1991 Mitsubishi 3000-GT
Approximately 100,000km
1 prior owner
Pictures below

This car is currently located in the United States and has been completely upgraded with the following: (I will list all information later today)

3 Televisions (2 front visors, 1 rear overhead)
3 DVD Players (attached to each individual television)
Authentic Gucci leather interior on all seats (tan color)
New sound system with speakers (more information available)
Metallic burgundy paint (3 month old)

New brakes, new tires, new rims, recently serviced (oil, tune up, filters), new inspection. Car meets all US and Kuwait specifications and is eligible for shipping immediately.

For further information and price, please use the "contact me" box at the bottom of this page. I will reply to all requests within 24 hours. If you need an Arabic speaking person please leave your mobile number and I will have someone call you within the 24 hour time frame.


Above: This is not the actual car for sale, just a photo of what
one looks like - not very good quality. (Same year and body)


Below: These are actual photos of the car for sale during
its transformation phase and completion. Click here for larger view.

 

Did I confuse everyone? Or just the Americans and non-bedwins? I know my bedwin boys knew what I meant.

A wanate is a small, usually red and white, pick up truck used for utility purposes in the desert. For instance, hauling sheep, goat, etc. Or, if you're a Jahra man, it's used to get you from your home to your dewaniya on Salmi Road.

From what I understand, the name "wanate" comes from the 1.8 liter engine size. 1.8 pronounced one-eight equals wanate. These little trucks, though not very appealing in the looks department, are actually rather expensive.

I often talk about the inexpensive gas in Kuwait, and how costly it is in the states now. It takes my mother over $80 to fill up a mid-size car, my father over $110 for a truck, and my son over $70 for a small sports car. Prior to returning to Kuwait in April I filled up my Lexus with Premium and paid $3.45 a gallon. It's still in my tank, so I feel like I have stored "cheap" gas considering Premium at the same gas station is well over $4.00 now.

Well, I was looking over my bank statement today, and since I make the majority of purchases from my debit card, I can track my spending rather well. I said "track" not "control." Yes, I have issues.

I found this to be particularly interesting:

GAS (Filling up the tank of mid-size car)

6/14/2008 FIRST FUEL -MASSILAH KUWAIT KW D $10.22
6/20/2008 FIRST FUEL -MASSILAH KUWAIT KW D $11.19
6/26/2008 FIRST FUEL -MASSILAH KUWAIT KW D $12.14
7/3/2008 FIRST FUEL -MASSILAH KUWAIT KW D $12.63
7/9/2008 FIRST FUEL -MASSILAH KUWAIT KW D $14.35
7/15/2008 FIRST FUEL -MASSILAH KUWAIT KW D $9.43

STARBUCKS (Same timeframe)

6/18/2008 STARBUCKS -ALKOUT KUWAIT KW D $6.79
6/19/2008 STARBUCKS -ALKOUT KUWAIT KW D $6.79
6/20/2008 STARBUCKS -ALKOUT KUWAIT KW D $11.50
6/23/2008 STARBUCKS - SHAIKHA COX KUWAIT KW D $6.03
6/24/2008 STARBUCKS-AL BIDAA KUWAIT KW D $12.07
6/27/2008 STARBUCKS -JAHRA KUWAIT KW D $7.75
6/30/2008 STARBUCKS -ALKOUT KUWAIT KW D $6.80
7/3/2008 STARBUCKS - SHAIKHA COX KUWAIT KW D $6.79
7/4/2008 STARBUCKS -FLAGSHIP KUWAIT KW D $7.73
7/5/2008 STARBUCKS-AL BIDAA KUWAIT KW D $6.03
7/9/2008 STARBUCKS -JAHRA KUWAIT KW D $6.79

I wonder if Kuwait is the only country where a person can spend more on Starbucks than they do on gas?

Maybe I'll invest in a coffee pot, stop driving all over Kuwait for Starbucks, and save money on gas AND coffee! Ugh, doubt it.

OK, so it's been a few days since I've checked my email, and when I did this morning I found a couple of questions worth answering here.

First; No, Kuwaiti men have not given up their traditional attire. And if they ever do, I'm going home! What would Kuwait be without gorgeous bronze men in crisp disdasha? Yes, there are many Kuwaiti men who don't wear disdasha and ghutra and opt for the more Westernized sports look, but for some reason my eyes can't seem to grasp that. I simply see them as some guy in fake Nike clothes.

