Monday, October 26, 2009
Souk Jum'ah - Friday Market
So I went to the Friday Market which is a huge covered Flea market type area here in Kuwait. There were clothes, shoes, fabric, carpets, and furniture for days...Below is a picture of me sitting on some common diwaniyyah style furniture (and it is not particularly comfortable - I am not sure if they like their furniture hard here or this was just not the nicer furniture). Also, you can see in the picture that this type of furniture goes on for quite a while and is stacked up behind probably about 12 feet high; it makes you wonder if they ever actually manage to sell all of it...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
US Ambassador to Kuwait
Who is that in the photo you ask????? Why that is me and several other students at AUK with Ambassador Deborah K Jones, the US Ambassador to Kuwait. The Model United Nations (MUN) at AUK held an opening ceremony today with the Ambassadors from the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.
After taking this photo, I did actually introduce myself to the Ambassador and told her about my scholarships and why I was in Kuwait. She replied Ahlan wa Sahlan, and asked how what I thought of Kuwait so far. I told her that it was an amazing experience. And then she commented that it is different than you thought - and what they tell you back home. Very much so! I replied. She then asked that I spread the word back home that Kuwait is a wonderful place. I told her - even better, I am writing a blog so that everyone back home could get a glimpse into the real Kuwait and realize that it is not a place they should be afraid of visiting…Well, at least that is how I remember the brief conversation going…
I hope that I get to have a longer conversation with the Ambassador when I visit the Embassy. Although, I don’t know whether or not I am scheduled to meet with her then which is partly the reason that I made sure to introduce myself today.
She gave an excellent speech today, which would make almost anyone want to join the US Dept of State Foreign Service…maybe even me someday!
After taking this photo, I did actually introduce myself to the Ambassador and told her about my scholarships and why I was in Kuwait. She replied Ahlan wa Sahlan, and asked how what I thought of Kuwait so far. I told her that it was an amazing experience. And then she commented that it is different than you thought - and what they tell you back home. Very much so! I replied. She then asked that I spread the word back home that Kuwait is a wonderful place. I told her - even better, I am writing a blog so that everyone back home could get a glimpse into the real Kuwait and realize that it is not a place they should be afraid of visiting…Well, at least that is how I remember the brief conversation going…
I hope that I get to have a longer conversation with the Ambassador when I visit the Embassy. Although, I don’t know whether or not I am scheduled to meet with her then which is partly the reason that I made sure to introduce myself today.
She gave an excellent speech today, which would make almost anyone want to join the US Dept of State Foreign Service…maybe even me someday!
Shisha
So I gave in...I smoked the Shisha (Hookah)...It supposedly had a grape flavor...all I know is my lungs are going to hurt tomorrow...and it definitely does calm you down...
Monday, October 19, 2009
Diwaniyyah
So for everyone who is wondering what a Diwaniyyah looks like...
Of course, on the opposite wall is where the big flat screen TV was which was playing Football (Soccer) all night! The food was also laid out on the opposite wall, along with the bar...a juice bar that is, they had almond milk and some sort of fruit juice that was thick and very sweet (almost taste like a syrup).
And the lovely piece that is hanging in the center is (I was told) a replica of the doors at Mecca. But I don't really know anything about that...at least not yet as I have not taken my Islam class yet. But here is a close up...it really is beautiful, just don’t ask me what it says. Although, I am pretty sure it is something from the Quran. This is very common to have something from the Quran written as artwork in these sort of spaces (in almost any space actually).
Another thing that is common is these Dhow (boat) model replicas. In fact, my professor also took me to the place where they make them.
Of course, on the opposite wall is where the big flat screen TV was which was playing Football (Soccer) all night! The food was also laid out on the opposite wall, along with the bar...a juice bar that is, they had almond milk and some sort of fruit juice that was thick and very sweet (almost taste like a syrup).
And the lovely piece that is hanging in the center is (I was told) a replica of the doors at Mecca. But I don't really know anything about that...at least not yet as I have not taken my Islam class yet. But here is a close up...it really is beautiful, just don’t ask me what it says. Although, I am pretty sure it is something from the Quran. This is very common to have something from the Quran written as artwork in these sort of spaces (in almost any space actually).
