Kuwait's Sea Life

Yes, this was taken in Kuwait (not by me)

I thought I had posted this before, but looking through my archives, I can't find it anywhere. I used to write a lot of freelance articles for various magazines and newspapers around Kuwait. This story has been published before (so it is a wee bit dated, but most of the information is still accurate). It was written at a time when I had a wonderful editor, Tim Waddell, who I miss.  He and Sue Day both 
 made me a better writer and I miss working with).  

I thought it would be a good time to whip this article back out, as it is dear to my heart and  with the summer quickly approaching (one day it will be 60F and the next 110F - that's summer in Kuwait).  

Some have said that Kuwait is one of the "unfriendliest tourist destinations," intimating that perhaps people won't want to "Go See Kuwait".... Well, unfriendly as some aspects are to tourism, Kuwait is still an interesting place to be discovered by many (and by many of us who live here and haven't seen it all).  After all these years in Kuwait, I still learn something new here EVERY day.  Your environment is what you make of it.  I don't think that it is a secret that I love Kuwait.  I think everyone should see it through new eyes.

GO SEE KUWAIT!   - - -

Most Westerners picture Kuwait as sand and camels; perhaps recently as a semi-dangerous country along the front line.  I will always associate Kuwait on the still sea at sunset; a heavy smell of salt and oil lingering in the air and a pinkish mist coming off the water, as curious sea turtles pop their heads through for a brief moment of contact.

I have had Kuwaiti friends in Washington, DC,  for many years.  My interest in Kuwait was flamed by different people from different walks of life;  diplomats, business people, housewives, students.  All shared the same commonality; an intense love for a little country.

My closest friends turned out to be fishermen.  I had always lived around the ocean, but I wasn’t much interested in water; the type of waters where  I grew up (in Rhode Island in the North East of the United States) were deep and turbulent; scary to a kid. I grew up with images of “Jaws” in my head, as the filming site of Martha’s Vinyard wasn’t very far from where we were.  The different variety of stories I heard from Kuwaiti fisherman intrigued me;  strange and uncommon fish and what sounded like an abundance of them at that, turquoise-blue waters that sometimes looked like glass.

My favorite fisherman story, recounted to me while I was in Washington and which captured my curiosity,  was that of a mysterious creature that lived in a sunken ship. Four men were there that night – my friend, Reyadh Al-Banna, was with them. Fluorescent lights shined in the water to attract more fish. The

boat was anchored next to the shipwreck; an oil tanker with the stern sticking out of the water close to the international maritime border between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait;  split apart on a sand bar in the early 80’s and empty of cargo.  The sea air was hot and thick. Mist surrounded the area and there was no sound.  They were pulling up the lines as fast as they could bait them. The fish mysteriously disappeared; then reappeared for no explainable reason in an ebb and flow.  No one spoke or questioned it, but wondered silently to themselves why it was happening.  Suddenly, Reyadh looked down at the water and lost his breath.  The night air became frighteningly still and quiet; He couldn’t speak. He pointed frantically towards the water.  The fishermen turned and saw the creature;  A face about 3 to 4 feet across with a nose described as “pushed in” and the eyes bulging on the sides, starred  back at them from the depths.The vessel was 18’ long and the creature was longer.  Reyadh cut the anchor,  the boat drifted out of reach and they raced back to the shore.

I, and not the creature, had been hooked.  I had to see that shipwreck someday. I had to see the sun on flat waters where dolphins and tortoise and thousands of fish swam. Fifteen years later, I was there.  We went to see the wreck on a choppy day. I went with a strong-willed British friend who is was eager to dive at the site. When we arrived, he changed his mind.  It was eerie.  We all had the same feeling and didn’t want to be there.

Kuwait’s sea life is amazing:  tortoises, dolphins, sea rays, lion fish, whale sharks, barracuda, and an amazing assortment of both tropical and larger fish like grouper and tuna.Unless a Western person knew someone with a boat, or ventured to find one of the many rental boats or day trips, this valuable part of Kuwait would be overlooked.

There are eight interesting and diverse  islands in Kuwait:  Warba, Bubyan, Failaka, Awhah, Maskan, Kubbar, Qaruh, and Um Al Moradim. (For a list and map of Kuwait islands with GPS coordinates, see LINK HERE.)  There are many types of tropical fish around the islands and the coral should not be missed by divers visiting the area. If you throw bread into the water at sunset, thousands of multi-colored fish surround your boat to feed. At sunset, the water has an “oily” look to it and turns a shade of pink.

Summertime in Kuwait, you can find almost every type of Kuwaiti from any walk of life on Kubbar Island.  Approximately an hour’s boat trip from Kuwait City, Kubbar is a tern sanctuary, but is commonly known locally as a Friday picnic island. Small boats to very large luxury yachts race to get there after Juma prayer – and there is struggle for a mooring space unless you arrive at Kubbar in the morning and stake out your space.  Kubbar is to Kuwait what Sunday picnicking is to America; food is prepared, put into thermos containers or coolers for the trip; either sandwiches, chips, and fruit or if you are really lucky, a home- cooked fish and rice meal (motabbag simich).

Qaruh Island

The ultimate mooring is to position the back of the boat facing the island with about 20 feet of water between.  Umbrellas are set up on the shore and everyone has cool drinks in the water. It is like a small, watery back yard.     People  talk and greet friends in other boats;  some play music, many rip around on jet or water skis.  A recent addition to Kubbar pass-time is the mechanized parachute for interesting displays of aeronautical maneuvers.    At lunchtime, offers are always made to surrounding boats (neighbors) to join – even if you don’t know the people.  As longtime Kuwaiti fishermen like Abdulwahab Al-Tahir insist, “At sea, you care about others who are there with you; what you have, you share.”  This may come in the form of food or assistance – it doesn’t matter.

At 4:30, it is time for the Kubbar fashion show.  Everyone retreats to the water and watches Kuwait’s variety of pretty ladies strolling around the island.  Bathing suits have become smaller and smaller as years go by; On Kubbar, you may think that you are on a small island in the Mediterrenean, rather than in a conservative country.

Um Al Moradim (the Southern-most island of Kuwait) is much more quiet.  It was recently disputed by Saudi Arabia, wanting to claim the island as their own. Occasionally, there are arguments between Kuwaiti fisherman and the Saudi Coast Guard or Customs officials.  Kuwait maintains a Coast Guard post on the island.

Um Al Moradim has a thriving rabbit population.  Years ago in the late 1980’s, bored Coast Guard men brought a pair of rabbits out as pets. Now, thousands of huge rabbits inhabit the island;  the size of the fabled and elusive Western American “jackalope” (minus the antlers).   The rabbits are so abundant that you can pick them up and they readily eat any fruits or vegetables left for them.  There just isn’t enough vegetation or to go around;  the government has plans to humanely take the rabbits off the island – donating some to schools and others to homes.

Um Al Moradim has a nice surprise for night-time swimmers:  phosphorescent algae.  This phenomenon has been documented in other parts of the world, but is not well-known in Kuwait;  Any movement in the water creates  tiny lights like “fairy dust”, similar to that given off by fireflies.  On a starry night when the moon is full,  it is magical. The water is clear enough to see the sea floor and hot as bath water.  The sky is a blanket of stars and the lights from the mainland shore and the off-shore oil rigs twinkle in the distance.

