Happy Holiday from Kuwait

Yes it is true!  After only 9 teaching days, many teachers in the Middle East are blessed with a 10 day class free vacation! What?  How can that be? 

Well the Muslim calendar moves back 11 days every year because it is dependent on the phases of the moon. Realizing that this second Eid break was going to fall so early in September, the powers that be at our school determined that we would begin classes during the last week of August, resulting in an early return to Kuwait. 

I have been here since August 19th, started PD on August 22, and began classes on August 29. After just nine days (Monday-Thursday for week 1 and Sunday-Thursday for week 2) we have been set free for two weekends and five school days. It is wonderful. 

Last year, my husband and I met in Germany for this particular break, but this year I decided to stay put and do some exploration of the city on my own. It has been splendid.

 First of all, here is a little bit about Eid from Google:

"Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice), also called the "Sacrifice Feast" or "Bakr-Eid", is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two. 

• Significance: Commemoration of Ibrahim (Abraham)'s willingness to sacrifice his young first-born and only son in obedience of a command from God.
• Observances: Eid prayers, sacrifice of a sheep, cow, goat, buffalo, or camel." 

When we were in Egypt we were witness to all sorts of animal sacrifices, typically sheep; however here in Kuwait, I haven't seen any of the blood or bones. Actually the streets are somewhat deserted. According to the children in my class, families either travel out of the country or go to their chalets by the Sea. 

That has left me to follow this typical daily schedule...

• 3:45 am- Up and put on the coffee
• 4:00 am- Contact husband in Canada via Skype
• 5:00 am- Go out for a walk (whenever the sun comes up!)
• 7:00 am- Breakfast at the flat or a local restaurant
• 7:30 am- Go back to bed or read or cook or visit with friends or play with the cat
• Noon- Lunch
• 1-4 pm- Work on school planning
• 4-6 pm- Go for a swim (if the pool is open, which is wasn't for the past two days) OR go to the gym in our building
• 6 pm- Dinner
• 6:30-8 pm- Watch TV or read 
• 8 pm- Lights Out

So far this break I have spent time with three new-to-our-school teachers, three teacher-we-worked-with- in-Egypt, a teacher from KES (Kuwait English School), and colleagues from last year, one of whom  just got a new dog!  His name is Jack and he is the most beautiful and docile chihuahua I have ever met. I did not get a picture of him yet, but here are some of the cats from friends in Mahboulah:

Loomi a.k.a. Em's Cat

Parkinson's Cat #1

Parkinson's Cat #2

That brings me to my cat...Peekaboo (originally Picabu) is affectionate, playful, and very hairy. She sheds all over the dark brown furniture and most of her hairs are white. That, plus the dust from living in the desert, keeps both me and a cleaning lady on our toes. She is lovely, but she is also a climber and I have found her in various perches throughout the apartment. 

MY CAT- Peekaboo I LOVE YOU!

The rest of the week looms ahead...the swimming pool opens tomorrow and I will add an evening swim to the mix of activities. On Wednesday and Thursday, the school is also open for a few hours. Tutoring begins on Saturday and then it is back to the Grade 1 classroom. 

Looking forward to classes starting again.  I think it may be like starting all over again, but at least the children have an idea of what to expect from me. And my expectations of them are as high as ever. 

Until next time, 

Bee Rich

PS  Found this bit of nostalgia on my laptop- taken from a bulletin board at school last year...still rings true!

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