I’m not sure who started this “tradition” nor when it all began, but it has become part of our celebrations. Friends and family have mixed views, but it seems fathers of young children are in agreement. Seriousness aside, we had a blast. Noor cried a little when she was “attacked” by a future pick-up driver and both her and Yousef kept reminding me to lock our doors 
The story was somewhat different when we parked and got out. It was revenge time…
” 1848 is historically famous for the wave of revolutions that swept Europe and the world, starting in France. They significantly altered the political and philosophical landscape and had major ramifications throughout the rest of the century .”
This is what Wikipedia says about the year 1848. Well… 48 years ago, Kuwait started a new chapter in her history. Going back 18 years on the 26th, an “altered” history was changed back to the right course.
I’ve timed this post to appear at 18:48 to the 24th. At that time, I shall be on my way home in time for the holidays.
Happy Independence and Liberation Days Kuwait.
May god bless this country and everyone who calls it home.
My host drove me around Abu Dhabi for half an hour today, which was enough to get a flavour of the city. I really like it. It’s well maintained and there are some exciting projects nearing completion, and others further into the future. Abu Dhabi is also preparing to host a FormulaOne race. Parking is a real issue in the city. It’s not uncommon to make a 999 call to complain about someone blocking you. The police call him/her on their mobile and ask them to move their car!
The gardener in me was so impressed not only by the endless green space, but by the quality and variety of the shrubs and trees,. The area near Emirates Palace and the garden within its walls makes me forget I’m anywhere near the Gulf.
I asked about old Abu Dhabi and where the old souq is… I was extremely surprised to learn it had been removed.
I use flickr to store my photographs and link them into this blog. To my amazement, not only is Skype blocked in the UAE but for some reason flickr is too! I will upload the photograph above when I return.
This photograph is of the carpet pattern at the Intercontinental Hotel. Security is very high in the Emirate as they host IDEX. The gentleman on the x-ray machine at the hotel entrance asked me to take a random shot pointing to the ground. The flash had to come on too. I’ve never been asked to do that before – and I’ve never posted an unplanned shot before so here we are.
I’m finally at my room. With the extra number of guests in Abu Dhabi, it is just about coping.
Two days to go for the big two days in February. I’m off on a short business trip and back in time for the festivities.
For readers outside Kuwait, the above is the building of the headquarters of the AFESD. Their annual contribution is this simple but effective way of celebrating another year of independence.
Dear Readers,
I need your help with the new Kuwait Mini Guide page. It’s not much of a guide but more of a short introduction to Kuwait. I started it some time in June last year and planned to finish it in a week. Eight months on my final draft is ready.
Please comment with your recommendations for changes, additions and omissions. I want to make it useful but also keep it relatively short. I also want it to be a fair description.
Please post your comments below, on the page itself, or by email to me.
Thank you.
Bu Yousef
I took this photograph some time ago in Doha. This man did a wonderful job cleaning the windows at the Ramada Hotel – and made it look so easy. The gold you see behind him is the other side of the hotel. I was staying on the 8th floor, so it was nice to see that he was wearing a harness/belt which he had clamped onto the railings outside. That same week, I saw cleaners washing (I mean washing washing – with running water) the curved glass cover of the entrance of Al Manshar Rotana hotel here in Kuwait. For those who don’t know it, this is 4 metres high! The guy was standing barefooted on curved wet glass wearing no protection whatsoever. His shirt was a little dodgy, so you almost wished he would fall.
It takes courage to work at high altitude. Courage is the subject of a joke that I came across this evening. A little long but worth it
World War Two. Close to the front line, three Allied generals talk about courage. One is Russian, the other is American and the third one is British.
The American general wants to show the others how courageous his men are. He calls a soldier and tells him: “Private, I want you to run across that mine field, jump over two enemy trenches, and come back in 10 minutes!”
“Sir, yes sir!”
The soldier does everything the general asked him and comes back on time. The American general says to the other two: “You see? That is what I call courage!”The Russian general is eager to show the toughness of the Red Army. He calls a soldier and tells him: “Comrade, you must run across that mine field and jump over no fewer than four enemy trenches, while carrying a box of live grenades. And for the glory of Mother Russia, you must be back in 8 minutes!”
“Da, comrade general!”
This soldier also does everything the general asked him and comes back on time. The Russian general says to the other two: “You see, comrades? That is what I call courage!”The British general raises an eyebrow and steps in slowly. He calls a soldier and tells him: “Hey, you there! Go and run across that mine field and jump over ten enemy trenches, while carrying a box of grenades in your arms, a timed C4 explosive on your back, and balancing a stick of dynamite on your nose. Oh, and be back in five minutes.”
The soldier replies: “You what? Are you bloody mad? I didn’t join the army to listen to braindead idiots like you! Go and do it yourself mate!”
The British general looks triumphantly at the other two. “Now, gentlemen, this is what I call courage!”
