Hello from Chiang Mai

Hi all!  I have a few free minutes in my hostel and thought I would write a quick message.  I am currently in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  This is my second day here and myself and two other travel friends are waiting for our bus to take us zip-lining for the day.  Arrived in Bangkok on December 18 to a rather interesting guesthouse/hostel.  And when I say interesting I mean sketchy and disgusting but it's all part of the traveling mentality that gets you through staying a places like those.  Bangkok was a bustling and seedy city.  Let's just say there are very little rules there. It was pretty dirty too...saw too many rats for my liking.  With all the street markets it's a paradise for those disgusting creatures.  I saw a rat run through people who were drinking outside at a bar.  Then last night there was a rat fight by a garbage pile aross my hostel.  If you can't tell the multiple encounters with rats the last  days have scarred me.

So far Chaing Mai has been pretty amazing.  The city is an old walled city with a moat and everything.  We are staying in a great little hostel called The Little Bird Guesthouse.  It's only like 2 bucks a night and lights years better than Bangkok.  There are lots of outdoor things to do here since it's right at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains.  Tomorrow we are taking a trek into the mountains that will include: going to a couple local tribes, riding elephants, hiking, white water rafting, and bamboo rafting.  I'm really looking forward to it.  Well I need to get going.  My bus has just arrived.  Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!  Miss you!  Jessica

   

Kuwait Towers

Kuwait Towers at night

Is "Winter" Coming?

This weekend marked the first time where I actually felt chilly in Kuwait.  Light jacket required and everything.  I knew this would come but was still not mentally prepared for it.  It was some what of an abrupt change considering I was laying by the pool last weekend.  Today it has been drizzling on and off.  The past week the weather was heavenly though.  Pretty much perfect weather.  I hope it will make another appearance before it starts to get cool in the winter season.  With weather like this it's really hard to remember that the holiday season is quickly approaching.  I was at the grocery store the other day and there was a Christmas tree for sale (fake of course)...for the low, low price of $520.  What a steal! I think I'll just change the picture on my computer desktop to a Christmas tree instead.  

Quick Update

I must begin by apologizing for the long delay in posting.  I cannot believe that it has almost been three two months!  Oops!  Things are starting to settle down here...getting into a routine with school and relaxing on the weekend.  Unfortunately, as you know, drinking is illegal in Kuwait.  Which I am still coming to terms with accepting.  I feel that I am an adult and am able to make these decisions for myself but what can you do.  Not being able to go to a bar on the weekend makes one become a little more creative when socializing.  Pretty much hanging out at friend's apartments, playing cards, and making do with what we have.  It really isn't that bad.  That being said next weekend I willing be going to Bahrain with two other girls for the weekend.  It is a holiday here so we have November 26-30 off.  I am eagerly awaiting the chance to finally travel outside of Kuwait.  I have also been busy planning and booking our winter break in December.  I will be traveling around Thailand for two weeks with 4 other friends.  I am sure a lot of memories will be made!  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain

You Might Not Know But...

I thought I would devote this entry to clearing up some common misconceptions about living in Kuwait

• I don't have to wear a burka/abiya/jihab Kuwait does not require women to wear any of these traditional Muslim clothing, unlike many other countries (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan).  Western women do however receive a lot of attention from men.  It is respectful to cover your shoulders but I have seen many women in tank tops.    
• It's not always a dry heat Oh how I hate the people who told me it was a "dry" heat.  Not that they were completely wrong, it can be a dry heat.  Just like it can be a humid heat.  On those days it is absolutely unbearable.  114 degrees it hot enough but then throw humidity on top of that...it's just not right.  Those are when you hit the "feels like" 135 degree days.  
• I can get about any food Since this is a country where drinking is illegal I think that they overcompensate with food.  There are tons of different western chains here (Chili's, Hard Rock, Pizzeria Uno, Macaroni Grille, all of the fast food chains).  There is also a big grocery store chain that caters specifically to it's western clientele. Of course no pork products.  I find it much easier to get food and groceries that I am familiar with than it was in Scotland.  Don't get me wrong though...the local and regional cuisine is fantastic and I have definitely been taking advantage of it.  
• Kuwait is a safe city I know people assume that because Kuwait is in the Middle East then it must be dangerous.  The crime rate is ridiculously low because most people have so much money there is no need for it.  
• Kuwaitis love their malls There are so many damn malls here in all forms.  There is a Titanic mall (literally shaped like the ship), a 360 mall (forms a circle), Marina Mall (on the water), The Avenues (has everything from IKEA, Gap, Mac, Apple, Forever 21, 5 Starbucks-probably one of the biggest and nicest malls I have ever been to).  Those are just to name a few.  Again, if you can't drink and you have a lot of money what else is there to do?  
• Cats not rats Kuwait is not a clean city by any stretch.  In the five minute walk to work every morning I pass about 8 dumpsters that are in the street.  These are overran by feral cats.  Which do not look like the average American house cat.  They are almost sphinxish in appearance. 