Qaruh is the spot of choice for nesting sea tortoises.  Surrounded by  a wonderful array of coral, it is difficult for larger boats to navigate to, therefore not popular with the masses.  During several months of the year, oil creeps up from underground wells and boats become black with tar; a lingering smell of oil in the air also makes it unpleasant. If you are lucky enough to get to Qaruh when it isn’t  oily,  you will see incredibly blue, clear waters with an amazing assortment of fish and jellyfish.  Dolphins often come within arms reach of the boat.

Sea smuggling is a problem for the Kuwaiti government, which limited the number of allowable engines on a boat to 2, as faster boats are more difficult to catch. Coast Guardsmen and customs officials are eager to catch smugglers as they are often awarded bonuses for catches. There was a story of Russian diplomats years ago who were also divers: They were diving in an area close to Um Al Moradim for no particular reason and came across several crates of contraband alcohol on the sea floor – most likely thrown overboard by escaping smugglers.  They didn’t want to bring the entire cache to the surface for fear of being caught. Instead, the kept the latitude and longitude coordinates (via GPS) and every now and then would go out to their “store” if they needed a bottle for a dinner party.

The fish in Kuwait are less in number than they have been in the past, according to fishermen. Almost everyone owns a computerized fish finder,  brought to

Kuwait in the 80’s. Spotting the fish finder owners is easy: large groups of boats gathered on single spot, trying for the same schools of fish. Pollution from various sources (including raw sewage, washing of tanker hulls into the bay, and littering) is also adding to the diminishing sea life and an increase of algae problems in the bay.

I have had the good fortune of knowing Kuwaiti fishermen at a time when Kuwait’s sea life is still abundant. Without them, I think I would still be afraid of the water instead of swimming in it. I would have missed too much.

My friends at Al Boom Dive Center take weekend trips to the islands.
Whether you dive or not, it is a great experience.

My favorite island is Um Al Moradim, the southern-most island in Kuwait.  I love to be there after the other boats have gone; staying from sunset to feed the fish cheese puffs (looks like they are playing basketball as thousands of little yellow fish pop the cheese puffs out of the water trying to bite them); until after dark when there is a moon and you can see clear to the sea floor.  After almost 18 years, I'm ashamed to say that I've never been to Bubiyan Island, but there is always somewhere else remaining to discover.

There is a very good book on the varieties of fish in Kuwait (with photos) titled, "The Coral Reefs and Coral Reef Fishes of Kuwait"  available for free download in .pdf format HERE.  (Actually, the site has a lot of downloadable books in English for free.)

Kuwait's Tent Market

I went to the tent market last night to have a canvas cover made for my gate door which leads into my yard.  I've had one on there for several years so that the neighbor's kids can't see in and discover I have dogs and start playing with them (or worse).  The kids thought they owned the place when I first moved in, and the canvas cover has really helped. Before I came up with the canvas idea, I debated a lot of options from building a screen to putting up accordian exterior doors (KD 500 - 3000 depending on materials).  For KD 5 at the tent market, it was a no-brainer (and something that I can easily replace and won't do any structural change to the house).

Anyhoo, I love this market and I've never seen a Westerner there.  The above is a crappy picture taken from the car.  I need to go back there and take more photos during the day.

If you're even remotely thinking about camping next year, the summer is the time to buy a tent at the market.  you can bargain and they have all kinds and sizes (they even have some small enough for me to put in my back terrace - It would be a great idea for kids.  They also sell the fabric for shading (as above) if you have a yard or patio you want to shade from the sun this summer (it really helps - especially as the plants tend to burn).  Or covers for outdoor furniture, or whatever.  Tent dudes sew on-site.  They also sell the traditional Egyptian tent fabric (which I wish they would sell more of in Kuwait in different colors - so cool!)


The tent market is behind LuLu Hypermarket (off 4th Ring Road and 55 in Rai) and down the little road from the Friday Market (and close to The Avenues if you need a major landmark).  If you aren't terribly adventurous, you can drive through it to check it out.

Happy Dog

I took my boy to the beach this weekend.  It was the 2nd time he's ever seen the sea, so he was a little happy (Mashallah).

It was such a gorgeous day.  I went with my camp buddies and came back so relaxed.  I will be back down there for sure a lot this summer.  

I used to take Desert Dawg to this very same beach when she was younger and she never played in the waves.  Now, she's so blind, deaf, and frightened by even the smallest things that I don't dare take her too far from home.  She's just too fragile at 17 years old.  She runs around my apartment, but I think that's just because she knows where all the furniture is.  (For that reason, I've been too afraid to re-arrange anything.)  Poor little thing.  I'm just trying to make her as comfortable as possible.  Mike has taken over all her old toys; she's not interested in anything but her food and her favorite wool blanket.  I love that little dog so much and it is so hard to see her fading.  Almost 17 years is a long time for a dog to live, so I've been blessed.

Anyhoo, Mike came along at the right time.  It is so different to have a big dog again.  I grew up with big dogs. He's so strong and athletic and it is going to be fun to take him places.

Oh ok, and something I want to say:  I've been seeing a LOT of messages on Instagram and Facebook for people trying to get rid of their pets.  Most commonly is, "Please help us in re-homing (Flan) as the mother has decided she no longer wants animals in the house."  My standard answer is always (and will always be "Re-home the mother.")  Deciding to take a pet is a responsibility.  You are teaching your children responsibility.  You don't just teach them that it is ok to dump your responsibility when you no longer feel like taking care of it. Piss-poor parenting.   Pet ownership should be (and is to me) a life-long commitment (for the full life of  the pet).  Now that the cooler/camping season is over, you will see a lot of pets being dumped.  It was fun to have them outside and play with them (as puppies/kittens) and now that it is going to be hot and the animals are a little older, people are looking to get rid of them.  THESE PEOPLE DISGUST ME.   (End of sermon.)

Anyhoo, I had a great day with my big, hyper-puppy.  Hope all y'alls had a nice weekend too.  Wasn't the weather amazing?

Mikey's Obedience School Orientation

I joined a group on Instagram called Group German Shepherd Dog Kuwait (group_gsd_kw).  They have gatherings every Saturday afternoon at Messila Beach from 2:00 to 4:00 and post photos of the events. They look like a totally cool group of people and I've been trying to get over there to see them in action.  Everyone is invited.  I wrote to the group admin guy and asked him if he could recommend a good trainer (as he is a hyper 5 month old and I can't wait to get him into school).  I've been interviewing schools and trainers for a while now.  (This is nothing!  I interviewed 6 dentists before having my root canals done.... Its what I do.)

Group GSD immediately got back to me with a contact for GSD_Q8 Kennel (add BU_NOOO7 on Instagram for contact details).

This is what happens when I try to take a shower. (He now also answers to "A%&hole!"  So wrong.)

Last night, I drove up to The Kingdom of  Kabd to check out the facility for Mikey. They primarily train German Shepherds and working security dogs.  

I told them that I wanted to talk to them before leaving my dog there, etc.  We had coffee outside in cool weather with lots of dogs barking in the background.   They were LOVELY people and I felt completely confident with them.There were other trainers around bringing out happy dogs. They answered all my questions immediately and sincerely with confidence and direct eye contact.  

Usually if you leave your dog at an obedience school, they keep him for about a month and you don't get to see him.  These guys have another philosophy:  Every dog is different.  Every dog requires a different training schedule. There is no reason why an owner can't visit the dog or take him out for a few days. They don't use punishment with the dogs, but rewards, and that training must continue when the owner takes the dog home (so they must also train the owners).   So, I will pay the fee and it will be on-going (and the cost is less than other schools I've spoken to).  