Second; Apartments in Kuwait can vary from something similar to what we have in the states to the more local housing traditions. However, if you're expecting wall-to-wall carpeting, sheetrock walls, and Maytag appliances, get that out of your head immediately.

All buildings in Kuwait are made of concrete with extensive detail in most cases. The apartments are complete with much marble, granite, and tile. Yes, the bathrooms do have the standard western toilet, and I can't imagine any company would move their employees into one that isn't. The ceilings are higher than the standard ceilings in the states, and the walls inside are concrete as well. Hanging things on the walls can prove to require a professional. Same for hanging curtains.

Depending on who you're coming to Kuwait to work for, your apartment will more than likely be fully furnished, including towels, sheets, pillows, etc. Since you're never sure who was there before you, or if those items are new, I would suggest purchasing them yourself, or bringing them from home. Some apartments have very nice "American" style furniture, though I have seen some with more of the traditional Middle Eastern appearance. Not sure what it is about purple and gold, but it's very popular with the Kuwaitis.

Also, the type and quality apartment you live in will also vary depending upon the area you're going to be residing in. For instance, Salmiya has gorgeous highrise apartment buildings overlooking the gulf as well as something that you think is being condemned and destroyed until you see people's laundry hanging on the balcony to dry. Sha'ab and Sharq (both in Kuwait City) are very nice areas with many nice buildings as well. To live in something I find to be comfortable and to my standards in Salmiya, Sha'ab, or Sharq costs in the neighborhood of KD700-KD1050. That includes furniture, electric, water, appliances, DSL, cable, pool, gym, and private underground parking. Although, for much less you can find something very similar, perhaps without the view, the parking (and parking can be a nightmare in Kuwait), furniture or appliances. It really depends on what you want and what you're comfortable with. Kuwait City (Salmiya, Sha'ab, and Sharq) is very convenient, you can walk to almost anything, and if you can't, they deliver. These areas have a mixture of American, Kuwaiti, and some FNs (Foreign Nationals).

Around the corner, and not quite still what I consider the "city" is Hawally. This area has some Americans but appears to have more FNs, conveniently located, extreme traffic morning, noon, and night, and I kindly refer to it as the "slums." Don't get me wrong, there are some decent places to live in Hawally, but they're difficult to notice with all the traffic, people walking around, cars illegally parked, and horns honking. Maybe it's all just a little too fast for me over there.

On the "other side" of the 6 Ring you have Fintas, Agaila, Mahboula, Mangaf, Fahaheel. These areas are filled with Americans, and many buildings are restricted to being "American only." Some are overlooking the sea, others are further inland. You have everything from luxurious highrises to clothes on the balcony decor. Though these areas have a high concentration of Americans, there is also a large number of FNs, and "future wives" roaming around. You have all of the modern conveniences in these areas. Supermarkets, salons, restaurants, shopping, malls, etc. If you want to feel as though you've never left the states, have almost all American neighbors, don't mind some traffic during rush hour, then any of these areas will suit your needs.

If you're not interested in living in the standard apartment building, and prefer more of the villa life, then I suggest Salwa for convenient location and reasonable prices. You can get a 5-7 bedroom, 6-8 bathroom villa for about KD550 a month. If you're willing to share your living space with several others as well as the bills, this isn't a bad idea. There are also numerous areas in Kuwait where you can rent a small apartment inside a villa with its own entrance and elevator for as little as KD120 a month.

Then we have my two favorite areas of Kuwait (call me crazy) - Jahra and Ali Sabah Al Salem areas. Not sure how much it is to live there, and if you're American chances you would want to are slim. Both of these areas are bedwin communities, and have a high population of bedouns. The land of wanates and Land Cruisers. Men in gaffea and dishdasha (minus the ghutra), and no "Nike" in sight. Jahra is a little larger and more congested, especially with all of the road work they're doing right now. Whereas Ali Sabah Al Salem is like a quaint little circular town. One main circle takes you to all roads and shopping. It's very cute.

To sum it all up, I'm a shallow, needy, materialistic American woman who hangs out with Bedwin people all day. Not sure how that's working out, but so far it's going rather well.

