversification.  Wouldn't it be racist to assume only one nationality or a group of people from only one area of the world could accomplish the task of being a wedding attendant?  If people are qualified and want to do the job, why not?

On the Facebook post thread, some of the comments were by people (women!) completely opposed to having "models" at weddings (and keep in mind that Kuwaiti weddings are segregated, so women would cater to women).  The opposition seemed to be towards attractive models. The main theme was that this is "far from Kuwaiti culture."  Why?  Because its new?  It isn't as if the bride was importing male Chippendale strippers to serve food to female participants.  But even if they were, it is up to the wedding participants (bride/groom/family) to determine what they want to do at their own private venue.  They could ask for circus freaks if that's what they wanted.

Are other women insecure of beautiful women?  Aren't weddings - especially Middle Eastern weddings - full of beautiful women; women who have spent most of the day getting more beautiful at salons?  Would women be insecure of beautiful foreign women at Kuwaiti weddings because maybe (and I'm just throwing it out there) lovely models would take some of the limelight from the potential mother-in-laws, there to scope for potential mates for their sons?

Ironically (as I've found many timing situations in Kuwait to be), immediately after I responded to the post, a friend in Dubai who owns an event management company (www.mrs-show.ae)  contacted me because her company was booked for a Kuwaiti wedding with Western models and two had backed out at the last minute.  She was desperate to fill size 4 uniforms (which were black jackets/skirts) with beautiful, tall, slender women (and no - I in no way make the cut).  I made some calls but it is sketchy when you call all your friends the night before a weekend asking, "Yo, Flan, I need 2 beautiful girls.  Can you help?"  But my friends know - I've asked for stranger things, so now they kind of bear with me till the end of the conversation before they laugh.

If I were the bride, I would like to see beauty (and professionalism) at my wedding.  Because I'm weird, I would even put them in fairy costumes, complete with wings (covered-up version of a Victoria's Secret fashion show?) and ask them to flutter about the room, with me being the bride fairy princess.... Yeah.... it could happen....

Of the weddings that I've attended, the women of the families usually escort ladies to seats.  But they get busy, don't they?  The next line of assistance are the waitresses in uniform and for the most part, they are not professional and can't answer questions.  I would assume that professional wedding ushers would be trained and competent in their jobs.  And they would probably even assist with a courteous smile.

In addition, the models (hostesses, ushers - whatever you would like to call them) get paid for these (all-female) events.  Its a chance for them to make extra money. It is really no different than having spokes models at a car show or grand opening of a jewelry store. Or a flight attendant.   What's the big deal?  Sexist?  Perhaps. But we're talking about a wedding, not an arbitration or financial summit.  Not like the wedding guests are going to form a panel on climate change and pose interview questions to the hostesses.

And why western women and why bring them in from a place like Dubai?  Well, they are not party crashers.  They're not going to go out and talk about what happened behind closed wedding venue doors - no potential for gossip - especially if many Westerners don't understand Arabic that well and if they are brought in from somewhere else, they probably won't know anyone else in the country.  Its an interesting aspect.  Kuwait is a small country.  Everybody talks.

I can see this becoming a trend at upscale weddings. Many new things are controversial at first.  I'm grabbing my popcorn and watching to see how this plays out.

Sign the petition to Ask Qatar Airways to Help Large Breed Animal Owners and Rescues

When Lufthansa stops flying directly from Frankfurt to Doha next month, humans aren't the only ones who will be affected. It's now going to be more expensive to fly large dogs out of Qatar.

To prevent pets from being dumped when their owners leave the country from good, five local groups are now asking Qatar Airways to change that. 

     - VZW Rescue Salukis Middle East -RSME (on Facebook)

Animal rescue organisations in Qatar come together to lobby Qatar Airways

The recent airline changes to Hamad International Airport has left pet lovers and animal rescue organisations in a huge predicament. With no other major airline allowing medium-to-large sized dogs to fly to or from Doha, current pet owners residing in Qatar, families with pets looking to relocate, and rescuers and animal lovers who dedicate their time and efforts toward animal welfare, find themselves left with no desirable options due to airline pet travel restrictions.