The trainer, Peter, is from Slovakia and showed us his personal dog that he brought with him; a really beautiful and intelligent GS.   I asked them how they train and if they ever have to hit the dogs.  The guy literally sucked in air and said, "Of COURSE not!" (THAT is the response I was looking for!!) ; and then brought out a dog that had been trained by another trainer operating in Kabd (I'll just call him S for Sadistic - also the first letter of his real first name.  San&*s), who has been known to beat dogs into submission.  The female GS was a beautiful animal, but cowered every time a command was given.  It was heartbreaking.  They said that she will never be the same, but they were trying to rehabilitate her.  

What is really ironic is that I have had S's number on my phone for months; it was given to me by someone who told me that he is a great trainer.  I just never called.  I called these nice guys at GSD_Q8 Kennel instead.  And for 3 years running back, I have had friends with a farm right across the road from S's training center.  They kept inviting me there to see the dogs and I was always reluctant (and shouldn't normally have been as I love dogs and usually am happy to go visit them).  God keeps me out of trouble and I'm always thankful.  I would have never forgiven myself if I had given Mikey to someone like that and they had broken his spirit.  Seeing that poor cowering dog last night broke my heart.  I can't imagine how her owners must feel.  

The trainer told me what to look for in a true trainer:   He reached into one pants pocket and brought out a tennis ball and a leash.  He reached into the other pocket and brought out dog treats.  He was also wearing a uniform and told me that he wears it so that the protection dogs are familiar with it and know immediately who he is.  (I asked him if he was also wearing Kevlar underpants. He just laughed.)

Mikey will start school as soon as he's had his last puppy shots at the end of this month. He is not socialized around big dogs. (Totally embarrassed me last week at IVH and wouldn't stop barking.  Eeek.  I kept saying, "He's just a puppy.  He's just a puppy."  At 50 pounds/21 kilos, he doesn't look like a puppy.)  He's great with humans (children and adults), small dogs and cats, and my goat,  Paco.  (They had a cat at the kennel who is used to the big dogs and Mikey walked right up to say hello, nose-to-nose.  The cat hissed and Mikey flew back about 5 feet. LMAO!)  Mikey is dying to play with the big dogs so I'm happy about it.  I'm trying to arrange a reunion with Mikey's litter's brothers and sisters.  From everything I've seen and heard about the breeder, he's a wonderful person with amazing dogs.

All this German Shepherd stuff has added so much activity to my life!  More things to be thankful for.  More blessings.  More amazing people to meet.  Mashallah.

Black Market Alcohol Prices Reach Staggering Levels

I would never buy alcohol in Kuwait because it is haram and it is illegal (and I'm a girl and I don't have to).... but I've heard....

Johnny Walker Red Label 1L (the most commonly-found black market alcohol in Kuwait) is now selling for approximately KD 100 (US$ 355) per bottle.  Whaaaaaaaat?! Normal price in the US is around $30.  And the scuttlebutt is that you can't find original alcohol - it is all bootlegged/fake and some people are even said to be selling ethanol colored by saffron and put into original bottles and sold as whiskey.  What's goin' on?! And people are buying at these prices? Dayum.

Johnny is no longer walking;  he's driving a Ferrari (and he's got Skinny Girl seated next to him) because he's making an &%itload of money.

Some wonder why there is now such an alarming drug abuse problem in Kuwait:  PRICE.  It is cheaper for thrill-seekers to get a quick buzz with drugs than it is to buy alcohol.  Hel-looooo.

No wonder Kuwait needs to build a bigger airport.  Thursday nights (start of the weekend) at KWI are no fun trying to get OUT to Dubai.... Our Islamic neighbors allow alcohol:  Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman. They also have flourishing tourism industries.  Hmmmm.... coinkidink?

(Thanks AA for planting the post idea in my head!)

The Era of The Skanky Hook-Up

Arab Times
10 March 2014

Kuwait:  Nude pictures: The Misdemeanor Court, presided over by Judge Abdul-Nasser Khuraebit, sentenced a woman to three years in jail with hard labor and immediate execution for posting her nude pictures on Twitter. The woman, who is unmarried, is said to have posted the indecent pictures to entice a man to commit immoral activities. The man forwarded the pictures to detectives who later arrested the woman. During interrogations, the woman admitted that she posted the photos to lure the man.

----

You know what?  GOOD FOR THE JUDGE!  I can't tell you how many of my female friends with boyfriends or husbands in Kuwait have the same problem:  slutty whores sending them skanky nude photos or posing seductively in some way.   All of those Shoo Shoo's, MeeMee's, Toota's, Sweet(something) all over virtual reality.  ICK.  

Ok, but on the flip (and I've posted about this before), I've received quite a few pictures from men of their (male parts), "to entice me to commit immoral activities."   I've talked about this with other girlfriends and it seems that I'm not alone in the receipt of this type of thing.  It's like a bunch of animals posturing for females.  "Look at me, look at me!"  How BASE can you get?!

It is the era of the skanky, bare-all hook up and I DON'T LIKE IT.  Meet online; send each other nude photos.  Get in, get off, get out.    Romance and dating have gone.  Love has no meaning.  And it's all about the next-best-thing.   

There was a scene in the movie "Demolition Man" (set in the future) with Sandra Bullock and Sylvester Stallone.  She asks him if he would like to have sex with her.  He agrees.  She then hands him a headset and a towel so they can have virtual sex.  I fear that's what the world is coming to.  No connections.  No intimacy.  Just neked pictures and a towel.

Technology is the bitch that you can't slap (unless you get busted, I guess.)

Kudus to you, Judge Khuraebit, for giving a little decency back to Kuwait.  I look forward to seeing more of these cases in the news.

13 Year Old Arrested and Later Freed for Participating in Bedoun Demonstrations

Arab Times, 6 March 2014

13-year-old freed on bail: The Juvenile Public Prosecution released a 13-year-old Bedoun, identified as Ali Al-Habib, on KD 200 bail after listening to the statements of the officers in charge of the case. Case files indicate the teenager was arrested for participating in the recent Bedoun demonstrations.  Sources revealed he cried in front of the prosecutor, saying he was not aware of the purpose of the demonstration.

Bedoon/Stateless Charity Organizations in Kuwait?

Does anyone know of any charity organizations (in Kuwait or outside) that provide assistance to the Bedoon/Stateless people in Kuwait? For example, donations for scholarships, schools, tuition, home assistance (food, furniture, etc), for Bedoon children, legal fees, etc? Please pass this along and help me answer this question as it is a humanitarian effort and important for companies (CSR) and individuals to become involved with. 

I have a list of the Bedoon rights groups, but I'm not coming up with anything for charity and I'm being asked by caring individuals.

Don't make it about the politics.  Make it about the people.

This is Taima, Kuwait (yes, this is Kuwait), where many Bedoon people live.  They are basically squatters (for decades) and the government can make the determination at any time to bulldoze the area (there have been discussions over the years about "relocating" the Bedoon in Taima, but to where?)

DG Responds!

I would like to respond to some of the fassssssssssscinating hate mail that I've received lately (in a funny way because it has all been so hilarious that I think I should).  Let's break it down:

"You're desperate and no one is ever going to want you."
Subjective.  Desperate about what exactly?  I have everything I need.  Mashallah.  I write about lots of things - inconsequential relationshit type stuff tops my list because I love to over-analyze interpersonal stuff. It is a pass-time.  I over-analyze; I buy shoes; I  over-analyze some more; I buy some more shoes....  Some people read.  Some people study.  I over-analyze and buy shoes (oh, and these days, I clean up puppy pee).  
As far as "no one is ever going to want you" - I don't know how to answer that without sounding reeeeeeeeeeeally egotistical, arrogant, and downright conceited.   Shall I provide references of those who do/did want me?  In what format?  Access DB?  Excel spreadsheet?   I know I'm blessed (Thank you, God!)  If I wrote about the perfect/hot/super-nice guys I know, there wouldn't be anything to write about.  This is all about the drama, people.

