More Kuwait

Our visit in Kuwait was short but our timing could not have been more perfect. It was by mere coincidence that we arrived on the same day as the 20th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion. This was the headline of the newspaper as we drove in the taxi to our hotel:

We also soon found out that the invasion happened across the street from our hotel, at the Sheraton. With very little warning, the tanks arrived in the middle of the night and the Sheraton guests were expected to leave the hotel. We heard of an American guy who arrived on August 3rd. It was his first time overseas and only hours after he arrived, he had to evacuate the hotel with no where to go. He slept in a park for a couple of days. I am guessing that was his last time visiting the Middle East.

One of Axel's friends who had lived in Kuwait during the invasion described the confusion and instability that happened after the announcement was made that Kuwait was being invaded. He said everyone rushed to the ATMs to grab their money until all the ATMS ran dry. Most Kuwaiti men abandoned their families and fled to Saudi Arabia. To this day, many women and children still hold anger in their hearts.

Axel's friend's wife was 8 months pregnant at the time and they could not leave the country. Everything was so unstable and people locked themselves in their houses and rationed food. There were no flights leaving Kuwait and the borders were secure. The OBGYN even advised him to get his wife out of the country in any way possible because the doctor himself was fleeing. With no other option, Axel's friend drove his wife and family to Baghdad, which was the closest, and ironically, the safest place to get a flight. When he left he had no idea if he would ever return to his home again. It was a long 8 months before he chanced returning back to Kuwait. It was a slow transition, but eventually, he rebuilt his life back in Kuwait.

It was an incredible night and I felt so fortunate to hear a first hand account of the Gulf War and its impact on those living in Kuwait. Amazing.

---

Our hotel was also adjacent to the Filipino Souq. There were some good finds in there:

I was tempted to buy this shirt in case I am ever late for something. You know, just to make sure everyone knows that I am here now, now. For extra emphasis the tiny letters on the bottom say 'My Heart now.'

I was tempted to purchase this soap for each one of my children. I could give it to them on their first date, in front of their suitor. Just to be clear.

Axel and I visited the Sharq mall, which was quaint and fun. There were several stores I had never seen before with some really interesting fashion. All the clothing is unflattering and purposely made not to show a woman's figure. It is too bad because the styles and fabrics were cute, but in a tent-like style. If I was pregnant, or looking for a moo moo, I would have made a few purchases.

The best part about the Sharq mall is the setting. It is placed right on the corniche, which was smelly, but beautiful.

Kuwait is one of the dirtiest countries I have visited in the Gulf, which surprised me. In both Qatar and Dubai, you can almost eat off the public bathroom floors (no, I have not attempted this, but would be fine if I had to). Kuwait had more graffiti and visible garbage, which in some ways made the city feel more 'real' than other Gulf countries. Sometimes sterile makes things less interesting. Case and point - Nepal.

An insane Kuwaiti woman sitting in the 125 degree heat

The Kuwait Towers

Pottery Barn Kuwait

One of the most impressive sights in Kuwait is the Avenues Mall. The first phase is the only part that is complete, and there will be a total of 3 phases--4 miles in length. It is supposed to be the largest in the Gulf, which is saying a lot after being in Dubai. So many Western stores can be found at the Avenues, Build-a-Bear, Ikea, Pottery Barn, etc.

The Avenues has so many American stores that cannot be found in other Gulf countries. You can really see a strong US influence in Kuwait. Even the city planning seems more American than European (like it is in Qatar). It was also nice to see so many people treat American well--somewhat of a rare thing here in the Middle East.

And, that's Kuwait.