My sheets suck.

That is the first thought I had when I entered my apartment. It was not so much the color - electric pink with purple and teal flowers, I can sleep on that - it was that they stiff and scratchy. Like sleeping on plastic. The apartment is not bad though. Just very white, from the walls to the tile floor, to the exposed energy saver bulbs. Accented only by navy blue couches and a red and white striped chair. First up. Shopping for new stuff.

How is Kuwait? Hot and brown. I have gone from one end of the spectrum of the other coming from cool, green Portland. I have learned that Kuwait City is the hottest city in Africa/Middle East, which is saying something, because there are some hot places out there. You know when you are cooking and open the oven and feel that hot blast hit you in the face? That is Kuwait. Hot and dry. There is a wind that comes through most of the time, strongest in the late afternoon and early evening which only pushes the heat harder at you. As for the brown, nearly every building (save our school and apartment building) is a varietal shade. Think of being in a paint store that has a palette of thousands, but only in browns and tans. And that wind often causes dust storms that turns the sky brown.

Another stat I've heard about Kuwait. There are apparently more driving fatalities here than anywhere else in the world. driving here is a little crazy. They have all the traffic laws that we do, the just don't follow or enforce them. Lanes seem to be mere suggestions, and at times you will find five lanes worth of traffic on a four lane road. Or two lanes of traffic on an on or off ramp. Entitlement is the rule for driving in Kuwait. I deserve to be where you are. I've already nearly been in one serious accident, but that's just the way it seems to be. And when crossing the street? One word: Frogger. Be decisive and be quick. Drivers do not stop and they do not swerve to avoid you. If the change direction or speed at all it is usually toward you and faster. Head on a swivel.

I don't mean to make this sound all bad, It just is. It is different than what most of are used to. I'm ready for change and I feel like I need it. I don't think I could have asked for more change than this. Also, I don't think I've been clapped on the back by so many strangers. Certainly not in such a short time. People here can be extremely warm and friendly.

Oh, and thank you Ikea for your sheets.