Kuwait City Boat Tour

Here are some pictures of Kuwait taken from the Arabian Gulf (aka Persian Gulf).  My school was kind enough to take those of us who wanted out on a  yacht one Friday (aka my "Saturday") morning to take some pictures of the city.  It was a very hot day and a little hazy out, which is quite normal here, but I think I was able to capture some good pictures anyway.

Salmiya Marina- about a 10 minute walk from my apartment

Local fishing boat

Some of the other new teachers I've been hanging around with (Steph, Sarah, and Lauren D.)

Here Comes The Swine

Well the H1N1, or what I like to refer to as "The Swine", fear has officially hit Kuwait.  Yesterday, I received some fantastic news that all students 5 years old and younger (PreK/K) cannot start school until September 13.  This was issued by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Education for the entire country.  Soooo, I get two more weeks to get my classroom prepared and hopefully figure out what I'm going to be teaching!  Which also means that I only have school one week before I get the week long Eid holiday (celebration after Ramadan).  I will still have to go to school normal hours but...I think I can handle one week of teaching in the first six weeks of living here. I'm starting to really enjoy this Kuwaiti lifestyle.  

Settling In

Well, I have almost been in Kuwait for a week now but it seems like it has been a lot longer. Not in a bad way though...The school has kept us really busy from morning to night but they are so helpful and accommodating. There are about 30 new teachers this year and the majority of us are single and young. I was placed in the school apartment building with many other new teachers. In a way it feels like we are freshmans again, back in the dorms. Except this times the dorms are really nice and spacious. I have my own two bedroom apartment and more space than I know what to do with. Pictures will be sent at a later date when I'm able to settle in a little further.

To answer the question most of you are wondering, "Yes! It is really hot!" Oh no, it is not a dry heat either. Apparently, in August it is humid which makes it unbearably disgusting to be outside. The sun going down makes no difference either. For example, it is almost 1 AM right now and only 90 degrees, but feels like 110. Drinking lots of water and staying inside whenever possible. Ramadan starts tomorrow which means no eating or drinking in public during daylight hours for us westerners. This law is strictly enforced in Kuwait making hydrating a lot more difficult.

The food so far has been quite delicious. The school has treated us to many different meals, including traditional Lebanese. Lots of hummus and breads! Tomorrow we will be going to the Hard Rock Cafe for a "break the fast" dinner. The restaurant is right on the Arabian Gulf. Yes, the gulf is only 2 blocks away from my apartment. The gym I am joining has a private beach so I will be able to utilize the proximity of the ocean.

There is so much to share but don't want to overwhelm you with this one post. More to come soon. Below are a couple of pictures of some of the amazing food we tried from a great African restaurant the other night.

Packing...The Challege

Can all of this fit into these?...

Mission Completed. OK, maybe there was a little rearranging and taking a few things out to go in the carry-on in order to make the 50 lbs. weight limit...BUT looks like everything I want is coming with me.

5 Days Left in the States

Well, the countdown is officially on to my departure date: 5 days! I can't believe that summer break is almost over. I have procrastinated enough in terms of packing, so I'm going to have to really focus this week. It will get done because it has to. Packing for two years is a daunting task. So much I would like to bring but so little room. I'm starting to have a little anxiety when I think that I only have five days to get so much done, on top of the regular back to school emotions. Lots of changes happening! Here are my flight schedules if all goes as planned:

Depart Chicago O'Hare August 14 @ 10pm to Frankfurt, Germany

Lufthansa-LH433

Duration 8 hours 30 min.

3 hour layover

Saturday August 15 @ 4:30 PM, Frankfurt to Kuwait City

Lufthansa-LH636

Duration 5 hours 15 min.

Contact Information

Postal Address:

Jessica Mielcarz

C/O American International School of Kuwait

P.O. Box 3267

Salmiyah 22033

Kuwait

Courier Delivery (only):

Jessica Mielcarz

C/O American International School of Kuwait

Salmiya, Block 11

Hamood Al-Naser Street

Medan Hawalli

School Telephone number: 965-225-5155

I have created a Skype account for the other 'skypers' out there. My username is jessmiel

Welcome

hello all! so here's the deal...i am starting this blog for all who are interested in hearing about my experiences teaching in kuwait for the next two years. this is my first blog so bear with me. as some of you may know i'm not very tech savvy. however, i am thrilled at the idea of being able to share my ups and downs of moving 7,000 miles away with you. hope you tune back in whenever you can.