Last night I was having a conversation with a friend (Kuwaiti) about the Bedouns, where they come from, why they're here, etc. Their version of course. See, you can speak to a variety of Kuwaitis, and depending upon their opinion of the Bedoun situation, the story of the Bedoun origins will always change.

My point has always been, "Who cares where they came from? Where did you come from?" Fact is, no one is originally from Kuwait. Just as no one is originally from America (other than the American Indians aka Native Americans).

They were explaining to me that prior to the invasion of Iraq, Bedouns were listed as "Kuwaitis without proof" but has since changed to "illegal in Kuwait." I also understand there is a document that was provided to Kuwaitis once oil was discovered that declared them as a Kuwaiti. So my question is -- who maintains these documents? Did the government just run through the desert handing them out to people on a random basis? Was there a way they actually chose who was going to be eligible and who wasn't? If you were on the right side of the sand were you one of the chosen that day? And if the government was responsible for handing out these documents, don't they maintain their own copies? Can't they just open the file drawer, pull them out, and start granting citizenship?

Prior to Kuwait having oil they had very little in the way of trade. Pearls, fish, and camels were probably about all they had to offer, so I can't imagine they were living too well over here. However, they all had their trade, they did what they had to do to survive, and they were probably quite happy since it was all they knew. Then along comes a piece of paper allowing you to be a "citizen." Citizen of what? They had always traded freely, lived in their tents, and been perfectly happy. What more could citizenship offer? Perhaps many of them threw this paper away thinking it really had no effect on their lives at all? Or maybe the place to take this paper and claim citizenship was just too far of a commute for a man in the desert with 2 camels, a wife, and 14 children?

I really have no idea the answers to my questions, nor do I know if there is an answer. But I do know these people are here, in Kuwait. They have lives here, and family, for many generations. This is all they know as their home. If someone came into America and told us that anyone who was not a native of the country would lose citizenship and no longer have rights as an American, then the population of actual US Citizens would be reduced by approximately 98.5%.

My friend goes on to explain to me, using numbers and mathematical equations, what it would cost to give Bedouns citizenship. OK, so what? This is their country too! Give them what is equally theirs!

KUWAIT

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship laws are based upon the Constitution of Kuwait.

BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Kuwait does not automatically confer citizenship. Kuwait has a large number of guest workers living in the country; Kuwaiti law considers them to be citizens of their country of origin. Children born in Kuwait of long term guest residents do not qualify for citizenship. In all cases, unless the child is born to a Kuwaiti citizen, the child is born a citizen of the parents' home country.

BY DESCENT: Child born in wedlock, whose father is a citizen of Kuwait, regardless of the child's country of birth. Child born out of wedlock, to a Kuwaiti mother and an unknown father, regardless of the child's country of birth.

MARRIAGE: A foreign woman who marries a citizen of Kuwait may obtain citizenship after 15 years residency. A foreign man who marries a citizen of Kuwait is not eligible for citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: Kuwaiti citizenship may be obtained under the following specific condition: Person is granted citizenship through a special act of government.

Rarely am I as self absorbed as I feel the past few days. Usually I spend a great deal of time looking at what I can do to make the world (or my corner of it) a better place. But over the past several days, week, whatever, I am feeling rather selfish. I want the world to be about me and only me and if it's not, then I am not interested in playing this game. I almost feel like stomping my feet, crying, and screaming, "I will be the most important thing on earth today...like it or not!"

Also, I have done a bit of "house cleaning" in my life as of late. In another selfish moment, I decided to evaluate all of the people who currently play an active role in my life, for what reason they're there, and what value they bring to me. No, I do not feel that people should only be in my life as added value, though I do feel people should have something to offer one another in any kind of friend, love, or even business relationship. Seriously, would you keep a business partner who didn't produce?

Moving right along...

I remember as a child I would see "grown ups" as such mature creatures. Having it all together, and seeming to know all the right answers. Of course once I became a teenager I thought I was the one with the right answers, but we're referring to a time before that. Back in the day when being an adult also appeared to mean being mature. Or at least I thought so.

Now, many years later (shhh, I am not old yet), I suppose I fall into that "grown up" category. I have all the things one would think an adult should have, and have accomplished pretty much the same, or more, than most adults my age.

