Here There and Everywhere

Expat wanderer

Qurain Cultural Festival Events Postponed

From today’s Kuwait Times:

KUWAIT: Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Bader Al-Refai announced yesterday the postponement of concerts of the 15th Al-Qurain cultural festival in solidarity with the people of Gaza who are subjected to brutal Israeli aggression.

Al-Rifai, who heads the Higher Organizing Committee of the festival said in a press statement that the festival celebrated here few days ago the Palestinian Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture for 2009.

He added that the tragic situation faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza is the reason for the postponement of activities including the final musical concert that was scheduled to be held on January 14 which would honor artist Abdel Mohsen al-Muhanna. He said the postponement was a common desire of the Council, al-Muhanna and the Kuwait National Music Band. – KUNA

January 7, 2009 Posted by | Arts & Handicrafts, Events, ExPat Life, Kuwait, Living Conditions, Political Issues, Public Art | 5 Comments

A Little Slow

No sunrise this morning – I missed it! When it is cold like this, we end up reading in bed, and before we know it, the book is falling over, and we give up and turn off the lights. Thanks to a little coffee late in the day and going to bed early – I was awake in the middle of the night for about an hour, then when the alarm went off this morning, no, I just didn’t want to get up.

Once up, Qatteri Cat and I just huddle together her on the couch. It feels warmer, but . . . not warm! I have projects lined up, and a thousand things to do . . . and I just can’t seem to get started. I DO love this weather, at least I love it once I am outside and warm and toasty in the sun.

I am also having a problem staying home these days – are you? Most of the year I happily stay inside except for maybe early early in the morning for swimming or an early run for groceries. Now? Any excuse will do. I love NOT using the air conditioning, having windows open in my car, being so comfortable. And I am not getting anything done in the house.

I know these times are fleeting, and not to worry, just to go with it and enjoy it . . . I am feeling so LAZY!

January 7, 2009 Posted by | ExPat Life, Kuwait, Law and Order, Weather | 4 Comments

Qurain Cultural Festival – AARRGH

Doesn’t this look like fun? This Qurain Cultural Festival Event was held at the Souk Sharq, so accessible, for shoppers. I would have been there in a heartbeat – had I known.

Qurain Cultural Festival highlights national heritage: Official
Kuwaiti Writers Association celebrates poet AlـFayez”s legacy

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Compiled by
Al Watan Daily

KUWAIT: As part of the 15th AlـQurain Cultural Festival, the Kuwaiti artistic group Mayouf AlـMajli for folklore art performed at Souk Sharq before shoppers.
Qurain Cultural Festival Vice Chairman Mohammed AlـAsousi in comments to AlـWatan stated that the inclusion of such items into the festivals was of particular importance and highlighted the significance of local art and folklore. He added that such folklore was also represented outside the country as the Qurain Cultural Festival organizers were keen on having such national folklore represented in regional festival activities.

Meanwhile, the Kuwait Writers Association recalled the poetic artistry of late poet Mohammed AlـFayez, as a part of activities of the Qurain Cultural Festival, in an evening organized by The National Council of Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL).
Writer Abdullah AlـKhalaf noted the late poet, 1938ـ1991, was a remarkable example of Kuwaiti poets, known for his high quality and rich writings. He noted the many writings and poems and diwans of the poet, including the one published posthumously by his daughter.

He added that AlـFayez started by writing short stories, under the nickname of “Zeseif,” which featured later in his writings of “The memories of a sailor,” which was a an epic story, written in a poetic form and narrating a standard example of Kuwaiti life in the days of pearl diving.

AlـKhalaf said that AlـFayez was a pioneer in writing on that topic of hardships of older days in the Arab World, saying that he published this work in the newspapers in the year 1964, and it was printed later as one diwan.

Last updated on Tuesday 6/1/2009

January 6, 2009 Posted by | Arts & Handicrafts, Cultural, Events, ExPat Life, Kuwait, Living Conditions | 5 Comments

Blue Skies, Old Ruins

Running about Kuwait, we stopped just to appreciate these ruins. You drive past them all the time, and it gets so you don’t even notice them. Today, the sky is SO blue, and the ruins are so beautiful, and who knows how long they will even be there?

