Kuwait fun
Population of Kuwait is 2 million but only about 800,000 of that number are Kuwaiti, the rest are expats. There is a American presence in the south of the country, but they keep it low profile.
The local currenty is Kuwaiti Dinar and Fils (1000 fils in 1 dinar) current exchange rate, 1 Kuwaiti dinar = roughly $2.5 US or more. 300 fils will buy you a pack of smokes over there, considering there is only 3% import tax.
The country is muslim as you can guess, and it is strict. No eating or drinking during the day time, during Raamadan (fasting month). If you are caught by the police they can put you in jail until the end of the month!!
You can not enter the country without before already knowing someone in the country and having a visa ready, which you pick up just before going through customs.
ALCOHOL is stricly forbiddin, to be taken into the country, and will be conforscated and all bags will be checked by a customs officer. Kuwaities have the right have the right to pass unhecked through customs. though???
The Kuwait towers wher built by a czech man, and is used to hold water. The biggest tower is able to hold 1 million litres of water if need be. Hugh desalination plants work no stop to produce the water for the country which is of very high quality. The quality of the water is very high, sand and silt settles in the pipes and you have to filter it if you want to use it to wash clothes. You can drink it but use a ceramic filter is the best, they cost a about 3 dinars.
There are still lot of ordinates in the desert from the war, which I found personally at mutla ridge and other places. They say not to go to far into the desert on you own because of this problem (mines) but just look for tire marks. ;)
Rent in Kuwait is rather expensive, anywhere near the city, if you want nice, you would pay through the nose. South it is a different story, the only problem is, fintas, (where the nice, CHEAPER places are) is about an hour and an 10 mins drive from the centre of town.
Food is all imported, fruit is mainly from Holland, US and there is Irish, New Zealand, and Australia meat. Everything is top grade and top prices too. They also bring food from Saudi which is a bit cheaper and it is also of also very good quality. The local produce is half the price of imported stuff and is also fresh and I think as good. The Jabria co-op has a local fruit and vegetable shop that has good produce.
I hope you like driving fast if you drive. Hire a car that can keep up the latest Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche. Nice roads means, high speeds. Women can drive by the way, unlike Saudi, but you will get shit from people if you are on your own!! So don't freak-out. Actually that goes for out of the car too, so be on your gaurd, cover yourself properly girls but you don't have to cover your head.
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