CLEANER. HOTTER. RICHER.

It’s only been five days, but here are some first impressions on “Kuwait versus Egypt”.

* VEHICLES. In Egypt, most cars were on the not-so-nice side of things and dents commonly decorated their sketchy exteriors. Many lacked mirrors, some lacked doors, and bumpers served as a significant source of friction. Here, it’s like touring around a perma-car-lot that only features SUPER NICE “wheels”. We’re talking about a place where escalades are “alright”….a place where a single dent is easily fixed by a new vehicle purchase. Sickening, right? Maybe this is why the traffic is so freakin’ fast here, too!

* HOSPITALS. Hmmm….how do I compare this one? A description of one from either place would leave you baffled and uncertain. Let’s just leave Egypt out of this one and say that Phil and I have mistaken every hospital in Kuwait for a hotel. Hopefully you find that visual effective.

* NOISE. Kuwait may not be this to some people, but to us it is RIDICULOUSLY PEACEFUL! We no longer require a device to drown out the non-stop beeps and honks from the street below. Here, we fall asleep to the continuous swooshing of cars……and have yet to even FAINTLY hear a disruptive horn!

* THE CLASS SYSTEM. The rule here seems to be “Kuwaiti’s are number one”, meaning they can show up last to be first in line. They consider us privileged to be living in their country and don’t have to protect “tourism” because, well, there isn’t any. Egyptians, in contrast, went out of their way to give us VIP treatment, as tourism is a central part of their economy.

* RAMADAN. Ah! Where are all of the colourful fabrics and lanterns that characterize the streets of Maadi during the holy month?! How about the Christmas lights?! Or the children lighting fireworks in the streets?! These are things we miss about Egypt. Kuwait seems to celebrate Ramadan with less GLITZ and GLAMOUR!

* VISA PROCESS. A process it is INDEED. In Egypt, a blood test on (or WAY after) arrival was all you needed for a work permit. Here – AY AY AY! Haha……the process is INTENSE. Can you believe that we spent Monday night getting FINGERPRINTED and Tuesday morning getting blood work for ANOTHER AIDS test and X-RAYS for ANOTHER TB test?! Apparently, the health tests done in Canada were just a rehearsal for the ones to come in Kuwait! They say we are done now…..and I hope this is true!

* CIVIL I.D. It is imperative to have one if you are going to reside in Kuwait. (Not necessary in Egypt). And unless you have one of these, you CANNOT purchase a cell phone, rent a car, etc. Since our apartment is too new to have a landline or internet connection hooked up, we were really banking on purchasing a SIM card as soon as we got here. Those dreams were crushed when the civil I.D. news hit.

* WESTERN BRANDS. During a presentation on “Kuwaiti Culture” we were told that “shopping” is a recreational activity in Kuwait (as is camping with satellite dishes and televisions…). Haha – that must explain the reason for being able to find ANYTHING (ANYTHING!) from home HERE. I tell ya, we have been to two shopping centers (both massive), and each of them sold a limitless number of products from the West. Maadi’s Mariam Market is basically the premature baby of Kuwait’s supermarkets!

(Written September 1st)