Wasta

Wasta or wasata (Arabic: وَاسِطة wāsiṭah) is an Arabic word that loosely translates into nepotism or 'clout' or 'who you know'. It refers to using one’s connections and/or influence to get things done, including government transactions such as the quick renewal of a passport, waiving of traffic fines, and getting hired for or promoted in a job. (source)

As many of my Facebook friends know, shortly after arriving in Kuwait, I experienced moderately severe abdominal pain.  As I had had previously experienced something similarly about 5 years ago and it turned out to be a mild diverticulitis attack, I thought I would just go to the post doctor and she would prescribe me antibiotics and I would go home and that would be that. What transpired next was quite the adventure.

On Wednesday, after enduring a few days of increasing pain, I made an appointment for Thursday afternoon with the post doc.  It is worth pointing out that here in Kuwait the work week is Sun - Thur, so this was for all intents and purposes a Friday afternoon as the weekend was upon us.  Also, worth noting is that it was my parents last full day of their visit with us.

Our fabulous doctor advised that rather than just prescribing antibiotics that I should be seen by a gastroenterologist and that she would call the post liaison doctor for a recommendation.  In the states, I would've just gone to a hospital ER and been seen by whomever was on call.  Not so here.  :)

I decided I would just take myself to this doctor.  However, it was suggested that I have someone drive me. As Ian was in meetings and my parents weren't permitted to drive here, I was offered a driver from the motor pool.  Best decision ever.  For privacy, I'll refer to him as E.  E is a Syrian who has worked for the embassy in Kuwait for 17 years.  He is married with 2 boys (9 and 6) and he was amazing. Not only did he know where we were going, he spoke English and Arabic and was incredibly kind the entire day.

Upon arrival at the doctor's office, I was asked for my Civil ID.  I don't have one, yet.  So, I was asked for my passport.  Don't have it, because it was turned in to get my Civil ID.  I was asked for insurance, which isn't accepted in this country. This scenario played out multiple times and each time E smoothed it over and got me what I needed.  Wasta in action.

After meeting with the doctor, he wanted me admitted to the hospital, but he just changed offices, so he had to refer me again. Wasta in action.

In the meantime, I had to go downstairs to a lab for bloodwork.  I was asked for my Civil ID, which I don't have.  I was asked for my passport, which I don't have. E to the rescue.

After bloodwork, E had to drive me across town for a CT scan and Xray.  Upon arrival, I was asked for my Civil ID,...E to the rescue again.  More Wasta.

After a couple of hours here, with CDs but no reports in hand, we drove to Al Seef Hospital.

 Guy at checkin at the ER did not like being told by western woman that she was here to meet a specialist. No.  I would see whomever they had available, GPs only. E stepped in and was told the same thing.  We both shrugged and sat down. After a few minutes, the guy from check in was not at all happy to have tell me that the specialist I was waiting for had arrived would see me now. Wasta in full force.  Guess he didn't think I would have any. 

Doc comes in to admit me and asked for my CT report.  When I told him I didn't have a written report, just the CDs, he asked me who I knew that could call the imaging center and get them.  My father? A brother, perhaps?  Blatant wasta.  I told him that I had no wasta and he burst out laughing.  He said nevermind, he would call for me.  Perhaps, I have some after all. ;)

All in all, it took 7 hours to actually get to my hospital room and get hooked up to fluids and IV antibiotics after driving around Kuwait City in rush hour on a Thursday (think Friday) night. This was also the hottest day ever on record in the Eastern Hemisphere.  54C (129.3F) and E and I were out driving all over town, oblivious. 

Hottest Day Ever

For the next 48 hours, I had this amazing view:

All's well that ends well.  I'm feeling much better and a lot wiser.

Braden being silly: 

One Week

So, we arrived one week ago tonight and have encountered so many different things.  Because it is hot we haven't done as much exploring as I would've liked to, but we will get out and about more soon.

We tend to wait until the late afternoon/evening to go out as it is cooler (100 degrees versus 120 degrees), here are some pictures from a couple of our excursions.

We enjoyed an early evening swim at a local hotel (Radisson Blu) followed by a scrumptious buffet in one of the hotel restaurants.

The ship masts in the background are for another restaurant called Al Boom, which is on a traditional dhow.  Looking forward to trying it out sometime.

The problem with swimming at night is it is really hard to get pictures.

So many things to choose from - including Indian, traditional Middle Eastern and even Italian.  No one went away hungry.  Especially with the numerous dessert options.

Thought we'd get out to a "play area" at a local McDonald's on the beach.  The views would be amazing, if it weren't so hazy/dusty.  Even the food here seems fancy.

You can just barely make out the famous Kuwaiti Towers in the haze in distance.

Our Home

I was going to wait until our stuff arrived and I was able to hang pictures, etc., but so many people have asked what our house looks like that I have taken some preliminary pictures.  So, without further ado the grand house tour.