The desperate statement always makes me believe I am dealing with someone sad who is projecting.  Or someone who I've really upset and knows me personally (and yeah, there are a few and one in particular with some troubling mental challenges.  2484-3900, honey!   Call now.  Operators are standing by!)

"Your Camaro defines you."
This one (not exact verbiage, but something similar) was left on Mark's blog and I kind of like it because I've always thought of people who drive muscle cars like mine to be the penile-challenged (ok, I secretly still think this about Mustang drivers, but I'm trying to change my ways).   But hey - I never had a penis to begin with so what to do?  Should my car define me, then I'm somewhere between the Mercedes I drive in the US and a Camaro.  Does the car make you a better or worse person?  Does your watch define you?  Shoes?  A designer bag?  Define me by panties,  if at all (now THAR ya go!)

I will respond to this one like this:  I had a choice of cars that took me years to solidify into an actual purchase.  I love the Camaro. Unlike most of the cars I looked at, the Camaro made my heart go pitty-patter. (And I drove a few Mustangs too BTW.)  The Camaro makes me happy (Mashallah).  When I got behind the wheel, I felt invigorated (or wait... was that just a hot flash??).  The Mercedes is pretty and elegant, but it doesn't give me the same rush I get with that Camaro engine.  Define away.  Je ne giveashit pas.

And I'm not out to prove that I do have a penis by racing you, either.  (Yawn.)

I thought that the misogynistic stereotypes of  what a woman "should" drive went out decades ago.  I guess there are still some throw-backs out there.

"Who wants an old lady who is going through menopause?"
Ok... emm how do I respond to that?  I can say (truthfully) that I'm not going through it;  although my volatile mood swings and hot flashes started when I was 14, so I really don't know.   And who cares??  My "change of life" came when I moved to Kuwait (I've you've moved here, male or female, you too have had your "change of life":  Kuwait:  It's different!) - and it did too involve hot flashes because it is FRICKIN HOT in this country.  Lots of the men in my office get hot flashes and quite a few are really moody;  are they going through menopause?  Hmmmm.

It is quite a revealing statement about the person who would say it:  Que misogynistic!  I've never heard a woman (or girl)  say to a man (as an insult), "Who wants an old man who has erectile dysfunction?" and yet the menopause card is tossed around frequently and freely.  Are they woman-haters to that extent?

"Old lady" is really a subjective statement.  I guess if you're 12,  everyone is older than you, right?  Et perhaps your youthful vocabulary is such that you can't come up with alternative words to cause what you interpret to be emotional damage, perhaps "old lady" is a phrase you might use.  Dunno.  So creative.  They must work in advertising, me thinks.

"You're a racist."
(This spoken by someone I have actually helped through this blog.)   I'm sorry if I offended anyone through any comment I have ever made and I am sure that it was never intentional.  I've been in Kuwait for almost 18 years.  Kuwait is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and backgrounds (and so is the DC area where I come from).  If I were truly a racist, I wouldn't have spent as much time as I have with so many friends from so many different places and walks of life.  I don't use racial slurs.  They (directed towards anyone) insult me.  My mother didn't raise me to be a racist.  She raised me to be a decent person who doesn't see all those peripheral things:  look into the soul to see who the person is.  The soul is what I believe defines a person.

"Go back to your country."
(Picking food from between my teeth while yawning.)  Honestly, hasn't this been said enough?  (Snooze.)  Self-explanatory, really. Lacking in creativity.  Yes yes, I'm a F foreigner and I do go back to my country.  Frequently.  And then I come back here.  And then I go back.  And then I come back here.  Wait... what was the point?  Oh, "go back to  your country."  I get it.

In Summary
There are other nasty common comments, but these are the most common/most recent that I receive.  I don't publish them.  I occasionally respond to them.  In short, these people's approval means EVERYTHING to me.  Yeah.  That's right.  It does.  Live for it, really.  Crave the approval of strangers.  Yup.  (And yes, Expat, you're totally right - it all helps my stats!)

It must be a heavy weight to carry around so much hostility and anger and then to unleash it on a stranger - anonymously.  How bad must  you feel in life to go around setting out to intentionally hurt others?  I can't judge what is going on in other people's heads.  Maybe they're going through horrible things in their life.  Maybe they have been raised to be that way and don't know any better.  Maybe they have no religion or faith.  It is hard to say.  Bless their hearts.

Like my mother says, if you are going to put your stuff out here on the internet for everyone to see, you're going to have to expect some people to hate you.  I guess it is to be expected.  She says you're a nobody until you get a death threat (seems like a lot of bloggers in the US get those, but if it happened in Kuwait they would probably be tracked down and arrested).  

I sincerely believe there are a lot more people who care and are compassionate, decent people. I get a lot of very nice mail from those types and I'm thankful that it tips the balance.  Mashallah.  Thank you, God.

What goes around, comes around: Live life with no regrets my friends and take the high road.

Peace (oh wait... is that an old lady saying?  Dayum.)

Emergency Alert Jewelry: Cuff

Get ready for the wave of the future, my friends.  I saw a story on this on local (Virginia) TV this morning.  This is jewelry that alerts a group of your friends or family members when you are in trouble; providing them with your location.  It is an outstanding idea.  Check out a review on CNET HERE. Another HERE.  If someone is looking for a good stock to invest in, here ya go.

Animal Care - Obedience Training: Post 3 of DG Series

So, last night, I got obedience trained.  (No, pervs, not like THAT!)

Animal Care's behaviorist came over to do an analysis of my beast; now 4 and a half months old.  Mikey is a good dog, really, for his age, but he is really big and coming up on puppy puberty.  He doesn't quite have a grip on house training and he is "competitive" with Desert Dawg (in other words, he bops her, bites her, and herds her like a little sheep at whim).  At an old and wise bitchy 17, she is nonplussed.

Basically, Gill teaches dog owners how to teach their dogs.  Train the trainer.  I learned a lot just by having her observe my home environment and how the dogs interacted.

And, if you are like me (born before the 90's), if you grew up with dogs, your idea of obedience training meant a rolled-up newspaper to the snout.  Gill is into positive reinforcement/force free training which she says resolves the issue rather than masking it.  I think I'm going to need more training on this because I've just been conditioned to bop, not reward.  (Dayum!  Come to think of it, maybe that is the problem with my relationshits too:  Puppy Training 101.)

So like, for example,  when your puppy (or boyfriend) pees all over the floor (chats with bimbo-ho's on whatever app-de-jour he is on), you don't go apeshit and turn all crazy-lady, but reward him when he does the right thing.  "Good boy!"  Huh.  Fascinating.  Actually, Libra was trying to teach me this technique and I just didn't listen....

I'm going to have to get a clicker and some Scooby snacks.

Gill recommends (back to "real" dog talk now) that I put Mikey on a leash as soon as I wake up (or now, as soon as HE wakes me up - which may be at 1, 2 or 3 am) and walk him out to where I want him to do his business.  Reward him with a little treat when he does the right thing.

