Welcome in Kuwait

Kuwait Towers, (60432)                 This pleasant greeting and the offered cup of tea by the friendly customs officer makes us feel immediately welcome in this state. We had drawn our own conclusions about a country stuck not long ago by war and are surprised to find a totally restored place. Wherever we go, we meet hospitable and open minded people, who obviously managed to erase the traces of the Gulf war in a very short time and rebuild a new, modern city. Only the burnt out Mariott-Ship-Hotel and a mural with "Thanks Allies" remember at the 100 black days of the Gulf war. Oil seems to heal wounds quickly!

During the following day, the local people show us their appreciation to see us in their country in many ways: One time, a driver honks his horn, overtakes us, rushes at a red light out of his car and gives us a hand full of sweets. Another time, the director of a supermarket is waiting at our car and asks us to pose for a photo together with him. He invites us to his office for a cup of tea and, as a farewell, gives us a set of tea cups from the Czech Republic. At another supermarket, we are given a full bag of free food products.

Water Towers Kuwait (60434)

Kuwait (60505)

By chance, we meet Oscar, a Swiss working as an advisor for the rulers family. He tells us many interesting facts about this small oil country. He also knows the Bedouins very well as he lived among them for a long time. It seems that their togetherness is very deep. Nowadays, their life is not as comfortable anymore as it was in the past because the Government cut the financial support, which is resulting in some occasional thefts. Also regarding the Gulf war, he recalls many anxious moments. Looking at the brightly illuminated industrial region, resembling now a little bit the skyline of New York, it is hard to understand that after the war not a single lamp was lighted up anymore. The black, thick smoke left the whole country in complete darkness, apart from a small gap above the ground.

Driving past immense lines of high tension towers, we say good-bye to this very hospitable country.