I wish I could have seen this place in all its elegant splendor. You can see it must have been graceful. It looks like a lot of thought went into its construction. I wonder what it was – anyone know? It is near the Diabetes Clinic, near the British Embassy, near Dasman Circle.

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I wanted you to see the beautiful arches and the elegant details against the brilliant blue sky before I show you the entire building, in context, with all the cars parked nearby, the towers in the background – it all somehow diminishes the building in context:
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January 6, 2009 Posted by | Arts & Handicrafts, Beauty, Building, Community, Cultural, ExPat Life, Kuwait, Living Conditions | 29 Comments

Sunrise Epiphany

It is a golden, glorious sunrise this morning, a little chop on the water, not so much as to even make a whitecap, just a ruffle.

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It is still COLD. The temperatures for the rest of the week show a slow, gradual warming of both the maximum and minimum temperatures. We may have just seen the worst of winter.

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I have pulled out my toastiest Land’s End fleece robe, bought when I lived in a tiny German farm village, where temperatures got low and stayed low. Because my apartment there had in-the-floor heating, we were always too hot! Maybe once a year, in Kuwait, I pull it out to keep me warm. This was the morning. Although it seems like it is getting warmer, the cold seeps into my building through the concrete walls and marble floors, a little colder every day.

The Qatteri Cat has decided not to get up quite yet. “It is too cold,” he complains, as he grabs his baby and goes back to bed.

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Dress warmly, and get out to enjoy another glorious day in Kuwait. 🙂

January 6, 2009 Posted by | ExPat Life, Family Issues, Kuwait, Living Conditions, sunrise series, Weather | 6 Comments

Teacher Orders Students to Strip

From Al Watan. Wonder how much longer this teacher will have a job? What was she thinking???

KUWAIT: Enraged parents of young female students at one of the intermediate schools in Hawally have filed a complaint against an Egyptian teacher, who ordered all the girls in the classroom to strip. A reliable source said: “The Egyptian teacher entered the classroom and asked the students about the source of some foul odor emanating from the classroom. The students however refused to admit or identify the girl who broke a chemical ampoule, so she allegedly ordered all the students to take off their clothes. The students in turn informed their parents about the incident, after which a group of parents filed a complaint against the teacher at the AlـNugra Police Station.”

January 5, 2009 Posted by | Community, Cultural, Education, ExPat Life, Family Issues, Living Conditions, News, Social Issues, Women's Issues | 11 Comments

Hala February Starts in January

From Al Watan

KUWAIT: The festival of Hala February for 2009 will be held from Jan. 29 until Feb. 24, said the festival”s high committee Sunday.

The committee”s general coordinator Waleed AlـJassem told the press that the event would coincide with the third year of reign for His Highnes the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlـAhmad AlـSabah, affirming that the festival would focus on highlighting the nationalistic values among citizens.

An opening carnival, which last for three days, would illuminate this year”s celebrations, he revealed.
Head of the committee”s media team Waleed AlـSagobi said that families could enjoy the festival due to the fact that the event coincide with the spring break for schools, affirming that the festival would be supported by a strong media campaign. ـKUNA

Among a whole lot of other things, as part of my job for a non-profit, I once wrote press releases. As I learned the ropes, I also learned that the newspapers will print almost anything you provide them, as long as you have proven your credibility, and the information is “print ready.” One TV station did a weekly news item on articles I would send – it wasn’t rocket science.

I am so sorry to say this, but if you are having an event, it is worth your while to take advantage of this. If you provide news sources with an event schedule, guess what? They will print it! If they print it, people will come.

If you print it in English, even more people will come! Isn’t Kuwait looking for tourism? Is there now a Hala February website, with an event schedule in English? Wouldn’t that have been a perfect opportunity, if not to publish the schedule of events (hey, having the schedule ready one month in advance is not that hard) AND a website to go to for event additions.

I really try not to be critical. I really try not to be sarcastic. Forgive me.