Another thing that is common is these Dhow (boat) model replicas. In fact, my professor also took me to the place where they make them.
Kuwaiti Arabic Anyone?
If ever you are in need of some Kuwaiti Arabic lessons get in contact with Professor Ibrahim Naseer from Kuwait University. He was an absolutely excellent professor! I can't say enough great things about him, except that I hope that he will tutor me again in the spring for my second semester here. Plus, he actually co-authored the book we used: A Spoken Course in Kuwaiti Dialect. Here is a picture of us in the courtyard outside the Amideast offices.
New Do...
My barber told me that I was not Kuwaiti enough...the conversation went something like this: All the Americans come here and wear there hair so plain. We get our fashions from you, but you don’t wear your hair like this over here...so he tried to spike up my hair a little for me....
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Hello Again
I am sorry for my absence....It has been awhile, almost a whole month. I ran into a few issues with my study abroad program, which is to be expected with a brand new program. However, everything is being worked through...so I can get back to enjoying my time here in Kuwait, inshallah!
I am now enrolled in 4 courses at AUK; ARAB 114 - Arabic Basic Language Skills, HIST 110 - 20th Century Middle East History, HIST 201 - History & Politics of Kuwait, HIST 389 - Oral History. I am also unofficially auditing SBSA 210 – Arab Society & Culture. So I have classes 5 days a week.
I am enrolled in both male courses and female courses because there were some schedule conflicts they made an exception for me. It is very interesting to be in both female and male classes because it allows me to see the difference between the two. I must say that the females are very well prepared for class and bring intellectually stimulating questions for thoughtful discussions. However, the males by in large do not do their homework or show up to class on time.
The Oral History course has two projects. First, we will be interviewing Americans to capture their perspectives on Arabs, The Middle East, Islam, Terrorism, 9-11, etc. Second, we will be interviewing Kuwaitis to get a Life History from the older generations to capture the growth and change of Kuwait over the past half a century.
Oh, I went to a movie last night. We saw Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, and even though it is only a cartoon the government apparently felt the need to censor the kiss at the end of the movie. That was a new sensation for me...I felt a little robbed...I mean I did pay a whole 1.5KD to see the movie, I expect to see the whole thing. But, we just laughed it off...as it was a blatant omission. The character says "Just Kiss Me" and then it cuts to the credits...
Did I mention that AUK is one block from the waterfront? I spent a lot of my time between classes doing homework stretched out on the beach....
....AHHHHHH, the Arabian Gulf......
I am now enrolled in 4 courses at AUK; ARAB 114 - Arabic Basic Language Skills, HIST 110 - 20th Century Middle East History, HIST 201 - History & Politics of Kuwait, HIST 389 - Oral History. I am also unofficially auditing SBSA 210 – Arab Society & Culture. So I have classes 5 days a week.
I am enrolled in both male courses and female courses because there were some schedule conflicts they made an exception for me. It is very interesting to be in both female and male classes because it allows me to see the difference between the two. I must say that the females are very well prepared for class and bring intellectually stimulating questions for thoughtful discussions. However, the males by in large do not do their homework or show up to class on time.
The Oral History course has two projects. First, we will be interviewing Americans to capture their perspectives on Arabs, The Middle East, Islam, Terrorism, 9-11, etc. Second, we will be interviewing Kuwaitis to get a Life History from the older generations to capture the growth and change of Kuwait over the past half a century.
Oh, I went to a movie last night. We saw Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, and even though it is only a cartoon the government apparently felt the need to censor the kiss at the end of the movie. That was a new sensation for me...I felt a little robbed...I mean I did pay a whole 1.5KD to see the movie, I expect to see the whole thing. But, we just laughed it off...as it was a blatant omission. The character says "Just Kiss Me" and then it cuts to the credits...
Did I mention that AUK is one block from the waterfront? I spent a lot of my time between classes doing homework stretched out on the beach....
....AHHHHHH, the Arabian Gulf......
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