I thought that living in a Muslim, desert country would mean I would see no Santas, no red green and white, no Christmas tress, and certainly no snowmen. Boy, was I wrong! While the malls aren't nearly as insane during this month as they would be back home, Christmas can definitely be seen all over Kuwait! I went shopping today to the Avenues (huge, gigantic, lovely mall) and saw many trees in various colours in Pottery Barn, the Gap, and just about every other store that we have back home. I'm happy to not be missing out on the pre-Christmas excitement! There was even wrapping paper! I love Christmas, and I'm so excited to be going home to celebrate it in only 13 days! I even went to a Christmas party last night!
It's starting to get colder here, and although it's still 10+degrees warmer here than at home, there have been some really cold mornings where it's actually been warmer in Canada! I've had to get winter clothes, including sweaters and mittens! I would have never thought that anything below 20c would feel cold! I guess that's what happens when you get used to 40+ weather!
Last weekend was Islamic New Year and they are celebrating 1342 lunar years! I wonder if there are some people who go only by that calendar and may not know that it's also the year 2011... In any case, I got an extra day off ont he weekend and was able to go to Mutla Ridge. It's the highest point in Kuwait, and there is a lot of history there. I'm not sure in what year, but not too long ago, Iraqis were leaving Kuwait and I think the American's bonbed them just before they go to the Iraq border, nicknaming the main highway the Highway of Death because so many people were killed. One thing that I find so interesting about the Middle East is that there is so much old history, but also so much new history. A friend of mine went to Jordan during Eid and she said she saw places that were important int he Bible, like where John the Babtist died etc. and I think it would be interesting to see something like that. It's also interesting though because the Middle East also has so much recent history. I want to learn more about it and visit some more places while I'm here!
It's starting to get colder here, and although it's still 10+degrees warmer here than at home, there have been some really cold mornings where it's actually been warmer in Canada! I've had to get winter clothes, including sweaters and mittens! I would have never thought that anything below 20c would feel cold! I guess that's what happens when you get used to 40+ weather!
Last weekend was Islamic New Year and they are celebrating 1342 lunar years! I wonder if there are some people who go only by that calendar and may not know that it's also the year 2011... In any case, I got an extra day off ont he weekend and was able to go to Mutla Ridge. It's the highest point in Kuwait, and there is a lot of history there. I'm not sure in what year, but not too long ago, Iraqis were leaving Kuwait and I think the American's bonbed them just before they go to the Iraq border, nicknaming the main highway the Highway of Death because so many people were killed. One thing that I find so interesting about the Middle East is that there is so much old history, but also so much new history. A friend of mine went to Jordan during Eid and she said she saw places that were important int he Bible, like where John the Babtist died etc. and I think it would be interesting to see something like that. It's also interesting though because the Middle East also has so much recent history. I want to learn more about it and visit some more places while I'm here!
I am so glad you get to enjoy the Christmas season as you love Christmas so much! It will be nice to come home to see your family and hopefully there will be snow although it is quite mild this year! there is a 50% chance of snow for Christmas..
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are enjoying your time there!
Christine Rae