New Friends.....

This past week I met some new friends at the US Embassy.  They are so nice.  Both from the states; she is a Jersey Girl and former NSO entertainer.  She met her husband while traveling with the NSO around the world as a singer, dancer (Bob Hope style) for the US Military.  They invited me to a party with friends at there home so myself and my 'right hand' from work went and attended.  Very cool neighborhood and a true Kuwait Home which is very large (3 stories) and beautiful.  They had both lived in Jordan at one time...

Read More

US Embassy National Day

This week has been interesting and tonight was fun!  For a quick update, Kuwait had both Customs on strike and the Kuwait Airlines on strike so food, supplies and people were having difficulty getting into our out of Kuwait.  Finally today the strike stopped.  In the meantime, contacts at the US Embassy asked me to step in with our team and help them out Thursday night because the other company cancelled due to lack of foods through customs; of course the answer is yes! Tonight the US Embassy hosted National Night.  A lot of...

Read More

Thankful.....

Tonight I just want to say I am thankful..... *  Thankful for modern technology for the miracle of video chatting while I am 7,000 miles away from family I can still chat with them.  Tonight my father was on chatting with me and at 93 years old it was pretty fun! *  Thankful for my sister Nancy getting him to the house to have the chat and keeping us connect...

Read More

Wise man driving that taxi.....

A friend of mine told me about Hamid the taxi.  He said you can go anywhere for 2KD in Kuwait by texting Hamid.  I started this and found he has about 10 drivers and I really like the service.  You text to a number to "pick me up at _____ and drop me off at _____" and generally in about 15 minutes you are in the car riding.  Most all of the drivers are from India or Pakistan and Hamid does a good job choosing who can drive for him and they are pleasant.  Sometimes other taxis stop for me and I say "are you Hamid?"... they...

Read More

Grocery getter and the maid.....

First the grocery getter!  Some of the real big grocery stores in Kuwait are located in shopping malls.  The malls are typically bigger than the ones you are use to.  When you go in the mall you go up and down escalators that do not have steps.... they are kind of like moving sidewalks that go up and down.  Next you see full grocery carts coming out of the store and you see kids heading to the escalator with them.  First...

Read More

Marina Mall Kuwait

Friday is normally my day off while living in Kuwait.  Back in the states some people are fortunate to have off on Saturday and Sunday.  Here it is Friday and maybe Saturday; but typically it is a half day Saturday.  I decided to get out for a bit and went to the Marina Mall.  Janet and I had been there before so I wanted to check it out again. Located on Gulf Road along the coast the mall is built on one side of the highway...

Read More

US Embassy Visit

A few days ago the staff members of AEWA (American Embassy Welfare Association) asked me if we could put together a quick meal at the US Embassy to celebrate St. Patricks day.  I took the challenge of course and said yes.  They gave me a recipe for Irish Stew, Corn Beef Sandwiches and Irish Cake.  You have to remember where I live now.... I said yes and had no idea if I could even get Corn Beef here in Kuwait!   I gave the recipe to my Chef and asked him to source all the ingredients to prepare this.  He had to ask for...

Read More

Palms Beach Hotel, Spa & Resort

Was going to get some rest tonight when someone gave me an invitation to go with them to dinner.  Did not know where but I went along.  Turned out to be the Palms Beach Hotel.  I always heard that basically no swim suits were allowed in Kuwait; especially for women.  Turns out that is not so true if you join a place like the Palms for a membership.  They are a great resort type area with outdoor pools, indoor spa and Gymnasium...

Read More

What you think you know to be true may not be....

Moving to the Middle East in Kuwait has been interesting.  So many people talking to me prior to leaving could not believe I would do such a thing.  Many people tell the same thing to my wife and daughter.  Most everyone from the US thinks the area is far to scary because they associate with war or Iraq and most people always think dessert, no modern society and people who don't like you. This week I rented an apartment.  I needed bedroom furniture so I watched on the internet.  Finally saw a King Bed, 8 drawer dresser,...

Read More