January 5, 2009 Posted by | Arts & Handicrafts, Cultural, Customer Service, Events, ExPat Life, Fund Raising, Humor, Kuwait, Living Conditions, News, Rants, Social Issues | 11 Comments

Sunrise and Forecast

Good morning, Kuwait, it is another gorgeous day. It didn’t get quite so cold last night (couldn’t see my breath as I breathed out, could you?) and there is not a cloud in a sky. Put on your sweaters, go out and take a walk! This is perfect weather! And it will last this entire week!

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The sunrise this morning is almost identical to yesterday’s sunrise. Oh Kuwait, go forth and take advantage of this great weather!

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January 5, 2009 Posted by | Exercise, ExPat Life, Health Issues, Kuwait, Living Conditions, sunrise series, Weather | 3 Comments

The Upside Down Day

Yesterday was a totally upside down day, where I never really knew what to expect. First, my husband was already up when I woke up, and when he heard me stirring, came into the bedroom with his great big smile and shining eyes and said “Let’s go to the Early Bird for breakfast!”

I laughed, and dropped my morning routine and plans to enjoy this delightful surprise. Quickly dressed, we were out the door well before seven, even well before sunrise. As we drove into Fehaheel, I managed to catch the sunrise, although I didn’t see it until this morning when I finally had time to sit down and organize myself. This is for you, Daggero, yesterday’s icy morning sunrise!

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Believe me, that shot is a surprise – we were at a stoplight, briefly, and I shot it through the window, not the ideal way to shoot a sunrise. Lucky shot, beautiful day.

The Early Bird was closed! Closed through today! What to do!? AdventureMan remembered seeing a small place deep in the heart of Fehaheel, and we’re in Fehaheel, it is not yet seven ayem and the streets are empty. We drove to the “Arabic Early Bird” and miracle of miracle, on a street that teems with traffic day and night, at 0h-dark-thirty in the morning, it is open and there is a beautiful parking spot, a LEGAL spot, available. We take this as a sign that we are meant to have breakfast there.

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Indeed, the cook is ready, and already has betinjan (eggplant) and felafel all fried up for us – YUM!

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The waiter brings us all kinds of goodies, most of which are totally delicious. This is my first time eating tomato scrambled eggs, which Mishary wrote about in Some Contrast sorry I can’t find the original article, but he shows you how to cook them. I think he used 12 eggs! Some of the pickles are strange to our taste, but the food is hot and fresh and delicious, and washed down with hot tea.

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More food that we could eat! When we got the bill, it was KD 1.750. What luxury! 🙂 What a great way to start the day, in every way not what we expected.

January 4, 2009 Posted by | Adventure, Community, Cooking, Customer Service, ExPat Life, Food, Friends & Friendship, Kuwait, Living Conditions, Marriage, Relationships, sunrise series, Weather | 13 Comments

New Year Takes the Jackpot!

Oh my lucky stars! I don’t even remember writing the referenced e-mail! I never buy lottery tickets, or enter those contests. What a way to start the New Year, hmmm?

Right now I am so busy with all the details in my life that I don’t have the time to claim my prize. What a pity. 😉

Your Email Won The Prize
The Spanish Hotball Lotto
REFERENCE #:87/825/TRH
BATCH #: MEG-749-873-439

Sir/Madam,
Being officially assigned to select winners across the globe, the
management is pleased to inform you of the result of the Hot Lotto Spanish
Lottery Winners International E-mail programs held on the 22nd December,2008
and result was released on the 31th December,2008. Your E-mail address
attached to ticket number 653-908-321-675 with serial main number
528-127-196 drew lucky star numbers 25-78-54-36-49 which consequently won
in the 2nd category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay
out of EUR1.500.000.00 Euros, with REFERENCE No.:87/825/TRH and BATCH #:
MEG-749-873-439.

Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning
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To file for your claim, please contact our foreign service manager:
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Tel:34 657 548 514
Foreign Service Manager
Congratulations for
being part of our
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Carmen Rodriguez
International Online Co-ordinator

January 4, 2009 Posted by | Crime, ExPat Life, Financial Issues, Lies | Leave a comment