Until March this year, there were a few options to export larger dogs (>22 kilograms) from the country. KLM was the dog rescue lifeline for these larger dogs as they had a very generous upper limit and they allowed three dogs as accompanied baggage. Accompanied baggage, as opposed to cargo, is significantly cheaper. Qatar Airways only allows dogs that weigh under 32 kilograms; this includes the crate which normally weighs between 10-12 kilograms. (Some of the popular breeds - Huskies, German Shepherds, Salukis, and ‘Doha Specials’ - weigh an average of 20-30 kilograms as adults.) Qatar Airways is also double the price of KLM and Lufthansa.

Lufthansa was then only remaining option. They weren’t nearly as generous as KLM, with a smaller allowance, size-wise (no giant crates), and only allowing three dogs in total onto any one flight. However, dog rescuers and animal exporters had to suffice with this and continued juggling to get their larger size dogs out with this airline.  Now, as Lufthansa will cancel their Doha flights from October 27, large dogs will not be able to leave Qatar as excess baggage.

Alison Caldwell, Co-Founder of Paws Rescue Qatar commented: “As it stands now, no dogs over 22 kilograms will be able to leave this country as excess baggage. The repercussions are utterly devastating. They are devastating not only for rescuers, but for those who have their own large breed dogs in Qatar and want to leave with them. Rather than budgeting roughly 2,500 QAR for a dog to fly excess baggage, they’re now going to have to shell out +/- 20,000 QAR.” (US$5,300/KD1,600).

“With an epidemic of dumped animals as it is, Qatar will likely now see more of them than ever before. For dog rescuers, raising the money needed to get dogs to their forever homes is difficult enough with excess baggage costs, so raising ten times that amount is just not possible. In the end, it is the dogs who will suffer immeasurably – a total injustice for innocent beings that are only in the dire situations they find themselves because of humans in the first place.”

Qatar Airways is a world-class, award winning airline, its services consistently supersede all others and its endeavour to be the best has made it the exceptional airline it is today.

Qatar Airways has not just proven to be invaluable to those living and working in Qatar, it has fast become a fierce competitor and necessity for those travelling around the globe.

Qatar itself welcomes millions of employees from around the world. It offers a safe and wholesome alternative to those seeking greater comfort and success in their lives and careers. It has embraced so many families that it is home to many expatriates and animals are some of our most beloved family members.

Qatar does its best to pass laws and regulations to better accomplish full animal rights.

As a nation of majority expatriates, we bring our pets with us when we relocate, and we take our pets with us when we leave.

Like every nation there is always a need for rescue groups; there are hundreds of animals awaiting homes, animals of all shapes and sizes.  Qatar has provided full support and encouragement to rescue organisations around the country; rescues that have been very successful in the rehabilitation and relocation of animals around the world. This has proven possible due to the tremendous support from the nation and its love for animals. Now that other airlines that allowed larger pets to travel as excess baggage are discontinuing their services from Doha, families, animal lovers and rescue organisations in Qatar face a harsh dilemma.

For an airline that is already the number one choice for so many people, rescue organisations are urging Qatar Airways to expand their invaluable service and update its excess baggage pet travelling policies while still remaining affordable.

Source: ILQ News 

SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

Kuwait's landmarks of childhood disappear By Nawara Fattahova

Below is an article on a subject I have thought of often - especially driving around Salmiya.  Kuwait is changing fast and many of our old landmarks have disappeared.  It's unfortunate, but a sign of "progress."  Personally, I liked the old, laid-back Kuwait of yester-year (and by that, I mean even 10-15 years ago).  Even before that, I remember the gender-divided restaurants (which were FUN because they actually had more flirt-appeal).  Bachelors sat on one side and families on the other.  I remember buying a shawarma for 250 fils!   And families with kids had plenty of places to go. But now it seems like the country that was referred to as "kid-friendly" is loosing many of the kid-friendly places.  

