’’Please limit to one question per question’’
-- George Dubya Bush, 27th march 2003, To the press before begining the meeting with his dog Blair
Its been 2 years that I have been to kuwait now. The last time I was in Kuwait was in August 2001 to get my Visa to come here. Since US and Kuwait enjoy a ’’over-friendly’’ friendship (u dont need a visa to go to kuwait or vice versa if you are british or american), Visa was a piece of cake. Since then, the war clouds and building tension has resulted in me not going to kuwait. I long to go there again and spend time again. Its not your regular place to speak of, but it has its own charm. Interested in knowing more of kuwait, read on!
History
Kuwait has had pretty violent past. First the bullies of last few centuries, british, ruled it for several years. As the british empire fell apart, kuwait was also given to Turkey. After yet another fight with turkey, they became free to become kuwait. Yet another war later with Saudi defined the new boundary between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Around 1900s, Iraq too became free from Turkey. It was when the trouble started. Initially, the Kuwait province was in the areas controlled by then captive Iraqi king. Hence once free, Iraq staked its claim on Kuwait as its own part. However, by that time, Kuwait didnt want to join anyone. Once in 1913, 1932, 1961 and 1963 Iraq argued on taking in Kuwait. People may have two views here that Kuwait did actually belong to Iraq at one point of time, however, it was also granted freedom. Kuwait was always under the greedy eyes of uncle sam, and their slow but growing friendship was visible. Things fell all over the place when Kuwait was captured by Iraq for around 7 months; and the coalition forces came to rescue kuwait after 7 months - strange aint it - that time it was not coalition forces which saved Kuwait...it was America! - this time its not America which is attacking Iraq, its coalition forces!
Kuwait in itself is a very small country. But the amount of oil that country produced was of enviable amount simply put. Without saying, Oil was, is and will always be the chief export of Kuwait. Everything else in kuwait is mainly got from outside world in exchange of oil. Until the late 1950s, the Indian Rupee was an accepted form of currency in Kuwait; both countries enjoy excellent relations. Around late 1950s kuwait dinar was born, which went on to become world’s toughest currency. Its valued at around 4 $ for 1 Kuwait dinar, and will stay that way unless uncle sam gets other ideas of liberating them. Petrol or Gasoline is the cheapest in the world. You cannot find it any cheaper anywhere in the world believe me!
Kuwait is ruled by the king - I dont know his name...its too long! However, kuwait also enjoys partial democracy. There is a parliament and a PM too. The rest of the parliament except the PM is chosen through voting. The king enjoys his control on defense and of course oil. PM has more powers than the king, but the king may intervene if he wants to. There are two royal families in kuwait - A single King rules the state of kuwait until he dies. Then, the other royal family appoints a king of their own member and he rules kuwait until he dies. The royal family which does not get the kingship enjoys the post of PM. Kuwait one of the few if not the only country where ’’women’’ are allowed to vote. Though it created quite a stir in the arab world, kuwait went ahead with its partial democracy idea. Kuwait also enjoys the wrath of arab world because of its over friendly nature with united states.
Interesting Details
There are no income taxes in kuwait - which makes it a very lucrative place to work for. Plus, being the strongest currency makes a person with a good job mint money. If you are in a good position - especially with an american experience backing behind you, then you may get jobs worth 3000 to 4000 kuwait dinars a ’’month’’ - dollar terms - around 12000 per month. You can get an idea of rich the country really is. Kuwait is also placed around 7th in the world for highest per capital income, way ahead of any of its neighbours, british, or america. For trivia, Iraq too enjoyed it for a while. There are 3 to 4 times more outsiders in kuwait than kuwaitis themselves! Hence to increase the population of kuwait, every child bearing kuwaiti family gets funds from the king for education and upbringing of children. After their secondary education, kuwaitis can go anywhere in the world to get higher education at the full expense of the government. Also, queens who give birth to princesses of kuwait can also go and stay in any part of the world at kings expense. Prince bearing queens are however given even more royal treatment. Kuwaiti citizenship is not granted to any one outside of kuwait...however long he/she may have stayed there. One cannot buy property too in Kuwait unless you are a Kuwaiti or get special permission. There are some strict rules on which kuwait runs on and abides by them.
Kuwait is on the seashore, and most of the country has a long sea line. The most developed offices and buildings are ofcourse on the gulf street only. There are lots of beaches in kuwait, and its one of the few places in arab world where women are allowed to wear one piece swimsuit! Kuwait also has one of the best medicine facilities in whole of gulf. Even though being on the gulf, kuwait enjoys totally dry climate. Its very few days of the year that you will get humidity and sweat - quite a strange fact for a place on a seashore. The summers can get real horrid to about 51 Degree celcius. Winters can be pleasent to quite cold but not drastically cold. The best season to visit kuwait is any time of year other than summer. No special flowers or fruits bloom for anyone to visit there! Nor does kuwait have any uninteresting museums on broken bells to piss you off. All in all, there are few places in kuwait to visit and the country doesnt take any trouble to invite tourists. Those who come fine, those who dont fine!
For the rest of the review please take the trouble of reading part 2 of the review written under the travel destination salmiya which is a small city within kuwait! I couldnt summarise all of what I wanted to say in one review.
’’Good Job!’’
-- Overheard, Bush to his dog Blair, after the press conferance!