My Kuwait trip so far
Kuwait Journal
12/28/07-12/29/07: Andrew and I left Poplar Bluff late which had us arriving around 3:00 a.m. in Springfield. I had to rush around washing/drying clothes, taking a shower, and packing before we had to take a cab. We left later than we wanted to, but getting at the airport at 5:30 a.m. was not a problem. We met up with Stephen, Josh, and I met Cina for the first time. All of us going to Kuwait were “randomly checked.” The lady told me it was random, and then asked if I was with a group. I pointed out the other four in my group. It’s something we laugh about with the supposed randomness of the check. All went well, and we flew to St. Louis which was a four hour wait. When we got to NYC we had a six hour wait until 9:15 p.m., so we decided to go out and eat. We weren’t very organized and had a tough time deciding what to do in the end, but we found out that our flight was delayed until 2:00 a.m. and then 5:00 a.m. in the end. Cina decided to go see a friend, so the rest of us went together. At Rockefeller Square we got separated leaving Stephen with Josh and Andrew and I together. Ultimately we saw Central Park, Rockefeller Square and then Andrew and I saw different areas including Times Square. There was a lot of walking and we dreaded leaving Angelo’s by Letterman’s studio, but when we did it was a short walk to 53rd and 5th Avenue. We were surprised. It seemed like we walked miles from it. I guess we did, but it was all around the same area. Anyway, we were the last to get back, so our voucher for the Holiday Inn meant nothing as there were no more rooms. After a long ride on the subway one way we got off to soon. A cool Jamaican guy helped us out, and we found out if we stayed on we would be heading back to the air train. We took an unnecessary 45 minutes or so. Once we made it to the airport we got our tickets and waited for the Holiday Inn bus for at least 45 minutes. Finally we made it back to the hotel. Once again we had no sleep. There was no use considering we had to be at the airport around 3 a.m. We used our vouchers given to us by the airline to get a few sandwiches, fruit, and drinks right at closing of the bar and restaurant. I was dying for water and juice. We all talked and took short showers to feel cleaner. Once we got to the airport we had a fun time making of Captain Obvious. Cpt. Obvious being the guy explaining the security check. Everything from the difference between liquids and other substances to how a conveyor belt works was explained. He mentioned my laughing and commenting when I got up to the point to show my passport. The guy was cool and found it funny. We waited a few hours for boarding. We boarded around an hour after the 4:30 time. On the flight I tried to sleep most of the way as it was really hot most of the time, and I really had nothing to do plus I was running on no sleep for awhile.
12/30/07: We arrived at the airport today. Nice airport. It’s nothing huge or super fancy, but very nice looking. We got our luggage after a wait where Olimat was being checked out. Everyone had their luggage arrive safely except for Stephen E. It is weird because it is not like his luggage blends in completely. We waited around for him to report it, and then we got on the bus to get to the hotel. I don’t even know where to begin in regards to the amazing hotel. We pulled up on a sweet Four Points Sheraton! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Once we got inside we all had our mouths dropped open. We sure didn’t expect something this great no matter what Olimat said. I was astounded that I’m paying such a minimal price and staying there on top of everything else. I am so thankful for this trip for sure. And if the people being nice along with the lobby wasn’t enough we got to our rooms and soaked in everything told to us after seeing the beautiful rooms. We have free room service, buffet meals, mini bar fridge, laundry service, and local calls. Free! Insanely cool. After five hours of sleep we gathered downstairs in the lobby to head to a meeting with Abdullah Al-Khalidi, director of the Foreign Media Dept. of the Ministry of Information. He was a very nice guy that told us about the freedom of the media there, and compared to some countries he was quite right. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind about others in the country. After that we headed to the Kuwait Stock Exchange. It was quite an experience to see all doing their work. Next, we headed to the Grand Mosque. It’s the seventh biggest in the world counting Mecca and Medina. It is an amazing, beautiful building without a doubt. The special reception room was off the charts really. Ever moving we continued on to meet Dr. Naser Al-Saneh, parliament member. He was a very nice guy, but I was weary of what he said about women. He said he supports their right to vote. I am not so sure. The room though. Wow! It was awesome. I’m continually amazed by the architecture and styles of buildings and rooms. At this rate I won’t have any adjectives to use without being redundant. Later that night we went to the market which was a lot of fun. One street reminded me of Fremont in Vegas without the images on the ceiling though and with a traditional Arabic market area. I know what I mean even if I cannot describe it.
