The Island Life

I have been in Kuwait almost 8 weeks, time could not be going any faster! We already made it to our first break!!! We had one week off for the Eid Holiday (more on that later). I don't have my civil ID yet, so I can't travel anywhere. Some of the other newbie teachers and myself decided to spend a day on Failaka Island.  It was a great experience!

Failaka Island is an island that belongs to Kuwait and is only about a 30 minute ferry ride from Kuwait City. The Island has had settlers since the Mesopotamian period. One of the many draws to the Island; however, is the history of the Iraq Invasion in 1990-1991. It was the home base for Kuwait during the war and while on the island you are able to see the old buildings that used to be occupied, the buildings that were attacked (bullet holes and all) and the tanks that were stored/used. In all honesty we were not given a tour that gave us any history. This was all found out in bits and pieces and some internet research. While on the tour he told us what the buildings were, but the exact history of who lived there during the invasion was unclear.

We arrived at the marina at 7:30, grabbed some Starbucks for energy and relaxed until it was time to aboard the ferry a little after 8:00. The ferry took off around 8:30 and we arrived to the island a little after 9:00. We were then bused to the resort area, which is like the headquarters of the island. We checked in and got our vouchers for various parts of the day. The bus tour left at 11:00, so we spent our time looking in the museum and chatting with a local about the artifacts.

 Arrived at the island!

 Losing to an artifact

 Portraits of royalty 

Old Photograph of the neighborhood near our school

After looking through the museum we still had a little bit of time, so we chilled outside and watched people ride the camel! (I am holding out for my camel ride; I want my camel ride to be in the desert)

We then loaded the bus, and took off! Our first stop was a gated area where old army tanks from the war were kept. It was crazy how eroded away the tanks were (due to the climate and environment). The war was in the early 90s but these tanks looked much older.

We then stopped at the stables and were able to see camels! Many people pet the camels and took pictures with them, but I decided there was no need for me to touch the camel. I would rather not get spit on (ever since that horse sneezed on me in 5th grade, I have had a great distrust of animals).

We then drove through the "neighborhood" and saw the old buildings. We saw old housing, restaurants, supermarkets, banks, post offices, and all other essentials of a community. It really leaves you speechless to try and describe such a situation. To see a ruined community and still see the tragedy scars imprinted on the buildings.

 Bank, as you can see the great many bullet holes in the building. Unbelievable

After the tour, we ate lunch and just relaxed in the air conditioned tent (it is still 100 degrees here). We then headed to the beach, but once we got there we didn't feel comfortable swimming in our suits (we were the only westerners and every other woman was covered), so we decided to head back and just hang out at the tea cafe. Liz and I were yearning for water, so we decided to check out the pool just to stick our feet in. We found it and it was a great 5 minutes before we were kicked out because the pool was only for the people staying overnight on the island. We decided to keep touring the resort area. We went to the zoo which had deer (I know, why are deer in a zoo?), peacocks, horses, birds, nothing too exciting. We also found a little handmade lake with paddle boats which we decided to walk around and then hit up the baskin robbins for ice cream. We were still wicked hot. When the sun was setting we walked out to the pier to watch the sunset. The ferry left the island around 8 and we returned to the mainland around 8:30. It was a LONG day! We were all very tired and excited to get home and shower from the hot, exhausting day! But it was well worth the trip!

Sunset on the Gulf

Eid Holiday

On Thursday of our vacation week, we headed to the Aware Center for an Eid holiday festival.  The aware center holds events for expats (and locals I suppose) to introduce them to the culture and life here in Kuwait. The Eid holiday is known as "Festival of Sacrifice" it celebrates Abraham's sacrificing his son to God. Some schools only have a few days off for the holiday, but we were fortunate to have an entire week. The Aware Center's festival had cultural items for sale, cultural clothes to wear and take pictures, free henna, free meal, and calligraphy (which I was too late for since the henna line was so long!) It was really awesome, and I am glad I went. After the festival we walked around the neighborhood and was able to really look at the houses here. They are absolutely insane. I want to go in one so bad. 

Liz and I in cultural dress

Henna!!!

Random house on our neighborhood walk

Liz and I going for a midnight swim after the festivities

Confessions

• I hired a maid, and it was the best thing ever. I decided not to work on my housewife skills while in Kuwait.
• I spend all my free time at the Hilton Beach Resort. This is my gym. I workout, hang out at Bucks, and relax and read on the beach. I spend HOURS here. Totally worth the millions of dollars I spent (not really, but kinda). I just could not take not working out or trying to workout in my apartment. It's amazing how much happier I am, even if it means running on a dreadmill. I will be so mentally tough after this year!
• I really miss the large sizes of America. A large Starbucks or Caribou drink here is only 20 oz. My body needs that extra 4 oz of caffeine. 
• The worst and best thing about living in Kuwait is this app called "Talabat" - you can order food using the app (yep you don't have to talk to anybody) and they deliver right to your door. I am not talking just pizza. I am talking like ANYTHING. First day of break I ordered Cinnabon - can you believe that!? I was also heart broken to find out that CARIBOU delivers, but NOT TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD! Cruel. BTW, don't worry, I only use it like once a week :)
• I got a text from an AMAZING 4th grade teacher in South Carolina that told me my kids (from last year) knew the difference between qualitative and quantitative - MADE MY LIFE! I REALLY REALLY REALLY love hearing about things back home. 
• I also had a parent from last year send me a snapchat of one of my students making a silly face and saying she missed me! MAN I AM SO LUCKY 
• I also am checking up on Hartsville Cross Country A LOT, I have inside spies -speaking to one now. I love and miss you guys way too much, way more than what is normal. ROCK REGIONS NEXT WEEK! CONTINUE TO LOVE RUNNING - NOTHING BEATS IT.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!!!! GOOD LUCK @ CHICAGO MARATHON TOMORROW

I really love this photo

love you lots,

Leah