She said that the competition thing is going to take more work.  Yeah, Mikey herds DD, but then DD instigates drama and often bites him or growls/barks at him.  Gill said that Mikey will take it to a point, but then the drama may turn on her.  I have to be careful.  She showed me some techniques for getting them both to relax and share.  Lots of repetition.  I also have to get between them or learn to walk away when they're not doing what I want (SNAP!  Again, a useful relationship technique that I haven't been able to master!  Yikes!)

So ok, nuts and bolts:    Gill will come to your house and for a meager hourly fee, she will work with you and your dog(s).  She'll give you LOTS of information (I should have recorded it!) and great advice.Gill has only been in Kuwati for 3 short weeks, bless her!  I'm surprised she got to my house as easily as she did.  It wasn't just work for me - we had a lovely chat over coffee and it was comfortable because it was my house.  I could have been in my PJs and she's the kind of person who wouldn't have even batted an eye.  I like her! I'm sure  you will too:  she's just good people.  Good energy.

Gill wants to do puppy classes, so I am trying to generate interest for that (because I want to be involved). She want so do small classes to teach/socialize dogs AND their owners.

She said it isn't just play, it is serious business, as the development cycle for dog learning is the first 16 weeks.  (I didn't know that!  I guess it is similar to a relationship also, come to think of it... You only have a limited amount of time to set the standard.)  That is when they learn some behaviors that may last the rest of their lives.  It is important to get them accustomed to different situations, sounds, textures, animals and kids during this time.  (Thank God I got Mikey out of that cage Puppy Dude had him in!)

Gill wants to educate people on animal behavior and training.  Please help me spread the word about this great service!

Again, if you want info on Gill and Animal Care, check out their website animalcare.com.kw or their Facebook page.  Gill rocks!  Meet her.  Talk to her.


Again, I can't believe I didn't get involved with Animal Care/PetSpa before!  I love K'S PATH and this group is closely affiliated with them.  Why am I so dumb?!  Yeh.

K'S PATH Golf Tournament: 15 March

I do loves me some K'S PATH...

Valentine's Weekend

(Photo:  American Bedu Blog, KSA)

This past weekend, I was at the family's having lunch on Valentine's Day.  Clean/Dirty was there.  Just seeing him makes me unhappy.  He's so fake and such a user.  Fake smile.  Fake laugh.  Fake OTT sincerity.  Empty words.    I wish he wasn't around for lunch (yeah ok - it IS his house, but still - go away).  Everybody gets quiet when he walks in the room, as if they are taking sides with me and then suddenly get busted.  We don't laugh as much when he's there.  Yeah,  just go away and nurse his hangover or his latest bimbo-internet-soft-porn-girlfriend.  Ick.

His birthday was last week.  I have no reason to give him the time of day;  a gift would be far far from anything I would do for him.  I did, however, bring his dad a little gift last week - just because; I wasn't even thinking in terms of Dirty's birthday; didn't care, didn't remember.  Dirty sent me an SMS the next day saying, "Where is MY gift?  It was my birthday!"  So I retaliated with, "Valentine's day is this coming Friday. Where is MY gift?"  He's always trying to get something for nothing.  We're not even together!  He doesn't even like me - say nothing about respecting me!

So, at lunch this week, Valentine's Day, he went out of his way to tell me that it is not religiously correct for him to practice the day.  Oh really?  So the same logic must apply to his birthday in that case, n'est pas?  BAM.  'I'm sorry, but I must respect your religious beliefs so a birthday or any other gift is out of the question.' A-hole.  He uses religion when it suits his purposes.  I guess dating and drinking is ok, right?  Oh and having webcam sex with someone you think is a girl, but later turns out to be a guy is ok too, right?  I pray for you, bless your God-fearing heart!

He was being OTT nice to me (thinking that I would bring his birthday gift when I go to the US this week). Not.  He asked me again about helping him get his visa to the States. (He must have done something really bad or come off as arrogant as he is during his first interview because they said, "Try again next time."  HA!)

... and then his sister told me that she thinks he wants to go to the States because he has a girlfriend there; most likely met over the internet and he wants to go and test the water "try before  you buy" before moving forward with her.  And HE wants me to help him?  F that!  Get internet Barbie to help you.  Yeh.  He's got a lot of balls to pull that with me.  Again - trying to get something for nothing.

I finally met one of his older sisters at lunch on Friday.  She's very very pretty (Mashallah).  I think she might have been a little surprised that I know so much about Islam.  Fascinating.  I guess no one talked about me to her.  Her jaw dropped when I went to leave and put on my abaya and shayla (Bedouin family, Bedouin neighborhood; I respect the family.  The head gear comes off on the highway on the way back from the house.)  Like the mom told me, "He is lucky to have met you.  He may meet someone else (I think they were referring to an American or Western girl), but someone else may not have respected us as much and worn tight jeans or something."

Anyhoo...  Good luck, buddy.  I pray for you. (Lyrics - love that song!)

 (Look what happens at the end:  #17 is my house number in Kuwait! HA!)

Other than that little episode, I had a fan-tabulous weekend with friends.  I can't remember when I've had so much fun.  I returned from Dubai on Thursday, changed clothes, and went to the desert.  Hmood's girlfriend is such a sweet person and gave me a teddy bear, a rose, and a gift (yep - romantic gifts - all from a girl.  And that was it for Valentine's Day.  Maybe next year... sniffle).    Friday night was with the Messila Gang; a lot of dancing and laughing.  Yesterday, back to the camp and had a brief romantic moment with someone I didn't expect to feel romantic about (no, not my goat, Paco!)  Dude makes me laugh all the time.  That's the best place to be:  laughing and happy.  Love shouldn't make you feel like crap, but like you are giggling your way on an orbit around the Earth.  Yuppers.

So, I leave for the States again this week to see my American fam.  I needed a sanity break.  Dubai wasn't meant to be a pleasure trip cause I had work to do, but it turned out to be very relaxing, hangin with Stella and walking around Dubai Marina.  (I was good and I didn't buy shoes this time....)

I met some really nice people in the airport on the way home.  That's another story.  God sends you angels all the time if  you take a minute to notice the signs.

PetSpa - Animal Care: Part 2

I posted earlier about the grand opening of PetSpa in Shaab.  The GM, Lee Williams, sent me a generic blogger invite (get 'em every once in a while) which I responded to (just cause I was in the mood for a nanosecond and slightly energetic.  It mighta been the day after I had my B12 shot).   Anyhoo, Lee is VERY good at PR and invited me to check out the spa and learn about their services.  I'm so glad he sent me the e-mail because this has opened up doors for me.  I've been hearing about Animal Care for years, but I have never checked them out (why did God make me so lazy? There's a reason for everything, right?  hmmmmm....)

(Grand Opening of PetSpa Shaab)

Lee's invitation for grooming was for both dogs. At the same time.  EEEEK!  I was reluctant to have both of my dogs in the car at the same time, but it worked out really well.  They were quiet and well-behaved (probably thinking, "OMG!  What is she doing NOW?!  Why are we BOTH here?")  I could smell the fear. Fear is good.  It means they won't be ripping out the interior of the car - or worse - each other.

Desert Dawg and Mikey still aren't getting along (although it is getting better).  Now they seem to be working together against me; barking at each other just when I'm relaxed on the sofa. Peeing in unison on the floor.  Finding a hidden place to poo when I'm not looking (AND the door to the terrace is OPEN!  Whyyyyyyyyy???)  Mike is now big enough to jump onto my high bed - and push DD off with one bat of his gigantic paw.  That is her Supreme Territory and not allowed.

Back to my story (sorry - I digress....)