So at what point do I start feeling grown? Yes, I feel as though I have acquired a bit of wisdom over the years, and I have certainly learned a lesson or two. But is there some magic number I will reach when I finally become "mature"? For now I just think I'm a slightly more educated version of my younger self. I have seen many changes in my life, most of them positive, and I'm thankful for that. But where is that feeling of never doing anything wrong and living the perfect life?

I suppose I thought by the time I was my current age all the right answers would just fall into my lap while I wasn't looking. Little did I know I was still going to be chasing them down like a puppy who just discovered his tail.

Oh well, another day, another day wiser? Insha'Allah.

Generally I find myself to be a rather happy person. Life just kinda goes along. I have my ups, downs, and sometimes a little sideways. I believe in karma, so I always try to be a good person. I do the best I can at the majority of things I face. Other things I could try a little harder at, and the rest perhaps I try too hard. To me life really is a journey.

Today I am seriously asking myself, "Am I there yet?!"

Rarely do I have anything to complain about, and when I do, I look around and realize how incredibly fortunate I am and shut my mouth. Today I want to sit in the highest point in Kuwait with a loudspeaker and scream my problems to the world. Or anyone willing to watch the crazy woman and listen.

Ever have one of those days that just started falling apart from the moment you opened your eyes (usually later than you should have I might add)? Of course you have. We all have! Maybe I am just so fortunate that the smallest things, like forgetting the right shoes in my apartment assuming I had left them in my car, really bother me. Or not remembering that Starbucks opens at 6:30am and not 6:00am, but only after I have sat in front of one like a stalker for 15 minutes grumbling about people being late for work.

Small, petty, and ridiculous, I know. But in my world of blissful travels, it was the start of a downhill sprial at a high rate of speed.

At the end of the day -- after the flat tire, the apartment flood, the bank hanging up on me (3x), the gas station not taking credit cards, my external hard drive dying, the speeding ticket, my work computer crashing (twice), and pissing off pretty much everyone I know, I still have....um, my sanity? Or not.

Will sleep really make today just a memory? Will time really make it distant? What are the odds I can wake up tomorrow and pretend today never happened at all?

I have started by putting the right shoes by the door so I can't leave them behind! I just hope I don't forget what I am planning to wear, wear something completely different, and end up with the wrong shoes!

I foresee myself sitting in front of Starbucks at 6:05am grumbling.

Blah!

Animal cruelty and ignorance!

No, I don't mean that people who abuse animals are stupid, or mentally challenged. They are just outright ignorant and lack the necessary education required to care properly for an animal. A living and breathing being! This runs rampant in Kuwait, and I have blogged about it several times; from the stray "desert dogs" and horses used for "entertainment" in the winter, to the roosters being drug on a string by their legs just to be placed in the trunk of a car in the 120 degree heat.

This is all incredibly sickening to me. In America we have laws to protect our animals, and to punish people who are caught treating an animal anything but humane.

Then again, in America we also raise our own children. Showering them with love, hugs, and kisses. Showing them empathy, sympathy, and compassion. Crying their tears of joy and pain with them, while laughing during all of the most wonderful times as well. We're bonded to one another as family and friends. We learn more through love than anything else. And with that being said...Kuwait is probably one of the least intelligent countries in the world. At least in the area of love, emotion, and compassion.

When I read stories of a small dog being tied in the backyard and used as "target practice" for the children throwing rocks I cringe. When I hear of a desert dog having his leg cut off for "fun" I cry. And when I hear of cats being purposely starved to death as a form of "entertainment" I feel sick. I have to wonder what on earth the people behaving this way must be thinking. Apparently not much at all, but seriously, is this fun?

In America when we hear of someone mistreating an animal we immediately think, "Wow, what a shallow, insecure, miserable person. How sad they must beat on an animal to feel a sense of power and control."

I think the same thing in Kuwait.

It's nothing here to beat the maid, the driver, the tea boy, or even your wife. So why would I think animals would be higher on the food chain?

It's such a shame that love is rare, raising your own children isn't even a thought, and power hungry nutjobs are beating on everyone around them in hopes of being a "man" one day. Look around, people, it's gotten you this far....and that's not far at all. Perhaps you should consider making a few changes? What's wrong with love and kindness every now and then? Afraid it might actually work?

