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"Kuwait
Series" - by Gaylan King
Contents:
Iraq 1 - April 15, 2003 - Today's Kuwait City is a very modern, beautiful city. I shop in stores nicer than we have in Destin. The produce is wonderful and from all over the Middle East. I have an apartment on the top floor of a new building; swimming pool; a new Maxima to drive, a job that I really like and, to top it off, 25% DANGER PAY! The biggest danger around here would be to get run over by some Sheik's son's Ferrari. Actually, there are probably some crazies around somewhere but I'm used to that. The $30.00 a day FALA (Cost of living required by Kuwaiti law; $10,900 per year) goes to a local bank in Dinars. I shop in one of the really upscale markets for $60-70 a week. The richest country in the world really looks like just that. I live across the street from the shoreline drive, which is almost as pretty as Destin's. However, the streets are wide and perfect and the Gulf Shore Road drive is a sight to see on any evening. I'm a car and bike freak and they're all here. I'm amazed at how different Kuwait actually is from my pre-conceived notion of it. The weather isn't really hot, yet, and it's been delightful just to wander around. I got to the Friday market last week and will hit my first gold sooks this coming "weekend", i.e. Thursday - Friday. I haven't had a lot of chances to use my Arabic lessons, but that time is coming and I understand some of the remarks that I hear. I should have done this 10 years ago and I doubt that I'll come back at the end of this contract. The instant I left the states, it was like a whole level of irritation disappeared. I've gotten so tired on 24 hr. news and the constant whining by almost everyone; guess I needed a break. We have 365 channels from all over the world, so what little TV I watch is fun again! I also get FOX and BBC, etc. We're already talking about setting up in Iraq. There is more money here than you can imagine and the Kuwaitis haven't forgotten who raped and pillaged their country in '91-92 and who bailed them out. I go out alone at night whenever I need to and haven't had a tense moment yet. The Kuwaiti habit of driving at night, in town, with their lights off is a bit disconcerting, though By the way, the Dubai airport beats anything I have ever seen. I rode in from Dubai with the wife of the Brit Banker who runs the largest bank in Kuwait. They've had me over for dinner and are introducing me around. I've also bought a guitar and played at a mainly Brit music night that occurs every other Wednesday evening. Most are Anglicans.
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