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We all squeezed into the car and went towards Ikea and also some car dealers. I always get confused on the directions as it is hard to navigate with the added responsiblity of passengers and also drive in the roads here.

And also I had forgotten to fill up the car with company provided gas on the way out of the office so by the time we got near Ikea with a car full we were running on fumes. I certainly didn’t want to run out. And so they had their lesson in finding out things. I pulled into a car wash and I told the kids well I first need to find someone who speaks English. Well kind of but they didn’t have a clue where the gas stations are. They are generally on the main freeways but I”ve never needed them so don’t know where they all are.

So we ended up at the big Al Ghanam and went in to look at furniture. And there we got our first purchase, a leather couch on for a good price of $399 KDs cash. Well cash was the issue as I’m backlogged with expenses that the company owes me, but fortunately the Bank of Montreal debit card worked. So the couch will be delivered shortly. Marja was impressed with the price, a three seater, two seater and single chair in full grain leather well built from Malaysia for equivalent of $1600 CAD. And it was the last day of spin to win. If you purchase over 250 KD you can spin the wheel for prizes. So we let lucky Sumati spin and won a 50 KD gift certificate valid only in the Al Ghanim furniture and acessories store. Then we went to the ubiquitous Starbucks for a small break to discuss plans and in that time discovered that they don’t do Tazo Chai here! So Marja had a tea with steamed milk.

Then we went into the adjacent Al Ghanim electronics section and looked at TVs etc. and finally bought a toaster. So now we’ve accumulated some heaters and a grill and a toaster.

Tomorrow we’ll go for the microwave and try to look at cars and a cell phone for Marja. We’re thinking used Suburban on credit.

And then on the way out I found an Oula service station very close by and put 2 KDs ($8 CAD) and got nearly half a tankfull or about 30 litres. That was even premium.

Well, the shipment is here and for customs they need a copy of my Civil ID. Well in fact, you need to give a copy of it for almost anything here!

So I signed a declaration saying that the shipment does not contain:

• Pornographic literature, videos, films and pictures (incl. Simple nudity of all kinds)
• Alcoholic beverages (incl. Fine wines)
• All narcotics and drugs. Importation of any narcotics (incl. Seemingly innocent dried poppy flower arrangements) can lead to very severe legal action and even long prison terms.
• Firearms, ammunitions. Explosives and any weapon (incl. decorative items such as swords and draggers).
• Products of Israeli origin / manufacture, or any items on Israeli blacklist.
• Any items made out of ivory.

I phoned the shipping agent and asked what about the Israeli black list as I don’t know what is on the list. He said as long as no contraband. I don’t want to sign saying nothing on the blacklist if I’ve never seen it. One other list we saw said even things like regular music CDs are on the blacklist.

With CDs etc. he said that the Ministry of Communications examines them up to the discretion of the customs officer.

So, Thursday 8:30 a.m. I need to go to the airport cargo terminal and be there while customs inspects the shipment.

I’ll publish my experience of the inspection.

There is no doubt at all that Cleo and Boo are relaxed with each other. Here’s proof:

Well, I got my new car, a white Caprice, sort of. Probably the permanent one will come in a few days, also a Caprice. This is also a new one. I put almost 200 km on it today with going to work and shopping. It rides nice and the 6 CD changer is nice for spending so much time in the car.

I did find the Ikea this evening and grabbed some little things. I don’t wan’t to get too much too early, or stuff we don’t need for the future.

The weather today is super windy and the sand was blowing across the road at times obscuring visibility.

It gave me a thought as I saw the sand blowing eroding the berms of sand beside the road and at the same time the green grass taking root and trying to grow over the berms.

There were two powers happening there, entropy and the power that makes everything grow.

And in another small world example, I met a person today who is from the Kootenays. That is in the middle of British Columbia, Canada. Obscure place but guess what. That is only a few miles from where we had some land that is now still in the family. This is the second person I’ve met from the area, the other person was from Nelson. They are both teachers here. As they say, small world!

Let’s hope the wind eases up for Sunday the big day of family arrival. 🙂

IKEA Kuwait – Kuwait City
If you are looking for me on Saturday evening. And in case you wonder why there is an Al Homaizi Limited it is because foreigners or foreign companies can’t own businesses in Kuwait so there are always Kuwait agents used. Starbucks is another example of this.

Opening Hours
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Open on Fridays.
Special hours during Ramadan.

Tel: 4810477, 4810848
Telefax: 4843234
Customer services direct number: 4847755

Al Homaizi Limited
P.O. Box 3698,
13037 SAFAT, KUWAIT

This is interesting, this morning at the gym, earnestly rowing hard burning off the three kilos I gained in the last couple of months I saw on the TV that:

• The Iraq election results were posted today. And as I see on the web, the results are of course not without controversy.
• A whale is caught up the river Thames.