So often I hear "Islam is the perfect religion, however Muslims are not perfect people." Can we shout this one from the rooftops?

Anyway, if you're in Kuwait (or not) and interested in helping, donating, adopting, or fostering a wonderful pet, please go to the following: paws-kuwait.org

Remember, having a pet is like having a child. This animal depends on you for its basic care (food, shelter, water), but it also needs you for attention and affection. Please don't get a pet because it's small and cute -- it's going to grow up...I PROMISE! And please don't get one until you take into consideration the necessary training and grooming that will be required in caring for your pet. Not to mention the cost, and possible medical bills. Don't get an animal to keep in the yard or in a cage. If that's the best you have to offer an animal, then save both of you a lot of time and pain and don't get one at all.

Finally, if you have small children (or even big ones in this country) teach them about the proper care of an animal. Show them how to be gentle, and don't just assume they know. Explain how animals need love and care just like humans.

Oh who am I kidding? Make the housegirl to do it for you.

Why do I sometimes feel so overwhelmingly sick in this country? UGH! I can't imagine.

Call me shallow or whatever you want. But you will never call me a girl who settles.

We all have an idea of what we want; whether it be a type of car, the size of our home, shoes, or even the mate we're looking to meet. Sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control (such as finances) we find ourself settling. Well, I am not a woman who settles. I want certain things in life and I will either have them exactly the way I want them, or I will do without.

This of course only refers to the things we want....not our needs. I mean, I might want sushi for dinner one night but can only afford tuna salad, I'm not going to starve, so obviously I'll settle. However, when I wanted a new car (didn't need one), I wanted a Lexus not a Mitsubishi. So, I bought a Lexus. I wasn't going to settle. Perhaps this is why I can't always afford sushi?

Moving right along...

In a mate we all have this idea of what we consider to be the "ideal" person. I don't necessarily mean in their level of physical attractiveness, because let's face it, not every man is going to marry Jessica Alba, and rest assured not all of us women look like her. But there are certain things that appeal to us; eye color, hair color, height, weight, style. So if we're looking for a tall man wearing a dishdasha and has great teeth, why settle for a short man in jeans? If we're having to look for something that attracts us, then we're really not happy. And if we're not happy today, imagine how we're going to feel in 2 months...2 years!

That being said, one should never try to fit into someone else's idea of "perfection." Just because you aren't right for one person, one job, or one group, doesn't mean you're not perfect for the next. Who we are is the most valuable thing we have. To change that to meet the needs of anyone else is a terrible waste of our most precious assets.

The "hook up" emails I generally get are from women wanting to know where to find a Kuwaiti man, or Kuwaiti men (or men pretending to be) asking for a date. Today I received a very interesting email from an American man who is planning to come to work in Kuwait and wanted to know what his chances would be of finding someone to have a relationship with. You're all wonderful and I do appreciate the communication, but have I come across as the "hook up" site for Kuwait?! It was certainly never my intention, and considering I'm not the "hook up" kinda girl, I am amused at how I am somehow expected to be cupid.

However, I did find this young man to be genuine and interesting, and perhaps there are others out there like him, so I'll attempt to provide a little information based upon my limited knowledge in this area. I mean, I'm not a man! So I don't set out to find women to date. Sorry guys.

Kuwait is a lovely country filled with people from all different walks of life. Some have more money than they'll ever be able to spend in a lifetime (no, guys, you're not going to marry her, sorry) and others are here working for a little less than $200 a month (here ya go, this is more your speed). These women aka servants, are in this country due to sponsorship by a Kuwaiti. They usually start off as a "housegirl" (maid) and care for a family of many. They're not allowed out of the home alone, they work very long and hard hours, and they're generally not the happiest people here. Eventually they can work their way into other positions, such as McDonalds, salons, etc. This is when they begin to experience "life" and learn very quickly. These women are not stupid by any means.

Enters you -- blonde hair, blue eyed, polo shirt, khaki wearing American. Lights, whistles, and sirens are going off all around you, you're just clueless to this fact. You're now a target and unbeknownst to you, you're getting ready to have a "girlfriend." You'll be charmed, and your ego will be boosted beyond your wildest dreams. You'll be massaged and cooked for and even have your feet washed upon your request. And what do you owe her you ask? Nothing at all. At this point (day 2 of knowing her) you now have a new roommate. It's wonderful and you don't even mind. Afterall, she is cooking, cleaning, and massaging, what's the harm, right?