Like the trees in Kuwait, places are being chopped-down, but not replaced.

Good article, Nawara!  You stated what a lot of us are thinking.

Kuwait's landmarks of childhood disappear

By Nawara Fattahova

Kuwait Times

It's a sad feeling not being able to go to places we used to enjoy visiting when we were kids.  Change is a part of life, but when the change removes most or all of your favorite entertainment places and stores, it hurts.  The trend started by demolishing Showbiz, the most popular entertainment park in Kuwait during the 1970s and 1980s, before Entertainment City was built in Doha. The place also housed a mini­zoo, pony rides and other attractions. Green Hill opposite Showbiz disappeared much earlier.

Then came the demolition of one of the two complexes of the old Salmiya Souq on Salem Al-Mubarak Street. This complex had many of my favorite shops including Waleed Toys, Family Bookshop, Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor, Hardees fast food and many others. Ten years after it was razed, a new building is being built and the entire street will change in the future to become a promenade where cars will be banned.  At least the complex on the opposite side is still standing, so some childhood memories are alive, although the popular toy store disappeared after the liberation in 1991.

The drive-in cinemas, which were not available anywhere else in the region, were also demolished. The main one on the Sixth Ring Road was replaced with 360 Mall. The other smaller one was in Ahmadi. Many other cinemas disappeared too, including Salmiya Cinema next to the post office and Abdulhussein Abdulredha Theatre, AI-Hamra Cinema that used to be in the place of the AI-Hamra Tower, and Garnata Cinema in Khaitan, which has been replaced by a mall.

Last year, Entertainment City, which was the first and largest of its kind in the GCC when it was built in 1984, was closed for maintenance. Rumors swirled that it would reopen after a few months, but this didn't happen.  Some unofficial reports said that it will be demolished completely and rebuilt and may reopen in 2021.

The other popular entertainment park was Shaab Park on Gulf Road. This park suddenly shut down last month due to a dispute over its license and some other legal issues.  It seems it will surely be gone, and visitors of this park have lost the many rides, ice skating rink, roller blading, pony riding and the only bungee jumping place in Kuwait.

Children now can only play in small entertainment areas in some malls that are not attractive to teenagers and young people.  Or they can go to public parks, which many find boring and unsuitable to visit in this hot weather. Where wiII their childhood memories of Kuwait be created?

School Locking up Female Teachers

I just heard a story that an "English" school in Kuwait has been locking female teachers in their accommodations. This is illegal and considered a human trafficking violationp. If it is happening to you or someone you know, report it to the police and your embassy.

Dear Expat-Bashers

And I might add:  Specifically those in law-making positions:

Kuwait National unity law number 19/2012,  includes “criminalizing any form of agitation and incitement of public through any means, instigating hatred and disdain towards any sect, initiating sectarian or tribal crises, and publishing ideologies to encourage racial, class or group discrimination or the superiority of a certain race, group, color, origin, doctrine or lineage to others.” The law also penalizes whoever commits such a crime by “a maximum of seven years in prison and/or a KD 10,000-100,000 fine.”

What are your intentions, young man?

Well, I should say, "older man."

In my 22 years in Kuwait, I've had 2 relationships where I was head-over-heels, madly in love.  That's not to say that I haven't had other relationshits, but these 2 were the biggest and meant the most to me.

It's easy to find "love" (or a perception/idea of "love") in Kuwait.  When you first come here, if you are dating someone from the Arab culture, you are charmed by all the flowery words, even poetry, that you hear.  They make it sound as if they've never seen a woman like you.  But you quickly realize that that's the culture: everything is OTT and you're not so special.  All the females are special.  And princesses.  You're just girl-of-the-moment waiting to be won over (and most likely, inevitably "screwed over" at some point in the future).  The same flowery poetry that he's quoting to you, he's quoting to the next few females he calls or texts.  Or picks up in his car driving down the street.  Or meets in the mall.  Or at work.  Or standing in line at the co-op.  Whatever.

