It must be Eid

Sure signs that it is Eid in Kuwait:

• Teenage boys are left to 'play' and entertain themselves on the streets with their air rifles. Fun. (This goes on into the small hours of the morning!)
• Their are lots of happy Kuwaiti drivers on the roads, new cars are often given as gifts at Eid. (Nice gift huh!)
• The roads are much quieter in the morning (everyone stayed up too late shopping) - you'll be sure to be able to find a seat at your favourite cafe for breakfast.
• Blood stained bricks and cement from the slaughter is still evident (even though street slaughter is apparently , from this year, now banned in Kuwait).

All this aside, I realise that Eid Al-Adah (or 'big' Eid) is a very religious celebration for many muslims. Even I am drawn to watch the rituals in Mecca (on TV). There is something quite hypnotic about watching the masses of people circle the Kaaba. (It is forbidden for non-muslims to go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, but the Hajj (the holy pilgrimage) is on nearly every local channel.)

(I would tell you why Eid Al-Adah is important-but I don't know if it is interesting. Basic fact-it is to remember Prophet Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his only son- he didn't have to do it in the end, Allah intervened and he was able to sacrifice a ram, so it is tradition for muslim families to do the same).

On the Hajj, the men dress in simple white clothes and  move like waves (there would be little choice in the direction, toilet stops would be a tricky one!). Nearly 3 million people started the Hajj this year. Pretty much a logistical nightmare. Scenes on the TV showed men trying to create shade for a rest in any space they could find in the 35 degrees heat.

It is quite a sight at Kuwait airport alone. Planes are turned into buses, with hundreds of men (and women, but mostly men) just waiting to get onto the next one to enable them to start the Hajj. Sleeping at the airport until they are next in line. Many just hope to go once during there life time and save up all their savings to take the journey. After the Hajj, the airport is again heaving with the pilgrims and their gallons of holy water that they have brought back.

But then, the bit that we all love...the sales start!!

Eid Mubarak

I am just back from spending Eid in Dubai, visiting my dad and having an early birthday celebration (basically just a wee excuse to leave Kuwait and travel again, Megan! )

 

 

After stocking up in products from the 'non-muslim' section of the supermarket (mmm-pooorrk!) and having a drink (or twenty), I need to have a healthy week. I got up for a 16km run this morning. Now I only have enough energy to unpack my bag between naps!

The grass is always greener, the air is always cleaner

I have not quite settled into my Kampala routine yet. I think I am trying hard to fight it. In the staffroom at school we joke that we have been so busy with; assessments, meet the in-laws night (I mean parents!) and teaching, that we have not had time to have our usual pedicures that make us function in the developing world a little bit more easily! I have not even managed to squeeze in a tennis lesson and only once have I been doing the down-ward dog (in yoga!) on a Saturday morning! It must have been a tough few weeks!

Although I enjoy all of these things once in a while, I think I got my fill of the 'good life' in Kuwait. Not the Tom and Barbara tomato growing, chicken farming 'good life', more like Margot's life;  manicures, flashy cars and lunches.

So now, I would rather get out of the city. I am busy booking accommodation for both my October and December safaris and I haveLacam Lodge  on speed-dial on my phone...just in case we get a long weekend for Eid!