Two weeks later (payday) -- Time for a trip to the supermarket. She needs more food to cook for you, right? Of course you should repay her for all of her generosity and take her to dinner first. She might even suggest a lovely walk through the mall. You did just get your paycheck which is probably more money than you've ever made in your life, so what's the harm with a little walk through the mall? You need a few things anyway. During this little walk through the mall she'll point and giggle, showing you all of the "sexy" little things she would love to model for you. She'll act sheepishly shy, and unwilling to allow you to purchase anything for her (if she's good), but you'll insist. You are the "rich" American today. Not to mention, your wife in the states as no idea how much money you're really making, she'll never know, right? So, a few hundred dollars later you're on your way to dinner with a sexily clad little woman who is learning new English words every day. She is hanging on you like a cheap suit (though that's fairly unacceptable behavior in Kuwait) and you're feeling like king of the earth.

Two months later (if you're good) -- Your ego is soaring, the wife in the states is nagging you for more money complaining that you made more while you were home and the kids are driving her crazy, you go home every evening to a hot meal, a massage, and a clean apartment. So what if your money is being spent faster than a camel can store water. You have a hot little woman jumping at your demand. Hey, she even knows two sentences in English now! She doesn't nag you for money because though she's spending it all, you're totally convinced she deserves it. She's not yet (notice the "yet") popping out babies. And she hasn't even mentioned marriage.

Four months later -- You're blissfully happy. The hot meals and clean apartment are still common factors in your life. You come and go as you please without being questioned. You have stopped calling the wife at home as much, because, well, face it...she was getting on your nerves! And guess what? You're probably even thinking about taking a trip back to the states and filing for a divorce anyway. Of course you can't take this trip alone. You don't want to risk some other "rich American man" stepping in and stealing your prize of a woman. So what the heck? Buy her a ticket too!

Six months later -- Green card and a blue passport.

One year later -- Get fired from great job in Kuwait, or just decide you've had enough. You're ready to take your lovely little new wife to the states and introduce her to the family. Perhaps you'll have to drag them out from under the trailer and sober them up first, but hey, she's so understanding, she'll love them all.

Two years later -- While you're driving your truck over the road, hoping to make rent money this month, begging the new wife to stop with all the money spending, and begging the ex-wife to give you a break on child support and alimony, you're wondering where your mind went.

Now put it in reverse and head back to that first "date" in Kuwait. There it is! Your mind.

Good luck with that dating thing.

UGH!! Sometimes I get so frustrated and so crazy with the small minds of some of the men in this country! Bedwin men. "New style" men are a little different. Not entirely, but a little. They still prefer to be "in control" but disguise it better than the bedwin man who just outright admits it.

So, last night I am talking to a non-married bedwin friend of mine who tells me he is going to the gym to go swimming, the sauna, hot tub, etc. with one of his married friends. This is a gym located in an area where men and women are always kept apart, so the question of women being there didn't even come up. However, I did ask about his married friend running off to this gym at 9pm at night to go swimming while his lovely little invisible wife sits at home with two children under the age of 3.

First, let me explain that 9pm is not "late" here in Kuwait, nor is it really considered night time. It's barely a few hours after most have crawled out of bed, and fairly close to their dinner time. Getting a table at a good restaurant this time of night can be difficult at times.

Second, a man leaving the home this time of night is perfectly common here. Nothing suspect about it at all. And, him rolling back in at 2 or 3 am is just as common.

So, my question to my friend about the wife of his friend was what if she wanted to go swimming too? I mean, not at the man gym of course, but perhaps somewhere for a woman? And at 9pm at night? After a few minutes of listening to how men and women are different, women should never leave the home at night, women take care of the babies, blah, blah, blah. He finally said, "Well, a good woman wouldn't even ask to go swimming." Which of course led me to the next question..."You people must really think I am horrible, huh?" Because not only would I not even bother myself "asking" but I would just "do." Morning, noon, 9pm at night. Should I get the urge to go swimming, um, I'm going. Of course his reply was, "No, you're American, we all accept that you're different and from a different culture."