When I first came here, I loved the hunt.  I wasn't into anything serious.  It was fun (and an ego boost) to go out and see how many numbers that I could go home with.  More than likely, never to be called.  It was a game.  Hunting on the Gulf Road on a weekend night with my BFF was what we looked forward to.

But somewhere either I got older and more jaded to it, or realized what a tiresome and even cheap game it was.  It  lost its appeal. I didn't care about the ego boost.  The novelty had run its course.

So, I met the occasional potential through going to parties with friends.  But that lost it's lure too.  The music was too loud.  The smoke was too thick.  The lights were too low.  You couldn't talk to anyone and even if you did, they were more about hooking up for the night with the hoochies in the room than talking to respectfully-dressed good-friends-of -their-good-friends.

And my good guy friends who had guy friends kind of put the block on anything. Their guy friends wouldn't go near me for fear of offending my "brothers."  They would sit there and give me longing eyes all night, ask a few questions about me and then I might or might not see them the next weekend when the group got together for barbecues or whatever.  It took me a long time to realize that I wasn't the one with the problem (was I too ugly or too something or what?); potential guys weren't talking to me because it was ayeb:  the Arab brother respect code.

So, back to my story about intentions and the 2 long-term relationships:

The Man:  He showed me his intentions within the first 2 months of meeting.  "I WILL marry you."  Followed by a ring.   I had met most of his group of friends by then.  To be followed by his family - including his sisters (mother and father were dead).  We started talking about having kids. We lasted on/off for about 6 years, but we had a major issue:  He was already married.  (Say what you will about me, but she knew and I like her a lot.)  I just couldn't do the second wife thing and the logistics are really hard!  We tried for a while, but it just wasn't happening.  To this day, I love his kids and we send messages once in a while. His wife is a dear person and I wish her well and I hope that they're happy.  He and I no longer speak and that is probably for the best.  Although I miss his advice and his sense of humor and perspective on life.

Why was he different?  Because he made me feel secure from the start.  I was included in his life with family (even though ok it was weird by Western standards).  Some of his friends didn't approve of our relationship and he stood up for me.  I felt secure with him.

Mr. Clean (who I later referred to as Mr. Dirty or something like that):  He showed his intentions within the first 2 months of meeting also.  This time, he didn't ask me to marry him, he started with his father, the head of the family.  Then I was invited to their home to meet everyone (and to get their approval).  I think inevitably, his father loved me more than Clean ever did.  We hit it off immediately and he told Clean to marry me.  We dated on/off for about 3 years, but we had a major issue:  He is a cheating, lying, money-stealing asshole.  (Tell us how you really feel, DG.) I caught him at too many things.  He eventually got away with around 2,000 KD of my money which I haven't been able to recover, and asked me to buy him a Lexus.

Why was he different (in the beginning)?  Same reason.  I was not only included, but immersed in his family life. His sister was a best friend.  All the little kids in the family loved me.  I knew his whole extended family and they all accepted me.  It was about security.

So here I am now.  I have someone in my life that doesn't make me feel secure. This guy literally walked through my door with a big smile on his face.  He is a cousin of my dear friends.  It started off like a honeymoon, but at this point,  I don't know if his parents even know about me.  "When someone tells you who they are; believe them":  He has also told me that he doesn't want to get married for 10 years.

And look - let me just stop right here and say that I'm not a big fan of marriage.  I sincerely admire people who can make it work, but I haven't seen a lot of that and I can only pray that I'm that kind of person who can make it work.  But I know I have a short Aries/Irish fuse and it isn't always pretty. Regardless:  It's about the intention.  It is about knowing that you want to be with someone for the long run (regardless of the "type" of marriage or how it will turn out).

