First Weekend in Kuwait

Just a reminder, the weekend here is Friday and Saturday.

On Friday night I went out to the oldest traditional Souk or market here in Kuwait call Mubarakiya. There I had dinner during Iftar or the breaking of fast (around 6:15pm). The food was delicious and authentic. I had some kind of grill chicken, pita bread, hummus, and tabouli.

And last night, I thought it would be fun to go down to the local barber shop and get my beard shaved. Although, I realized that the word in my dictionary was not the word that they used. I was slightly concerned. But nonetheless got a great shave! And this is why I am starting my Kuwaiti Dialect class tomorrow (it got cancelled today).

Hotel art

I am still figuring out what i can and cannot take pictures of here. I cant wait to post some pictures of these malls. you wont believe its the middle east. but for now, check out some of the art work from the hotel that i was staying at.







And here is the view into the lobby...

Thursday 8/27

I am off to AUK to meet with my advisor. Hopefully I will get a tour of the campus and take some photos or video. But for now the photo attached is the view from my hotel to AUK. I will upload some photos of the art from my hotel later.



I am all moved in with my host mother now. I hope to post some photos of my new home later. I walked down the street last night at 10pm to the market, I went to the bank and used my American ATM card and got Kuwaiti Dinar (KD). Plus, I finally got around to buying the plug adapter/converter. So contrary to popular belief back in the US, Kuwait is a very safe place. So mush so, that I felt perfectly fine walking 1/2 mile in the dark to the market. Nobody bothers you here. Plus, there aren't any guns or armed guards around. Oh and the taxis honk at you to get your attention, but you can just waive them bye or hop in. There is a lot of walking here, which is a good thing except for the heat. It often feels like you are walking in front of a hairdryer. There is a hot wind that blows on you all day and night. I met with my Kuwaiti Tutor yesterday. He is a professor over at Kuwait University. We will start our private classes on Sunday (which is their Monday) 3 hours per day. He seems very nice and we are also going to take trips outside of the classroom to practice my Kuwaiti Arabic skills in real life settings.
Well, I am off to AUK...

Tuesday 8/25

I am at the AMIDEAST offices today. I had my orientation and I met my host mother. We are going to have dinner tonight, and then I will move in tomorrow. I meet with my Kuwaiti Arabic Tutor tomorrow. Next week I will register for classes at AUK...I am exhausted. My body is still not used to the time change (7 hours). I fell asleep at 5am here (10pm there). I still can't really believe that I am here in Kuwait, just walking around the city. Yesterday I walked down the street to the Sultan Center (kind of like a supermarket) and picked up some cat & dog toys (my host mother has cats and dogs). Also, I walked through several malls. And yes, it is very hot here. But it’s not that bad in shorts and a t-shirt. Maybe tonight I will take a walk down by the water. Of course, crossing the street is a bit tricky here. Ramadan is currently going on so I have to eat alone in a private room. Eating or drinking anything in public could lead to a large fine or jail time. It also means that most people here are fasting and sleeping all day, and are thus up all night. Last night, I went downstairs (craving ice cream) and I was surprised to find the place packed at 2am. People were still walking around outside, or in the coffee shops, and downstairs playing pool. I need to buy the correct plug adapter for my laptop and then I will be able to post my pictures and a short video of the view from my hotel.

View from Hotel

Arrival

Hello from Kuwait. I have arrived safely in Kuwait at 6pm local time (or 10am Eastern Time). Currently I am at a hotel next to the beautiful waters of the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf). I will post some pictures tomorrow. I should be meeting my host family on Tuesday. Much more information to come tomorrow. Good night from Kuwait

Hi !!!!!!!

I have created this blog to keep a log of my experiences as I journey to Kuwait to study Arabic and Middle East Studies at American University of Kuwait (AUK) through AMIDEAST Abroad. Hopefully, I will have access to update this blog everyday or at least regularly. I hope you will follow me on this journey…

http://www.auk.edu.kw/default.jsp

http://www.amideast.org/abroad/programs/kuwait/semester_kuwait.shtm


I am proud to say that I am a National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Scholar, as well as, a Gilman Scholar. These are two excellent scholarship programs that provide funds to students traveling to less traditional locations to study a critical language.

http://www.borenawards.org/

http://www.iie.org//Content/NavigationMenu/Programs7/Gilman_Awards/Home8/Home.htm


Thanks to everyone at George Mason University who helped me through the scholarship application process. With a special thanks to Dr. Deirdre Moloney (Director of Fellowships and Undergraduate Apprenticeship Program), Dr. Susan Trencher (Dept Chair/Associate Professor of Anthropology), Dr. Alexander Benitez (Assistant Professor of Anthropology), and the folks at the Center for Global Education (CGE).

http://www2.gmu.edu/dpt/saa/fellowships/

http://anthropology.gmu.edu/anthropology/index.html

http://globaled.gmu.edu/


I will be leaving the United States on August 22nd, 2009 and arriving in Kuwait on the 23rd. Then the real adventure begins…