That being said, he's right, I am American and from a completely different culture. We are taught at a very young age that women are equal to men (in some cases ultimately superior), and that our rights, needs, wants, and desires are not only parallel to that of a man, but just as important.

So what all of this boils down to is that this woman sits in her home, raises kids (while teaching the daughter she is inferior to the son), and doesn't dare express her wants or desires or she is a "bad woman." Give me a break!

Of course this is the extreme, and not every home in Kuwait is like this. However, if there is anyone on earth who is going to find the craziest of the crazies it's going to be me, so I am far from shocked by anything I hear from my friends. (Note: I am perfectly sane just with a "crazy magnet" attached)

Did I ever write about the story of my bedwin friend who refuses to leave dewaniya if his wife needs something at the store, but instead has the driver take her to his mother's house, and then escorts them both to the store because she's not allowed to leave the house alone? I suppose it's much more acceptable to put her in a vehicle with a man who drives like he's blind, isn't related to the family, probably couldn't pass a background check with wasta and cash, and hates himself more than he hates them?

Maybe I love the bedwins so much for their entertainment value. Not really sure yet, but I do love those people!

This is yet another question that gets emailed to me quite often. Not sure why anyone would think I have the answer to this..I mean, do I come across as the "bad, law breaking American"? I'm not, really.

However, I do happen to have a fairly reasonable answer to this question. Should anyone have a better answer, please email me and I'll post it.

Can an unmarried male and female reside together in the country of Kuwait?

Absolutely. As long as they are brother and sister, father and daughter, or mother and son. If you think for one second you're going to come to Kuwait and shack up with your boyfriend/girlfriend you're wrong. Living together and not being directly related also translates into living together in a relationship that resembles a marriage, which also translates into living together and having sexual relations, which finally translates into a violation of Sharia law. Kuwait, being an Islamic country, still upholds Sharia law. Although, they do not necessarily send out the religious police to hunt down people they assume are residing together and are unmarried. However, should someone "make a case" against you for living with someone you are not married to, and this is found to be true, you will definitely face a form of punishment. Breathe easy, I don't think they're still stoning people to death here. But jail would be a strong possibility.

Also, if you're an unmarried couple coming to visit Kuwait (WHY?!?), you'll have to do your research before getting here and checking into your hotel, otherwise you'll be assigned to separate rooms. Of course, if you're willing to pay for luxury, you'll also get privacy. So look around, but be willing to pay. And think "American."

Does all this mean there are no unmarried couples residing together in Kuwait? HA! No way. They're all over the place. It's actually quite amusing to see the men come from other countries, making more money than most have made in their life, and all of a sudden a massage goes a long way. Before you know it he's divorcing his wife in the states, moved a lovely little woman into his apartment (who he's not married to), and immediately starts making plans for green cards and blue passports. The Kuwaitis find this more amusing than me by the way.

So, there you have it. Illegal, legal, sneaky, and funny.

Since my knowledge of the Kuwaiti bedwin people is limited to that of the men, I will stick with that topic. If I attempt to tell you about Kuwaiti bedwin women, I would have it all messed up, nothing would be accurate, and I would probably make many enemies.

Bedwin men - very simple; dishdasha, ghutra, gorgeous.

OK, there's much more to them than that, but that's the first thing I always notice. The fact that I absolutely love bedwin men is one of the mysteries about me that my friends, especially my American friends, will never understand. Bedwin men are what I fondly refer to as "desert boys." They spend much of their time in dewaniya, smoking sheesha, sitting with other men, and thinking of new rules for their women to follow. Rest assured, this list of rules is ever changing, and rarely mesh with the way the women think things should be done, but always somehow meets her needs. Bedwin men will always ensure their women are taken care of, they just have a very backwards way of doing this. Many people see them as controlling and manipulating, which might not be far from the truth. While others see them as "small minded" and "less intelligent." This is far from the truth. I know many very well educated bedwin men. Yes, they still live their lives as if the year were 1910, but that certainly doesn't make them "stupid" by any means. Perhaps less willing to conform to the fake ways of others. Bedwin men almost live by their own set of rules, and make that very clear while in public. Some people consider them "rude" and I guess I consider them strong. Yes, I know, I defend them all and everything they do. My weakness...sorry. Personally, I find bedwin men to be the most desirable men on earth.