So when I don't get the security I want, my mind and my heart start to wander.  Faith is a bad thing to lose in someone. It has a domino affect that makes other pieces fall.  He has redeeming qualities:  He's faithful and loyal and my family loves him (he's Arab-American and works for my family's business). He's got his security, but I don't.  ... and he's starting to fall off my radar.  And that's where I'm at.

Disclaimer:  After  Clean,  I took a vow to stop having relationships and concentrate on my dog and K9 training. To set the story straight:  My dog is still the most important man in my life.

Female Expat Beaten at Animal Hospital

I don't know if you've seen the film clip being circulated on social media, but it is a short video taken in Royal Animal Hospital in Rai.  A man in dishtasha was arguing with a blonde lady at the reception desk, when he suddenly spits in her face (not once, not twice, but three times) before taking off his aghal and hitting her with it.

Lovely and oh so respectful.  To a woman.

Then, other staff members joined in trying to usher the man out of the hospital lobby, wherein the man's wife suddenly jumped in on the action and started beating people.  Classy.

All of this is recorded on a variety of their CCTV cameras (his furious face clearly visible)- and turned over to the police.  The man has since been arrested and the whole country is abuzz over how despicable his actions were.

Person held for beating receptionist in animal hospitalArab Times KuwaitKUWAIT CITY, July 15: An unidentified person wearing the national dress has been detained for interrogation for beating a female receptionist at a hospital in Kuwait that is taking care of animals, reports Al- Qabas daily. The incident has been recorded by the hospital’s surveillance camera. The man appears angry and is seen asking something to the receptionist before attacking her and other hospital staff with his Oqal. The man reportedly got angry when the receptionist, angry at the man’s behavior asked him to leave. It is not known why the man turned angry.

So here is my point:  If the people at the highest levels of lawmaking (parliament members) in the country are going to incite hatred of expats, I expect more of this type of behavior from the dredges of society who have now been validated to express their racial hatred publicly.  (I can say the same of the top politicians of my own country as well of course.)  I do find it rather ironic (appropriate even?) that the 2-legged animals chose to manifest their violence in a 4-legged animal venue, however.  The 4-legged animals were well behaved and did not partake in the mayhem.

God save civilization.

Canine Clubs in Kuwait: Trash Talk and More

I'm not naming names, but OMG the drama that goes on in the dog clubs in Kuwait.  I try to equally promote different canine clubs and activities because I think everyone is working towards the same goal: education and promotion of the sport in Kuwait.  They've made huge strides over the years and there is a lot more dog-ownership and subsequent service business operation in the country.  But... everybody talks trash about each other.  It is constant.  In general (like many other aspects of our community), there is no unity.  It is sad. And it is occasionally just downright vicious.

There is a huge row going on right now and legal action is being taken.  I'm going to be intentionally vague but I'll give you a metaphorical anecdote as to the situation:

Once upon a time, there was a shop owner.  He bought the shop and paid for it with his own money. Kept it running for years.  Everybody enjoyed the benefits of the shop and people enjoyed visiting to get advice.   Over time, several people volunteered at the shop.  Perhaps some of the visitors even liked the volunteers better. They did great work.  They brought in more customers.  Everything was going well until....

The volunteers decided to take over the shop and claim it as their own.  They went to (the equivalent of) the city council and said, "We held an election and everyone decided it is ours now." and suddenly, the shop keeper was no longer welcome in his own place.

Now, it is great that the volunteers are doing so much.  Everyone welcomes their hard work and dedication.  However, if the shop is not yours; why not just open another shop and go into friendly competition?  Why is it necessary to use the same branding as the man's shop and to push him out of something that he has built, paid for and is legally his?

As a strong believer in karma (and hey "what's right and what's wrong" for that matter), I'm waiting with popcorn in hand to see how this is going to play out.  Such drama. Such a small country.  I'm rooting for the shop keeper.  At the same time, I hope that the volunteers will start their own organization and get on with it.


August 2, 2017 Update

So now there are lawyers in both Germany and Kuwait involved.  Karma may come sooner than expected for some.  And it is getting nastier.  Fake social media accounts have been created with photos taken from others' Facebook accounts.  Bad accusations, etc.   I'm watching with popcorn in hand.