So, finding PetSpa is a no-brainer:  Fahaheel Expressway (30) towards Kuwait City, the 1st Shaab exit, then bang a right and it is down about a block on the right.  You can't miss the sign.

PetSpa does grooming at this location, but I am finding out more and more about their services; and I'll write more later about it because I'm thrilled by their pet-friendly education philosophy and overall caring for animals in Kuwait.  I need to actually sit down and talk to them about it all; it was a bit much trying to take it all in with the wolves in tow.

I was very impressed.  Smiles all around when I walked in the door (unlike a few other places I won't mention where the receptionists refuse to make eye contact, acknowledge your presence, or look up from their busy work.  Am I invisible??)   Not at PetSpa.  I swear, it was like walking into a daycare facility (yeah yeah, I know - I don't have kids, but I have dropped my nephew off many times when he was little).  Smiling faces, colors, murals on the wall.    And - you don't have to drive 45 minutes to get there or worry about your dog catching Parvo from something that just walked in from the horrible Friday Market. I noticed immediately how clean the shop is.  Everything was shiny new and they were disinfecting the grooming tables when I walked in.  It smelled clean. You can see the grooming tables from the reception area through a glass wall.  It is a happy place. They also have a little shop where they sell food, toys, and items like leashes and collars (I'm going to have to talk to them about ordering some of those LED leashes and collars - too cool.)

Both the groomers that I met that day are European:  VERY nice ladies and (get this) professional.  Oooo saaaaaa - refreshing!    The head groomer is British and we had a nice chat about why Mikey's skin is dry.  I didn't know that you have to cure internally.  I was thinking I could grab some doggy conditioner or oatmeal shampoo and bam, but no.  She said that even the more expensive dog foods on the market don't have the oils essential to keep dog's skin moisturized here and she recommended putting a little olive oil in his food.   She said fish oil would work too.Huh.  Who knew?  He'll probably love it.  Good to know cause I just plunked down 30kd for a 50lb bag of chow that's making Mike itch and keeping me up all night. Greeeeat.

My 2 wolves took a few hours total to groom (I had lunch with a friend in the meantime until they called me).  Mikey came out with a "boy bandana" on (which he ate in the car on the way home); and Desert Dawg had a pretty pink ribbon in her hair.  I've NEVER been able to get a bow in her hair in the past 17 years that wasn't out in 2.5 nanoseconds, but this bow stayed in for a few days.  Cool.  She looked so preeeety.  I love how they did her little bangs ("fringe" in Briddish!)

I was really happy with the outcome for both dogs.  .... And I totally forgot to tell them not to put on the puppy perfume that other groomers often add.  DD is extremely allergic.  They didn't put any perfume on at all which is probably in keeping with their natural product philosophy.

When it was all done, I got a card with the services they had received on it and 2 follow up e-mails (one from each dog) with before and after photos.  They were so cute - as if the e-mails were written by my little monsters (only in Briddish rather than American English, addressed to "Dear Mummy."  Oh well, my mother always wanted children with a British accent, so maybe now she is getting them with her grand children.  Ha ha.).  Check out the e-mail I got "from Mike":

"OK Mum,

You are soooo right the spa isn’t just for Girls its cool for boys to, I love my new super soft shiny coat and cant wait to show it off to all my friends.

I promise to be a good boy and keep myself clean.

Love

Mike

xoxox"

Sadly, I know Mike didn't write it, however, because we both know he'll never promise to keep himself clean.  Aint gonna happen.  I thought it was SUCH a cute touch, though.  Loved it!

PetSpa also has a mobile grooming van.  Joseph (who j'adore!) who was formerly at IVH works in the van.  He's really good - and loves animals, so he's gentle.

They also have a mobile vet van which I will learn more about later and post about.  Photo courtesy of some other blog I "borrowed" it from...

Like a parent with legitimate concern for their children's well-being,  I take the selection of schools for my dogs very very seriously.  I'm not going to leave them in the care of just anyone.  I was REALLY impressed to know that PetSpa/PetCare's South African behaviorist, Gill (Gillian Pirow), will come to your home for an assessment; to educate not only the dog, but the owner (the Dog Whisperer always says how important this is).  I have an appointment with Jill to stop by and assess Mikey for obedience school this summer.  Lee tells me that Gill has brought a new level of sophistication to Kuwait in terms of dog training (force free training).  I was very concerned about stories (past and present) I have heard from people about supposed "dog training" in Kuwait (often located in Kabd which immediately makes me nervous).  One friend's dog went "missing" and I later discovered that the man she left it to train had been involved in dog fighting.  Another friend's dog "mysteriously died" while in the care of an obedience school (and his body was not,  returned leading to speculation).  I've also heard stories of well-reputed obedience schools in Kuwait that use physical punishment as a way to train the dogs. I am already fascinated by PetSpa's approach and  I can't wait to learn more.

I'll keep you posted as I'm going to write about PetSpa/Animal Care in a mini-series - now that I have "discovered them".  I think it is important as many of my readers are pet-owners and I get a lot of questions from people.

Go get your pet groomed there.  Seriously worth a visit.

Shaab Phones:  5001-5757 / 5001 5858 / 5001 5959
(They also have locations in Rai and Mahboula)

More on PetSpa and Animal Care:  (Note that their website needs work, but they may have done that on purpose - I dunno.  The most informative page is their facebook page. and they are also on Twitter for notifications at AnimalCareKuwai)

http://totallypets.me/?p=1278
https://www.facebook.com/animalcarekuwait

Back the F off! Get out of my personal space!

So there are some overt differences between Kuwait and Dubai, but whenever I come down here, I note the more covert ones:  Like personal space.

I was in a mall in Dubai some time ago and the woman standing in line for a taxi behind me literally shoved her shopping cart into me. Back OFF!

In general, if you don't get out of the way, people will literally walk into you, as if you're not there.  It is weird!  I can't imagine that happening in Kuwait.  Why is it so different here?

As an American, we have a larger personal space than many other cultures.  If people get too close, we get nervous.  I'm much more jumpy about this than I used to be after I got back flu's and colds a few times.  Yuk.  Who wants someone spreading their germs on you?

Its almost as if the people here just don't care how close they get to you.  You're stacked up like cord wood next to each other.  To me, that's just disgusting.  Dude, I don't want to be close enough to smell your breath.  Nas-teh.

Permits? We don't need no stinkin' permits!

Arab Times
11 February 2014

‘Stopping Citizens, Expats At Checkpoints Is Illegal’Legal Permit Must: Judges, Lawyers

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 10: A number of judges and attorneys have agreed on the illegality of the inspection of citizens and expatriates in the security checkpoints without obtaining permission from the Public Prosecution.

They then advised the public not to allow security men to inspect them or their vehicles if the officers will not present the permit, reports Al- Jarida daily.

A judge specialized in penal cases said Article 31 of the Constitution prohibits the arrest or detention of anyone, as well as the restriction of his freedom or home confinement, if the action is not in line with the law.

He clarified the legislator wants to protect freedom of the individual and his rights from the oppression of public authorities, as well as anything related to his private life, unless a legal permit is obtained.

Accordingly, it is not allowed to inspect any person, his vehicle or his accommodation except in two cases; the first is after getting permission from the Public Prosecution or General Investigation Department and second, if the person is caught red-handed.

- End -

In the US, it is called, "Illegal search and seizure."  I've always heard here that the police can not just search your vehicle.  YOU must allow them to enter and you can refuse if you want.  If the officer insists, lock your doors/windows and call 112 and ask for a higher ranking officer to assist.  Tell them that there is no permit from the Public Prosecution and the officers won't let you go without a search.  