Location, location, location

 Dining room (and bathroom #1)

Living room (and front door)

 The tiny kitchen (most Kuwaitis eat out) This is down the hall behind the dining room.

Laundry room (and bathroom #2) - across the hall from the kitchen

Bedroom #1 (main level also across from kitchen) and bathroom #3 (not shown)

Basement (sitting area 1 underneath living room)

Basement area 2 (underneath dining room) also known as the poker room

Staircase (upstairs/downstairs) - also 1 of the 4 doors to the outside "garden".  There is a 6 foot wide garden from the house to the wall around the entire house.  Basically, without sprinklers it is a sand moat.  As I have no green thumb to speak of, it is unlikely to improve during our tenure.

Upstairs hallway/sitting area (will likely become my office area) Master Bedroom is just to the left.

Gran & Grump's room (to the right of upstairs hallway) Bathroom #4 between this room and Braden and Gavin's room.

Braden and Gavin's room (complete with sleeping boys)

Jamie's Room (also with sleeping boy) (there is another bedroom between Jamie's room and Braden and Gavin's room) Bathroom #5 is outside of Jamie's room.

Master Bedroom

Another view of the Master Bedroom (and Bathroom #6)  There are no closets in this house.  Not a single one.  Not a coat closet, not a linen closet, not a pantry.  All the rooms have at least two of the cabinets pictured on the left, so we will make use of those.

The rooftop.  There are two of these massive Carrier HVAC units and the upstairs is still 80 degrees regardless of what you set the temp to.  There is room for furniture up here, if the weather ever gets mild enough, but definitely not a play area.

View of our street from the roof

So, for those counting it is 3 levels, 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms (3 full/3 half) and about 6000ft(2)

First Impressions

First Impression of Kuwait: It's HOT.  And, I mean, HOT, oppressively HOT at all hours of the day and night.  There is no respite from the heat unless you hide inside.  Do you see windows on the house?  No?  They are there, but they have huge mechanical, metal shutters that serve as both security and blocking out the heat.

So, this is our home for the next few years:

I haven't been able to get a picture of him, yet, but there is feral tomcat on our doorstep every morning.  I'm trying to decide if I should feed him.  I really want to, but looking around I feel like I would end up with dozens.  

Our street 

Our Street the other direction

The biggest challenge the first few days has been keeping the boys occupied.  Last night was one of the twice-weekly "happy hours" at the Embassy.  They brought out a water slide/bounce castle and the boys had a blast.  Many of the families travel away from here during summer break (did I mention it is hot here?), so not as many kids, but the boys made some friends.

 There are many challenges to starting our life here, but the biggest one is probably transportation.  Even if you have an international drivers license, you have to get a Kuwaiti driver's license to go along with it.  To get a permanent Kuwaiti driver's license, you have to pass a driving test, to take the test you need a Civil ID, to get a Civil ID you need to submit your passport, your resident's visa and an application... you get the idea.  You think bureaucracy is bad in the US?  The systems here make it seem like the US government runs with Swiss watch efficiency.  Unfortunately, we can't apply for our Civil IDs, yet, so we have had to apply for 30 day temporary licenses.  I'm assuming I should probably have redacted this, but since I can't read it, I don't know what to redact, if you know Arabic you can let me know what this actually says.

Temporary License

So, now I have a car and a temporary license, but I have yet to drive myself anywhere.  The biggest threat to personal security here in Kuwait is other drivers.  On average, 1.5 people die every day here in auto accidents.  Statistically speaking, the roads here are the most dangerous in the world for auto accident related deaths.  We have wonderfully kind neighbors who work with Ian and they have been driving us around.  Today we ventured out to the LuLu Hypermarket for a full grocery shop.

 I was going to take pictures of the tremendous selection and variety of foods, but there are signs hanging everywhere that say photography is prohibited inside the store.  Will have to figure out why that is.  Today's shopping excursion was moderately successful.  Found many familiar brands and some new things (strawberry filled croissants!).  Can't find stock in a box (chicken or beef) or Bisquick or Near East rice mixes, so will be looking for care packages.  :)

Shopping Plaza

 Didn't get a donut or coffee, but one of the many indications of the Kuwaiti love affair with American brands.  We have a Subway near us and have found Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, TGI Fridays, Cheesecake Factory, Texas Roadhouse, etc.  The list is seemingly endless.  The real test will be if they taste like home.

And so it begins...

This week we packed up the house and moved into a hotel in preparation for our move to Kuwait.  We are so grateful to all of our family and friends for their love and support leading up to this adventure.  I just wanted to put this post out there to introduce the blog again and let people bookmark this site.  I'm sure I'll put things on Facebook, too, but this will be where I post most pictures and stories about our life and travels abroad.

Stay tuned...