New home

When my then-boyfriend told me that his first slb location is Kuwait, I scratched my brain. Trying to dig what I have in my mind about this country, was nothing except for their excessive big oil well, Gulf War and camel.

"Sayang, look outside!" And that was the first time I see sand storm in my life. It is a typical phenomenon in here. Your eyesight distance will be as bad as only 100m. Kuwait has 2 seasons; Summer and Winter. I reached here during the transition as the weather was pleasant. Windy and breezy.

My first visit when I reached here was to Sultan Centre, a local mart. Since it is just a walking distance fom our apartment, we decided to walk. As we walked, out of 8, 7 people I met were men. I made a simple conclusion, ladies stay at home. But what are doing at home? Cooking, taking care of the kids or house cleaning? But they have maid(s)?

What I have learn so far about Kuwaitis are:

1. They loooovvvveee smoking. They even smoke in air-conditioned building, in the airport and any public areas

2. The word 'queue' is never be in their dictionary. When I was in the mart, an Arab just ignored a long line and went straight up to the cashier. The same scene in the hospital when I did my medical check-up. Out of nowhere, he just popped his head at the door and about to cut the queue

3. Never award driving license to Kuwaitis! They are such bad drivers. I'm not aware what is the speed limit in Kuwait, but they drive extremely fast. They change lane without giving signal, they honk each other like hyena and they shisha-ing in the car. But their road system is tremendously cool, compared to my home country. They must plan it well then. I salute them for that. The system is more like the American system, where highway takes 3 lane each way. The sign board is well written in both English and Arabic.

4. They are excellent in making ignorance. When we were just landed at Kuwait, the flight attendants did make an announcement for the passengers not to switch on the phone. They were happily flout the message and go ahead making calls. Totally uncivilised!

5. I love their awareness on cleanliness. Their public market and toilet are well-kept. Compared to my home country, the market is well-oriented.

6. I'm not a saint. But I feel so sick when I see young generation in my home soil who lately ingore their self-respect and pride. The social ill becomes serious day by day because they forget their root and faith. And the law also the culture are seems allowing the illness to become severe. The lifesyle is to Westernize as it seems cool to adopt Western culture. I'm glad and happy looking at Kuwaitis lifestyle when I walked in the mall. They enjoy shopping with their family. Teenagers are not ashame to walk with their parents. Siblings are holding hands. That is the way of life should be.

7. Welfare institution is one of the important component of the economy growth of a country. I learned that the goverment really take a good care of their people's welfare. Thus, their populace are happy and they stay and work in their country. Unlike my home country, the inflation is getting higher, their citizens; professional or non-professional; leave the country because the salary is low and the cost of living is freakin'ly high. *sigh*

8. Rude might the middle name of Kuwaitis. They have lack of respect of expatriate, like me. When I did my medical check-up, I had to wait for a long time to enter the rom to take my blood. Eventually my husband can wait nomore, so he knocked. It happened to be the nurses close teh door as to enjoy their morning coffee!! Bloody rude!

As I'm riding my journey, I collect these experience. Hopefully it will make me wiser and a better person.