I have also heard (and I don't know if it true or not) that some unscrupulous officers have planted items in people's cars because, if they reach their quotas, they get time off work or incentives.  So, be careful out there.  Don't just let anyone who asks (with a badge or not) into your vehicle.

In Kuwait, like anywhere else, you should know your rights.

Valentine's Day "Gift"

I’ve written about this before.  He was the love of my life.  I met him when I was 15. He was 19.  He changed my world the day I saw his face.  He changed my world again the day I learned he was dead (many years later on Valentine’s Day).

The night before (years ago this very day), he came to me in a dream.  We were sitting in a garden in DC.  He held my hand as he told me that the days he spent with me were the happiest days in his life.  It has turned out to be the best gift he could have given me on any day:  A parting gift that has remained embedded with me as if it was yesterday. His gift.  Who gets that? 

This year, I got another gift from Helen DaVita, the medium lady who came to visit Kuwait.   You can read about my experience with her on my post, “My visit with a lovely medium.”  She helped me understand the real circumstances surrounding his death – and also reminded me facts about his life that I had forgotten.  I, like many others, thank her for giving us some peace of mind; and for reaffirming what I already knew:

Shamlan is around me.  I feel him there sometimes.  I'm always thinking about him and remember him in little ways - always on Valentine's Day.  Yeah, it is bitter-sweet, but I still see that powerful, life-altering,  never-ending kind of love to be a tremendous blessing.  It is timeless and ageless. Valentine's Day is just a reminder of that.

--- I'm back in Dubai this February 13 and I'm feeling more surrounded by him than ever.  He's here.  This is his place.  I'm glad to be close today.

Have a Sexy Kuwait Valentine's Day with this!

Disclaimer:  Ok, the owner of this bakery might be a little upset that I used that as a title, but I do this with good intentions:  Honestly, it gets me much more traffic having anything with "sex" and "Kuwait" in the title than anything else I could possibly do.  

Still looking for the "sexy" part?  Yeh, ya pervs!  Sexy cakes.  
After all, who doesn't get turned on by.... CAKE!  yeah.

CRUMBS BAKERY, Y'alls!

I have a bunch of guy friends and I never know what to get them as gifts, so baked goods are always a good idea.  I was searching on 965flowers.com for "male-appropriate" gift items.  It is a hard call to find something that is even slightly masculine and that they might actually enjoy.  Yes, I've sent flowers before, but that can get some giggles in the office, so I try not to offend/embarrass (unless it is on purpose and then it is just purple ALL the way).

I placed 2 orders from CRUMBS Bakery through 965flowers.com.  I chose them purely for aesthetic reasons:  they made a nice presentation and the baked goods looked like they could be gender-appropriate. I sent one box as a thank-you gift to a friend at the US Embassy (and dude please - any time you want to invite me back, it has been a YEAR now.  I sent BAKED GOODS!); and the other to a friend who had a birthday recently (an assortment of cake balls in a nice box).

Following my last order, I got THE most professional response from CRUMBS that I've ever had anywhere.  Now, this was the type of "how did we do?" note that I would send if I owned a business.  It was sincere and showed that they really cared.  I sent her back a note thanking her for the effort she extended through the e-mail; and  that I was embarrassed because I've never actually tried their offerings before, but I ordered due to the reasons I mentioned above.  What happened next (unsolicited because you know me - I don't do that) made my whole week:  She sent me a "Love Box" (first photo above - it is about a 12" square box maybe 5" deep) and a little bouquet of pink roses.  Awwwwwwwwwww.  (Why aren't men like this???)  What an incredibly kind thing to do!

I am now singin' their praises, my friends.  Not only pretty, but really really delicious.  It was melt-in-your-mouth kind of quality.  (I'm so used to getting dried-out, flavorless sweets that these really rocked my world!)  I highly recommend them.  Professional, respectful, considerate, sincere - AND with outstanding, well-presented, FRESH, and well- prepared products.

Readers!  Please feel free to send me more of these.  I was forced to share the first box with friends, so I have a legitimate excuse for "needing" more!  Yummmm.

All in time for Valentine's Day (This Friday - February 14)!  

965flowers.com takes credit card orders.  Go for it!

The gift box the sent me (first photo above)  is called Love Gift Box and it's KD20. KD1 charge for delivery.

Y'alls can order through 965flowers if you prefer online payment (and you can also add items like cards, flowers, teddy bears, and balloons). Otherwise you can order directly by calling or sending an email.

Contact details:

Shaab Sea Side Tel: 2263-6614 or 5527-8627
Fintas Tel: 2390-8421 or 5010-8886
www.crumbs.com.kw
twitter & instagram @ilovecrumbs
facebook.com/crumbs.kw

Orders are only by calling or email to orders@crumbs.com.kw. 

(You can just call them and tell them to send to "Desert Girl" and they will know where to deliver.  I have made it SOOOOOOOOOOOO easy for you!)

Make your loved-people happy this Valentine's Day.  Life is too short not to miss milestones and little moments. Time passes so quickly, my friends.  Moments are too precious to waste.  Doooooooo it!

Funny Ads

As seen in Al Hadaf classifieds...

Too many things to say about the catering opportunity....

And yup, pumping your p will definitely make you more handsome.

Doubts Over Mixed Marriages Article

So I got pissed off enough to write a letter to the editor after reading this story.  I don't know if it will be published in the Kuwait Times or not.  We'll see.  Her full story is here:  http://news.kuwaittimes.net/doubts-mixed-marriages/

Dear Editor:

Muna Al-Fuzai has written a second article on her perspective on "mixed marriages". The first article appeared approximately one year ago. She seems fascinated by the subject, although married to a Kuwaiti of the same religion.

From Ms. Al-Fuzai's tone, it sounds almost as if her husband has either married another woman or has considered it; leading her to jealousy or petty speculation. Perhaps the object of his eye is blonde with blue eyes as she seems to point towards this with the statement of, "...fulfils their fantasies of getting married to a Western woman with blue eyes and blonde hair..."  (as if there are not hundreds if not thousands of single or divorced Kuwaiti women with dyed blonde hair and blue contact lenses.)   

She goes on to say that, "According to some sources (and she does not name the "sources" revealing a lack of journalistic integrity), these woman are most likely homeless back home and broke.  So they use Islam to solve their personal troubles."  Wow.  Fascinating.  I know of not even one Western woman (blonde or otherwise) who has ever come to Kuwait "homeless or broke."  They have usually come here for work of some kind and have the means to move around the globe freely (financially and otherwise).  And none of the Western women I have ever met during my twenty years in Kuwait have ever married for any reason other than love and respect.

As she is a Muslim woman, I question why she is questioning.  "The increase of such marriages has more negative outputs than good, and yet we are still watching these cases with no one trying to seek the root of the problem..." To which I say, Ms. Al-Fuzai, read the Holy Quran!  It has been written and it has not been changed.  

"The fact that these women accept to stand in line with other women shows how desperate they are...."  and  "... especially if each party has his or her own agenda to hook themselves to a stranger in a serious bond like marriage." Isn't the divorce rate among Kuwaitis (of the same religion, often through arranged marriages where both parties are basically "hooking themselves to a stranger) over 50%?  Shame on you, Ms. Al-Fuzai, to stand in judgement of your own sisters and your own religion!  

Just for the record, the male Kuwaitis I have spoken to do not want to divorce because of their children.  So perhaps Ms. Al-Fuzai should write an informative article on the need for upgrading family law in the country to allow for better custody rights for fathers.

