Ready or not

Russ thinks we live in India (or Bangladesh). I am pretty sure this is better than a lot of India. As the city grows, there is more and more construction, and we are right in the middle of it. Towers and buildings around us were not here two years ago. Our apartment complex is modern, but to step outside is to step into another world in this new country we’re in. A block away, there is open sewage. There is trash strewn about the shifting sand dunes that moves with the construction activity. And everyone we see on the streets in this part of town seems to be from the Indian sub-continent. All of the small businesses are operated by them which provide basic grocery and takeout services nearly eighteen hours a day. With a twenty minute walk or five minute taxi ride away however, we are back in Kuwait.

School starts in two days, but students have been on campus to fix their schedules or test in. Today is Chevron day, when all the new American students take placement tests. Tomorrow is new student orientation. Work has most definitely begun! Fortunately, I am familiar with the scheduling software.

There are three buses that leave the complex in the morning - 5:15, 5:45, and 6:15. School starts at 7:00 and continues until 2:00 (teachers must stay until at least 2:30). Buses then return at 3:00, 3:45, and 4:15. This seems to make for a long work day with not much free time if we plan on getting up at 4:30 am every day!

Russ started going to the “Platinum” gym about a half mile away. It is fully equipped, and the jacuzzi is also quite relaxing for him. I am debating between a DIY routine here at the complex and joining the Hilton where I would team up with another teacher.

Last night, there was an organized trip to the Heritage Souk in the center of Kuwait City. We found street after street of stalls selling perfumes, fabrics, gold jewelry and bling, tailoring services, and food. There were also clothes. What I have found interesting both in the souks and the malls is the availability of scantily covered clothes, which must be what women wear either under their abayas or in the comfort of their homes. A lot of it is kind of over-the-top glitzy, but some of it is quite fashionable. Even if a woman does not wear the abaya,she is most likely wearing pants and long sleeves. It does not seem to matter that both of these can be super tight-fitting.

I think I brought over the right amount of school clothes. But I did not anticipate workout and especially just casual going out clothes. It looks like a lot of laundry or finding a few things here.