Labor Hotline: Kuwait Society for Human Rights

Arab Times
July 12, 2017

KUWAIT CITY, July 11: Kuwait Society for Human Rights has launched a “hotline 22215150” to raise awareness of migrant workers in Kuwait of their various legal rights and duties. Khalid Al-Hamidi, Chairman of the board of Kuwait Society for Human Rights, said that the hotline operates in five different languages: “Arabic, English, Filipino, Hindi and Urdu” in order to receive as many inquiries as possible about labor laws, ministerial decisions and legal procedures to protect rights.

He pointed out that this contributes to the reduction of abuses and violations that occur against migrant workers. He also added, “Through the hotline, legal advice can be sought as it will be answered by specialized experts and it provides a service of responding to all the migrant workers’ questions on laws and procedures concerning labor rights”.

He pointed out that the hotline received many complaints, including: “cancellation and transfer, recovery of passport, claim for financial dues, final cancellation of travel and a number of problems faced by migrant workers.” He said that, during the past period 802 complaints have been received of which 259 are of cancellation and transfer, 175 of claims for financial dues, 122 of passport recovery, 78 of malicious absence, 68 of work suspension without payment, 46 of final cancellation of travel with claim for financial dues, 38 of violation of contract items by the employer to increase working hours more than stipulated in the Labor Law and 16 of work injury. He noted that the complaints were distributed according to the language into “243 in Hindi, 101 in Urdu, 306 in Arabic and 152 in English.” 

The hotline is one of the activities of the project “Together to educate migrant workers in Kuwait”, which is being implemented in partnership with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kuwait to educate workers in Kuwait on their legal rights and mitigate the violations they face as most of them result from the workers’ lack of knowledge of their rights.

--- end ---

I think this is a great step in the right direction.  It's also fabulous that a foreign country (The Netherlands) has stepped in and helped implement this project for Kuwait.  Outstanding work.

Tanfastic Salon

The former owner of Tanfastic Salon, Maja, asked me many years ago to stop by and I never did.  Maja has sold it and moved on.  Last night, I finally went in for a mani/pedi and spray tan.  They're located right behind Fanar Mall in Salmiya.

It's a nice salon in black, white and grey colors, with half a dozen professional pedicure chairs with massage.  Those chairs are a huge selling point for me.  I literally hate being bent over a tub of water to have someone do my feet.  It is much more relaxing to be able to recline and have the chair massage me.

I asked for a French shallac mani and a regular French pedi.  Great job on the hands.  The feet - not so much.  Two different ladies working on feet and hands. I don't think the pedi lady knew what she was doing.  She put on one coat of base first and then the white line.  She seemed totally mystified when she went back to do the second base coat, covering the white line, as to why you couldn't see it anymore.  WTF?!  I've also never had a pedicure when Vaseline was applied on the wet nails directly after.

Great Shallac mani.  No issues. She knew her stuff.

There were several other customers coming and going and the mani/pedi took FOREVER to finish because these 2 ladies were the only ones working there!  They constantly stopped to answer the phone or to help other customers.  I have a feeling if Maja was still there, things would have gone differently.

The spray tan was probably the best I've ever had anywhere on any continent (in terms of product).  Streak free and the lady (same one doing the pedi) has 8 years experience.  I didn't come out orange and the coverage is great.  I had a few small issues with the procedure - mainly that it took so long and I had to stand naked in front of a house fan for 30+ minutes, left alone, until it dried. Also, something to think about:  If you are large-breasted, you're going to need to bring a tube or strapless bra to hold up the girls to have the undercarriage sprayed; otherwise, you will end up with "D" shaped white areas underneath.  Not cool.