- - - End - - -

I  find it hard to believe that for many years, Ms. Al-Fuzai was Secretary of the AMERICAN Business Council of Kuwait.  Now that she is no longer in her salaried position, representing AMERICAN interests in Kuwait, she can voice her obvious contempt for Western women.  I wonder how it must have been for her to see Western women with Kuwaiti men during her tenure,  and having had to keep her true feelings hidden so that she could conduct business.  What a heavy burden to carry all that time!

On another note:    I always think that if you're not happy in a marriage, your children are going to suffer.  If  you stay together; they learn that it is ok to be unhappy in marriage.  If you divorce, they suffer because they may not receive the support of both parents.   Either way - not a good thing.  I am the product of a happy divorce.  I believe my parents were much better off away from each other, although my parents were always civil to each other and shared  visitation rights.  They never spoke ill of each other in front of us.  Life is too short to be unhappy.  People are not chained to each other.  And if either party (man or woman) is not happy at home, chances are that they are seeking happiness elsewhere.

Glamping: Kuwait Style Camping

The glamorous camping (glamping) that we do in Kuwait is not the camping of my childhood in the States.  As kids, got pup tents and canned kidney beans, while the adults got to sleep in the warm trailer.  We spent long, scary nights at national parks or camp-sites for pay where there was often no running water.  The worst places had outhouses.  I stopped ever being able to use them after one cross-America camping trip with the family.  As tweenagers, we always shined our flashlights down the outhouse hole to make sure no monsters were going to grab us and pull us in.  In Nebraska, the monsters came in the form of a pit filled with writhing black snakes. 

My foray into Kuwaiti camping came the first winter I was in Kuwait.  I can’t call it glamorous.  Just a few tents, nothing special, up in Salmi.  We were there because my friends promised to take me gerbil hunting.  Gerbil hunting is the funniest thing you can do this side of legal; especially if  you go with “hunters” wearing national attire and you might have had something to drink before you left on the adventure.  We never did catch a gerbil.  I was laughing so hard that I wouldn’t have noticed anyways.  It was pure slapstick humour.  Here’s how it’s done:   Get a bunch of friends, gloves,  and a 4 wheel drive.  Similar to a Chinese fire drill, when the jeep comes to a halt after seizing a gerbil’s fixed gaze into the headlights, all vehicle occupants rush out and try to catch the gerbil by hand.  Weapon use is prohibited.   Nonplussed, we returned to sit in the cold tent when, ironically, a gerbil ran in, made a circuit around us, and ran back out. The perfect ending to a great night.

As I later made friends with other single Western female friends, the camp invitations started pouring in.  These were not overnight or extended visits; it was more like going to a nightclub with your girlfriends (without the bouncers or long lines).  We wore high heels and mini-skirts and lots of perfume like all the other girls there.  At that time, squat toilets in some camps made for some thrilling moments.  Balancing yourself, inebriated, in high heels over a squat toilet and perfecting your aim when a cold wind swirls around your nether-region isn’t for everybody;  only the strong-willed survive.

Camping has evolved even during the almost-20 years I’ve been in Kuwait.  For example, I have visited very few camps lately that still have squat toilets.  They have been replaced by the sit-down type (that you can later find after camping season ends April 1^st littering the desert). 

Sure camping started out as a Bedouin nomadic custom out of necessity.  Tents were mobile homes moved to better grazing grounds.  When people settled into houses, they would still go out to the deserts to camp – especially when the kids were out of school, usually in the Spring when the weather wasn’t too hot yet nor too cold. 

Everything has changed.  It isn’t as family-oriented now, but rather a form of escapism in a society where alcohol and public dancing are illegal.  From November 1 to April 1, the deserts in Kuwait are transformed into cities of tents and lights.  The norm is nightclub-quality sound systems and disco lighting, outdoing the neighbours with barrier lighting systems (latest trends include multi-colored LED displays), and of course, lots of loud ATV’s (known here as “bungees”) that young children without helmets can drive up and down all night (and later give business to local hospitals and clinics).  Now, dune buggies with full-sized car engines (the likes of Corvette V8s) can be seen ripping across the sands with music blasting.

I’ve been to camps with paved/tiled walkways with outdoor lighting leading to individual sleeping tents containing flat screen TVs, HVAC units, waterbeds, and bathrooms with marble fixtures as well as sanitary ware (including Jacuzzis) that would rival what you would find in some of the finer home magazines.  I’ve seen everything you can imagine being trucked in:  A New Years Eve party tent that would put Ringling Brothers big top to shame; housing 5 bars and several dance floors.  A tent modelled after a trendy bar in Los Angeles with flowing white curtains, white lights,  black marble flooring and a black marble fireplace.  Tents with old, large brick fireplaces.  Decorating feats for temporary living.  At the end of it all, what can be re-used is packed into Conex containers and stored for the summer.

A Kuwaiti camp video went viral on the internet in Kuwait several years ago.  Someone dug out an enormous multi-levelled pit  in the desert.   From the outside, it appeared to be just another incongruous beige desert tent.  From the inside, it was a nightclub with a stage and a roped VIP section.

Businesses have sprouted to cater to campers.  Tent companies and outfitters have made fortunes off the season.  I’ve heard of tents selling for as much as $150,000.  And the peripherals:  furnishings, electric systems, sound systems, generators, plumbing, wiring, ceramic and marble work, kitchen equipment, heaters, air conditioners, satellite and internet service, lighting, fencing, pest control (think scorpions and snakes), caterers, DJ’s, and grounds-keepers/guards.    Even restaurants (including Pizza Hut) and some salons will deliver their  services your camp if you give them the GPS coordinates.

For those who want to do it on the cheap, there is a camping scrap yard in Mina Abdullah where various camping stuff has been either salvaged or sold. It is a weird and funky place close to Camp Arifjan where you can find everything from tent posts to used water tanks to the fabric woven from camel hair used in “bait shaar” (hair house) tents.  The entire place looks like something out of a Mad Max movie.

I became addicted to live-in camping last year when I shared a tent with a friend in a quiet area near Wafra and spent every free hour there.  This year, I have my own tent for the first time in probably the busiest/noisiest camping area in Kuwait:  Julai’ia.  We are a group of approximately 10 friends with a compound of tents.  My tent is a 6x6 metre tent; others are either the same size or larger.  All of the sleeping tents have comfortable beds (mine is a queen sized pillow-top) and bathrooms with porcelain sanitary ware and tiled floors.  Most of the sleeping tents have flat-screen televisions.  We have a very large tent for parties and we occasionally bring in live bands.  There are a few tents for when it is warmer and the sides can be removed. When it is cold, everybody has a heater (or two or three) for their tent.   We have 2 mini-ponies,  a goat, a bunch of chickens, and several visiting dogs.  We also have several “diwaniya” style tents where friends come and go; with or without invitation, all are welcome. 

Expat friends ask how you could set up your own camp.  These days, the facilities have become so abundant that it is easy.  If you just want to go with the family over a weekend, you can either rent an entire camp or a tent on a commercial compound.  Unfortunately, most of the companies just advertise in Arabic.  There are many rental camps in Julai’ia (off 40 between 240 and 245 roads at the turn where the temporary police station is set up during camping season) and if you stop to ask, most people (including the police on duty) will be willing to help you find one.   A good rule is that the camps with the enormous bouncy castles are rental camps.   If you want to buy your own tent, the tent market is behind the Friday Market in Rai.  They always have tents on display during any season.