A tourist in Kuwait?

I ask a lot of questions - but as it stands, I can remember about 1/10th of what I am told in response. I wish it were the other way around, because this blog I am about to write would be so much more interesting - including wonderful tidbits about the nuances of culture, dress, economy, history as discussed with my two gracious hosts today, Lisa Heilbronn and Patricia Redding.

Oh well.

So Kuwait is an interesting place, it sits on the Persian Gulf, with the Gulf Road running right alongside - reminding me of Highway 90 on the Gulf Coast. But that is where the comparison ends. The iconic Kuwaiti Towers give away that you are in a unique place. These are quite beautiful, but unfortunately not open to the public because of maintenance. The outside of the globes are covered in enameled steel discs! (I am sure you can Google a detailed shot.)
As it stands, Kuwait has been through a lot since Saddam Hussein/Iraq invaded in 1990, eventually leaving after assistance from the US in 1991. He left a lot of destruction and ruin in that short amount of time. Since then, Kuwait rebuilt, and continues to grow into what they hope will be a tourist destination - as yet to be determined. Try finding a tourist map of real use here!

This country roughly the size of New Jersey seems to be more liberal (if that is the right word) than its surrounding neighbors of Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Women drive, can wear what they like, although it wasn't until 2005 that they were given the right to vote. If I remember right - and that is constantly in question - actual Kuwaitis are outnumbered, at roughly 1/3 of the population of 4 million (correct me if I am wrong). There are a lot of people from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Syria, Philippines working in the service industry. It is common to have house help, including a maid or two. One interesting tidbit is that there were 7 original merchant families in Kuwait pre 1900, the Sabah family was given charge of "ruling," but not the royal status. So they are the ruling family of Kuwait. The Emir and Crown Prince are from the Sabah family, here are their headshots illuminated at the entrance of the Youm Al Bahar marketplace.   

Driving around the city, it seems that you see very little of the old and more and more being built of the new. I asked, and it seems that holding on to the traditional architecture was not as important, allowing it to be mown down for larger high rises. But there seems to be some light at the end, a small minority interested in preserving the structures that remain like the Sadu House, because, really, I don't think you need more bright "neon" lit skyscrapers (Dallas, you know what I mean).

The old American Hospital off Gulf Road, a perfect pairing of the old architecture and the new.

                                                                                                                                                    

Marina Yacht Club

Building shot while driving through Kuwait City