As they say in England, Q8.

Ah, Kuwait.  Or Q8, as my English friends say.  We couldn't miss the chance to go to Kuwait.  I mean, this was where we saw  the First Gulf War unravel, didn't we?  This was the war of my generation.   So being this close, we decided to pack up the kids and head north for a three day weekend.

Which actually turned into a 2 day weekend because the four hour trip took us 9 and half!  It was actually a really easy drive, but we waited at the border for five and half hours.  Heaven help me!  That darn DVD player I insisted on for the truck, has been worth it's weight in gold.  Just for things like waiting at borders.  I won't bore you will all the details, but lets just say there were three people in front of Peter at the visa window, and nearly fours hours were spent just there.

And yes.  There will be talk of toilets AND a couple of dead animal shots as well.  Sorry.  Life in the Middle East has a lot of dead animals.  And as for the toilets, Tiff keeps asking why I always write about them and this is my reply, "It's something everyone, everywhere, no matter who you are has to do every single day.  And having five young kids, using the bathroom is constant and always an adventure around here.  It's like a box of chocolates, really - you never know what you're gonna get."  Haha.

You may  recognize these towers from news shots during the war.  They are called the Kuwait towers.  You can pay and go up them, but we didn't.  Sand looks like sand, even it you're up high.

This was my favorite 'fasten your seat belt sign.'  The man's outfit is awesome.  They actually drive much better than here; but still pretty darn bad.

In front of the LDS church in Kuwait, a small villa where they hold church.

We went to church in Kuwait.  And things like this are awesome around here.  It's so fun to meet other LDS people in the Middle East and know we're not alone.  While we were getting ready to move from the states, I met a woman at a shoe store in Orem.  She told me she lived in Kuwait and we talked for a while.  She gave me some great information and was a big help.  Very nice.  Just so happened that this was her Branch and we met up and talked for a bit.  What a small expat/Mormon world.  Very fun to see her again.

A villa is a house.  But not just any house.  It usually houses several families within a family.  So each level is kind of like it's own apartment.  This is a picture of the LDS Villa and the winding staircase.  It was a neat building.

Best swap meet in the Middle East, so far.  If you can look past ALL the garbage, it was great.  This is actually a grocery store parking lot, and LOOK at the trash.  Please.  These people have got to start using a garbage can!

More swap meet.  This man has two chairs on his head.

Okay.  Fun as this place was, worst bathroom experience EVER.  Not kidding.  And it's so terrible I won't even tell you why.  Let's just say that Ruby HAAAAD to go, numero dos.  And besides me actually dry heaving, I am a little worried she's going to test positive for TB or hepatitis some day, which I will be sure she caught at a swap meet bathroom in Kuwait.  A friendly reminder from your local middle eastern traveler; don't forget your vaccinations!

This is the kind of stuff I live for.  And my kids are learning to love it too!  Luckily, I married someone who loves to look through people's junk too.  This place had everything you can think of.  Everything!  Ever wonder where all the old brick like cell phones in the world ended up?  Kuwait.

Oh yes I did.  When we saw a Little Ceasars, we were all about CRAZY BREAD!  Not the same old Little Ceasars, though.  But in fact, better!  They had real pizza, and it was actually pretty good.  And they have glass dishes...fancy.

This was in the elevator at our hotel.  On the number 2 is says, "Push to go the the second floor."  Really?

This is the Kuwait City Souk.  Very entertaining.  I bought a wonderful basket here, nearly two feet in diameter and 8 inches deep.  If you need a baby Moses basket, I've got one.  (or something to dump the toys in, whichever)

This was fun, because it really is where people come to shop.  A real life souk.  From clothes, to food, toys, antiques, etc.  It was fun, and luckily still cool.  Because we're about to view pictures of the meat market - WARNING!

These guys are cute, but they aren't the meat market!

  

Ah yes.  Here we are.  Mmmm.  GOAT.  With the tail still on.  Delish!

And Goat Head.  This is a delicacy.  Really.  Everyone loves they eye ball.  And if you don't believe this guy, he'll just stick his tongue out at you.  Oh wait.  He already is.  WOOF.

Aren't you glad our meat departments in the states don't look like this?  I for one, am.  And I'm thankful for air conditioning, which really helps with the stink.

Kuwait had a lot of neat things to see.  They actually have museums, movie theaters, P F CHANGS, etc.  These boats are used all over the middle east, and they are still hand made.  (apparently)  They're called Dows.  (not sure how to really spell that, but that's how it sounds)

They are beautiful and very traditional.  This harbor in Kuwait City had a ton.  In this picture the man is praying.

Kuwait has a really nice Aquarium and Imax.  (Nice by M.E. standards, that is)  We had a GREAT time there, and saw two films.

They had one tank that had only things found in the Persian Gulf.  Here are two of them.  The rays were beautiful.  I recently saw a small shark in the water at our beach, but haven't seen anything like these beauties. 

This was at a weaving museum.  Beautiful things here as well.

Each tribe has their own traditional weave.  These are all hand done on looms.  I loved it.  I love the colors and tradition of it all.

On the way home, I decided to give my hand at the wheel.  Heck, I can't drive in the country I live, may as well drive where I can!  You may remember scenes from the news, during the first war, of all the cars lined up trying to get out of Kuwait City as it was being invaded.  They called this highway the Highway of Death.  I figured if I was going to drive, I may as well drive on something historical.

Peter tried to get me to drive here, late at night.  But I was too scared.  With my luck, something would happen and I just couldn't do it.  So, I'll leave the driving up to the ladies with more guts than I - out in the desert.

Over all?

Really fun.