12/31/07: At 9:00 a.m. we had a meeting at Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. I really enjoyed hearing about their work and how it’s expanded outside the Arab region. I really couldn’t think of anything to ask, but the questions asked helped to clarify. At 10:00 we went to the Humanitarian Operations Center (HOC) which I greatly enjoyed. I think I would like to work for them as long as they are in operation. It is sort of a place that brings NGO’s, governments, etc. together to help out in Iraq when it comes to medicine, food, etc. They seem really helpful though I’m disappointed that people are pulling out of their when troops pull out of Iraq. HOC is a good thing. It is not about hurting people. Lt. Col. Johnson works there, and she seemed quite nice, and I think she really enjoys helping on the medical side. Although I think she was justifying the war somewhat when I heard certain things she said and the way she said it. I could be wrong, but that is my view. Afterwards we went back to the hotel to eat and hang out, and at 5:30 we met the Kuwaiti Women Society. They make sure they have great press coverage for sure. Then again they should. I really couldn’t focus with 12 cameras flashing in my face non-stop plus one crew recording. It seems the group really tries to do great things to advance the rights of women. I love that since I’m a feminist myself. Anyone should be though. I need to read the information given to us to find out how much more they do other than helping educate women about voting, breast cancer, and other concerns. We ended up stopping at the Kuwait Towers afterwards to take pictures and I guess reserve for our dinner later in the week. It was an amazing view being 600 or so feet up looking over Kuwait City. The building itself is beautiful especially at night. We finally made it to the main Sheraton for our New Year’s Eve party. The place was even more amazing than our hotel! The food was delicious per usual, and we really started to get the party hopping an hour or so before NYE. We even did a countdown in Arabic and shouted “Happy New Year!” I am not so sure noise makers should be given to our group. Also, I think we broke a law along with the waiters and some of the Kuwaitis there. It was a blast! To end the night most of us headed to a sheesha place close by. In the end Eduardo, Stephen, Andrew, and I were left there after about two hours. We got back to the hotel around 2:30.
1/01/08: Today was pretty much a free day. We first went to see some Kuwaitis with Harley-Davidsons. Some members of the group went for rides. It was pretty cool to see, and the guys were cool. After we went to the area of the gulf with the mall and looked around. I saw a Hard Rock Café, and I had to go there. Josh, Eduardo, Stephen, Stephen (Texas), Andrew, and I went. It was nice to see though quite small. I bought a shirt for a souvenir. Afterwards we went to look at the harbor area and wait around. Unfortunately, Cole ate something with peanuts and had to be taken to the hospital. I was somehow oblivious to this, and maybe Eduardo and Stephen (Texas) were too. We went to the Virgin Megastore since I could not resist. I bought four Arabic CDs and could have easily gotten more. When we found our way back to the bus everyone but Olimat, Cole, and Saba were there. That is when I found out about the allergy. We waited and waited and eventually they showed up. We made it back to the hotel in time for a late lunch before going back to our rooms. We thought about seeing a movie or something as we had the night completely to ourselves. All of us ended up asleep. I fell asleep from 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. I have been up since then with no plans to go back to sleep until tonight.
1/02/08: As I said, I’ve been up forever today so far. I have had time to upload photos, catch up on the journal, talk to friends, email, and I’ve been drinking everything juice from the mini bar fridge. I went down for breakfast for the first time. It was really good. We met in the lobby around 10:00 a.m. to go to the Kuwait National Museum. It is about the occupation and liberation mainly although also the history of Kuwait such as independence in 1961. It was really cool actually with the models and lights to document the history in sort of a play scene with models. I think it’s understandable, but I am not sure how to describe this all of a sudden. Our next stop was the Parliament again. We were supposed to meet Marzouk Al-Hubain of the Foreign Affairs Committee, but unfortunately someone was in an accident. We did get a tour though which was cool. We sat in the Head of Parliament’s chair and later in the Amir’s chair. Our last stop today was the Sabu Museum to show traditional outfits, carpets, etc. that are made. It is to preserve the history of Kuwait. Some beautiful items there at the museum. Not too long ago we came back to the hotel for lunch, and we are probably about to go out and smoke sheesha. At 6:00 p.m. the guys will go to a party of the men from a wedding. We are still a little unclear about it. Cina, Saba, and I will go do something else. Saba will probably show us around somewhere. I am not sure.
But he didn’t get more than a minute of my time because Cream were coming out onstage, and I needed to soak up every nanosecond of the next two hours.
This was an aggressive version and it has aged well. As a matter of fact I also prefer it to the versions of the past. Every time Eric would sing “outside women, too,” he would, I guess, squeak his voice. I have no idea how to describe that effectively, but God I love it way too much. 
I mean it’s just those little moments such as that, or Jack on Spoonful, or that protracted note that just make a show. I could listen to that over and over for the next week, and I doubt I would get tired of it. This song could very well be the highlight for me. Then again, I’m not sure. Richard asked me afterwards when we were with Susan and hanging out at the Hoop and Toy pub. I thought this song immediately, but “Spoonful,” “Crossroads,” “Born Under A Bad Sign,” and “Sunshine of Your Love” are all so excellent. The whole thing was so good it makes it difficult to choose.
Anyway, and then to have “Badge” segue right into “Politician” was too good to be true. That was something I didn’t expect because I hadn’t read about it yet, and it just made the performance that much stronger. The song just laid down a real nice groove for the night, and I was enjoying it immensely.
He is the greatest drummer I’ve ever seen live. The groove, the swing, and the otherworldly beats -- they are all brought by Ginger like he could do this in his sleep. I mean first we have Jack and Eric playing along with Ginger on this really high-spirited intro with some great feedback from Eric, and then as they leave the stage Ginger just lights it up. The drum solo lasts near 7 minutes, maybe a minute shorter or a minute longer, and about halfway through it just gets really dirty and funkier. And those African beats! Aah, I’ve never enjoyed a drum solo so much in my life. It’s a shame Ginger is so underrated. Maybe it wouldn’t be the case so much if we just consider Cream, but his whole career after Cream is overlooked. He’s way too good to not be mentioned every time someone mentions John Bonham, Neil Peart, or whoever else. I’ll take Ginger any day. As a matter of fact from now on when people ask me who my fantasy band is instead of mixing all of my favorites together from other bands I think I’ll just be proud and true and say Cream.