The main issue that I had with the spray tan was the environment.  Holy shit.  The room itself is fine, but the door they have is frosted glass with lines of transparency through them.  And no door lock. I was more exposed at this salon than I ever have been at my GYN's office, so the least they could do would be to have decent privacy for customers.  While I was there, other customers were walking by the door and looking in at me holding up the twins, buck neked.  To make matters worse, anytime the spray lady walked out of the room, she obviously got great joy in leaving the door open so anyone walking by could see me standing there - either holding my boobies (for an hour in total) or spread-eagle standing in front of the fan.  That is just WRONG.  (If you go there, bring a roll of masking tape so  you can cover the transparent parts on the door.)   I shouted at her finally to close the door and so she then left me standing there for (no joke) 40 minutes while she went to change out of her uniform to go home for the day (no doubt, SHE changed somewhere with better privacy).  It is a large salon and there were no other customers so I guess she didn't hear me calling her.  A lot.  And loud.

Spray Lady recommended (3-4 times actually) that I get into the UV tan machine to dry off the spray.  I explained to her (3-4 times actually) that skin cancer runs in my family and that if I didn't go out in the sun because I don't want to destroy my skin - why should I get into a UV tan machine??  Right.Over.Her.Head.

Sidenote:  Women (mostly Kuwaiti) who go to the UV tan machine more than the recommended 15 minutes per day:  Are you fricking CRAZY?!  Do you know how bad that is for you?  Do you have any idea how bad you are going to look later in life (that is IF you survive the cancer)?  OMG.  There was one woman who came into the salon and the workers told me that she comes in 2 times a day for 30 minute sessions.  Her skin is going to look like leather.  And then they're going to have to cut out those basil cells with a scalpel and she'll have big chunks of skin missing.  I had no idea that people were still that stupid.  But hey - nothing should surprise me anymore.

So now I have a dilema; go back for more great tan (with a roll of masking tape and something to keep the door closed), or never to return.  Does anyone have recommendations of other spray tanning salons that are good?

NO Import

Former friend who shall remain nameless cause I can't stand her.... (Oh yeah - I recall that I referred to her as "Mare" because she looks like Mare Wittingham, the actress... anyhoo...)   When she dumped her x-boyfriend, he got in touch (I suppose so I could be his one girl support system).  Boo hoo, she did him wrong.  Took money from him.  Dumped him.  He should have known better as he said.  He was warned by her x, x-boyfriend..  Yada yada.  (Yuh, he shoulda known.  He's married with 2-3 kids - I can't remember, but married.  Dumbass.)

Never met the guy in person for his therapy sessions.  Never wanted to, but listened to his drama for a while before he found another girl (I'm sure) and didn't need the support anymore.  Whatever.  Yawn.

So, once in a while he gets in touch.  I assume because he wants something. (This time, about a year since I last heard from him...)  It all starts like this, "How are you?  How's your family?  How's your job?  Is everything ok?" (interject some more chit chat BS small talk conversation here.)  Then, they finally get to the point.  Maybe during the call.  Maybe on the next call.  But it always comes....

So he texted me.  "I'm shy to ask you this, but can you help me with something?"   They're always "shy" (so why f-ing ASK?!)  Then, much later, they finally get to the point.  I had to wait an hour (musta thought that was a respectable amount of time between the introductory text and the actual voice call...)

"Can you help me with something?"
'Inshallah'
"You make me more shy with 'Inshallah"
'Kheir, inshallah.'
"C'mon!"
'Maashi.  Allah Kareem.'

THIS is how you should answer those in dire need (of something really stupid that they haven't gotten to yet),  It is the standard response to put a favor-beggar in his/her place.

(Yawn)

"Do you have a contract with the Army?"
'Why?'

Here
It
Comes
Hold on.....

"Can you bring in sex toys for my friend?"  (Yeah riiiiiight - your "friend")

What
The
Phuck?!
It's Ramadan!  It's bad enough that he's just totally insulted me in several ways, but... It's RAMADAN - and the last few DAYS of RAMADAN.  Have some respect.

(I didn't want to ask what KIND of sex toys.)

