Kuwait National Day

Today is Kuwait's National Day. It is a celebration of the date when they became fully independent from Britain in 1961. Tomorrow is Liberation Day and I will explain that more in tomorrow's post. Here in Kuwait both holidays are celebrated with fireworks and celebration in the streets, at Bak4More we are going to mark this day with some random scenes from Kuwait.

This is a picture of someone's home decorated for the National and Liberation Days.

From Scenes from Kuwait

They proudly display their flag on just about every bridge in the city.

From Scenes from Kuwait

Here is a picture of the Gulf taken from a resturant owned by one of my friends.

From Scenes from Kuwait

This is another picture of the Gulf. It is a little blurry since I was driving at the time, but you can see a ship on the water and the city skyline in the background.

From Scenes from Kuwait

The discovery of oil and the Kuwait control of the that oil is all very recent history. Oil was discovered in the 1940s and it was not fully controlled by Kuwait until the 1970s. So the riches of this country are only really a generation old. That being said there are still things in this country that look like they would have prior to the oil riches.

From Scenes from Kuwait

From Scenes from Kuwait

Those pictures were both taken at what is called the "Animal Market" there are not just sheep for sale, you can pretty much by any animal from a canary to a chicken to a puppy.

There are other things in this country that reflect the new wealth. Like this Lexus...

From Scenes from Kuwait

With plastic on the seats!

From Scenes from Kuwait

After the first Gulf War and the US involvement in driving the Iraqis out of Kuwait, the Kuwaitis embraced all things American. Giving our resturants prime locations on the coast. Like Starbucks.

From Scenes from Kuwait

And Pizza Hut.

From Scenes from Kuwait

Just to name a few.
It is actually one of the biggest surprises for us in living here. Anything "American" you want, you can find it here. You may have to pay for it, but you can get it.

Then there are the things that just make us, as cautious Americans, shake our heads. Like the kids hanging out the windows of the car as it flys by you at 70mph. Or the construction workers with no hard hats, safety glasses, or even shoes on!

From Scenes from Kuwait

Let's just say there is no car seat law here and definitely no OSHA!

We are really enjoying our time here in Kuwait, and I hope this post gave you a little peak into what Kuwait is like. Happy National Day Kuwait! Thanks for hosting us.

From Scenes from Kuwait