Non-bedwin men - also simple. No dishdasha, no ghutra, equally as attractive.

The non-bedwin men are the ones I refer to as "new style guys." These are the ones who wear their American clothing (even if it says "Tommy Girl" on their chest), rent the expensive vehicles to chase women in (bedwin men do this from time to time as well), and spend a great deal of time at Starbucks to just say they go there. Many more of these men choose their own wife without their mother doing the door to door visits after every wedding. Some of them even marry a woman their mother doesn't approve of, whereas a bedwin man would almost never do that. Non-bedwin men usually have a fairly "normal" marriage to a woman who works, has friends, vacations, and lives the "american" lifestyle to a degree. She is even allowed to do her grocery shopping without him or his mother present! Imagine that! Yes, I do know a bedwin man who requires his wife to call him (since he is rarely at home), tell him where she needs to go so he can then have the driver take her to his mother's home, so the mother can escort her to the store, etc. Non-bedwin men do not behave this way at all. Nor would non-bedwin women usually accept the behavior of a bedwin man.

As a matter of fact, the Kuwaiti women I know are all non-bedwin, and take steps to avoid the bedwin men at all cost. Such as reading where their veichle is registered (license plates show this) before talking to him. Men from Jahra can forget it! On the other hand, if I could read Arabic, I would probably be seeking those Jahra men for myself. Though I do have a pretty good eye, and can pick out a bedwin man from a mile away. Not sure what my attraction is there, but perhaps it's that I have "bad boy syndrome" or I just prefer "controlling" men.

Either way, they make Kuwait a much more beautiful country to look at.

No...I am not looking for one, so please do not send a message replying with something really ridiculous like, "I am an eligible Kuwaiti man. I mean, I have 2 wives and 12 kids, but I can see you for 2 hours on Friday nights." That isn't quite the "eligible" most women are looking for. Unless of course she's what we often refer to as the "5KD girl" then you can skip the 2 hours as long as you show up with a 5KD e-zee card for her phone.

Back to the point at hand...

This is yet another post in response to an email I received from some random person asking how she can find eligible Kuwaiti men. No offense, as I am sure she's lovely, but perhaps a little insane.

So, to answer the question, there are many ways to meet Kuwaiti men. If you're looking for one to marry refer to the post below. However, you can meet them as easily as driving down the street and glancing to the left or right. Rest assured if there's one next to you....you can meet him. Not that I suggest pulling over on the side of the road to exchange phone numbers, as you will have already made a first impression and it's not going to be a good one. And don't be surprised if you suddenly start receiving many phone calls from Arabic speaking men saying things you probably wouldn't want translated.

Are all Kuwaiti men spending their days and nights chasing women? Of course not. There are some who spend their time with family and friends, and incredibly loyal to their wives. The other 99.9% are chasing the women. And if he's driving a car valued at more than KD8,000, women are usually chasing him as well.

However, Kuwaitis in general (at least the ones I've met) really do like Americans. They're intrigued by our lifestyle, and most have been to America. They have a great respect for us as long as we respect ourselves, and they're more than willing to share their culture and knowledge with you. In my opinion, being the curious American is the best way to meet Kuwaitis (men or women). They're very social people who will open their doors and help you every step of the way through some very difficult challenges while you're in Kuwait.

Respect is very important in this country. You must respect yourself in order to be respected, and you absolutely must respect the men you meet here. Some women (especially American) find this to be somewhat "degrading" to women in general. Almost as if we're condoning the "women are inferior to men" theory. No, I don't condone this at all. Though the majority of Kuwaiti men I have met don't treat their women as though they're inferior. Are they protective and controlling to a degree? Absolutely without a doubt. But is this their form of manipulation? I just don't think so. I think it's their way of showing they care.

Then of course you have the different types of men....bedwin and non-bedwin. That's an entirely different post that would require much more time than I have right now. I have always been the "bedwin lover" kinda woman, which really confuses most. Even the Kuwaitis! I am slowly learning the other side....but it almost feels like I have left the planet of Bedwinisms, and moved to Normalcy.

Anyhoo, Kuwaiti men are all over the place and they're ready and willing to meet American women. If you're looking for one, walk outside, take a drive, or go to the mall. Oh, and if you're really desperate, go to the airport and turn your bluetooth on.

See how easy that was?