So he went on and on about, "You're American.  You can't bring them in?"  I'm like, 'You're a Kuwaiti ranking officer in the police force.  YOU can't bring them in?'

Technology is GREAT.  BLOCK/DELETE.



(Disclaimer:  To the best of my knowledge, the US Army does NOT import sex toys.  But if they did, it would make trips to the PX just THAT much more fun!)

Just go out!

Since my Rumaithiya Apartment Ordeal of 2015, I have become somewhat of a hermit.  My apartment isn't really what I would want it to be for entertaining.  Small living room.  Kind of weird entrance....  very quiet building where I can hear my neighbors and I'm sure they can hear me....  My former apartment was da bomb for gatherings and having people over.  No question.  It had a lovely terrace and a huge open plan living/dining/kitchen area.  It was in the basement so no one could really hear me.  Easy private entrance where no one could see comings and goings.

Note:  I still hate those former landlord people.  I shouldn't carry that negative energy around, but I do.  If they had only told me that they wanted more money, I would have paid it.  I paid 450.  I would have gone up to 7.  Monsters!  You didn't have to threaten and terrorize me!  Anyways, bygones.

Really, I see what that did to me.  It put me into a kind of PTSD where I am worried about who I can and can't trust here.  And I didn't want to socialize anymore. When you go through some really awful, traumatic stuff in your life, you immediately find out who your friends are and who they are not.  The people that I thought I could trust and depend on the most suddenly disappeared or inflicted additional drama on me.  I lost who I considered to be very good friends in 2015.  And I consider it all a blessing.  The truth may hurt, but at least I saw it.

Cut to 2017.

I get invited by friends or distant friends or even acquaintances quite often.  Most often, I turn down the invitations in favor of staying home in the peaceful comfort of my apartment with my dog and my cat. Yeah, that's some old lady shit, isn't it?  But it's true.  It doesn't take much to push me out of my comfort zone these days; even something as silly as, 'How far do I have to park away from your house?'  And then if it is too far or too inconvenient,  I find an excuse.  I'm making constant mental excuses to just stay home all the time.  And that's wrong.

I'm an active person (ok, well, used to be.  I guess mid-2016 was kind of my cut-off point for activity).  I used to go to parties. I used to go to business functions.  I used to do a lot of things.  (And I used to have a lot more to post about here.  When you are doing routine things like K9 training or surfing Apple TV for movies, there really isn't a lot of material, is there?)

Now, I reason in my head about how much traffic/road rage there will be just leaving my neighborhood. Should I really bother?

Recently, while at my favorite salon, Mirror Mirror, I met the new Executive Director of the American Business Council of Kuwait, Teresa.  She was kind and bubbly and literally talked me into attending an ABCK function.  I hadn't been in several years.  The owner of Mirror Mirror, Wendy (who has become a really dear friend) said she was going as well and wanted me to join her (she ended up paying for my ticket and I thought that was so sweet!).  Anyways, I went and saw people I hadn't seen in years.  I had a great time.  It was held at the Millenium Hotel and it was my first time there.  The food was FABULOUS and I was really impressed by the hotel.  And - BTW - the ABCK has changed a lot.  There is a new female Chairwoman and it is no longer the old white dude in blue suit organization that it used to be.  They have a lot more activities and the whole vibe was good.  Thank you, Wendy and Teresa, for pulling me out.

That was my first social outing.  Baby steps, Desert Girl....

My second outing was last night.  Kim (from Ladies Who Do Lunch in Kuwait blog) has been inviting me for (no joke) maybe the past 3 years.  Being Hermit Girl, I found excuses when I could have just pushed myself to go.  Last night, I accepted a dinner invitation and I'm so glad.  She's got a lovely family and her apartment was more like a comfortable villa somewhere.  It was gorgeous and the whole night was lovely. I'm so glad I went and even though we talked for what - maybe 5 hours - I still felt like I could have continued (but had to work today!).

These occasions have given me hope for myself.  Maybe all is not lost.  Maybe I can actually  push myself to do more.  It's a start.