People told us how much easier the second year would be, and logically this makes sense, but I don't think we really expected it to be so smooth. Our apartment feels like home, and Flora (our awesome nanny) had it cleaned and ready for us. (Apparently, people that did not have their apartments cared for over the summer came back to a thick layer of sand everywhere.) We know the school policies and procedures and we didn't have to attend nearly as many meetings. We knew where to get groceries and had our car to get them. But I think the most important difference was having a circle of friends here to welcome us back. It felt good not to be the newbies figuring out what is what.
The only bump in our arrival back was the decision of the Kuwaiti Government to cancel school until November 30 for kids 5 and under due to the H1N1 flu. Instead of Zoe only having one week in the apartment (it is still too hot to go outside) she was looking at a long stretch of playing with Isaac. Thankfully, the school has put together a small class for staff kids. So, instead of a class of 15 she is in a class of 5! We are not sure about the logic of canceling school for the little kids since most of them have older siblings at the school, so they would still be at risk of getting H1N1 at home. Anyway, we are happy with the schools solution to the cancellation.
Now to the picture portion of the blog...
My friend Michele has taken some neat pictures of our neighbour so I have included a few and her write up for you to take a look at.
"Our neighborhood is Maidan Hawally: living quarters of the working class. Since no Kuwaitis live here, Maidan Hawally is not exactly a showcase of Middle Eastern affluence and though we have seen many improvements over the past 4 years (most roads have been repaved, open man-holes are disappearing and dilapidated buildings are being replaced with 8 story apartment complexes) it is still a bit rough around the edges." (Michele Elsen 2009)
An outside toilet for those who really need to go!
Safety does not come first on construction sites here.
The new water pipes that were installed...they just weren't installed below ground!
A sidewalk?!?
Litter doesn't seem to be an issue here since people just toss it on the ground and the hired help from Bangladesh or India clean it up!
An outside water tap for those who dare!
The local Mosque that provides us with several daily reminders that we live in a Muslim country.
Outside the Mosque.
So this is where we live. It isn't pretty but it is home for the next 10 months.
1 comment:
Glad to hear the transition back went well!
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