Mexican Food and Memories.

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Fiesta, party of one...

It is Tuesday night, the perfect night for a Mexican fiesta!  Actually, I believe that every night is the perfect night for a Mexican fiesta or at least Mexican food.  Therefore, with Mexican on my mind, I set out to the bakala to obtain the necessary ingredients.  In Kuwait?  At a bakala?  Yep.  Much to my shock it was not as difficult as I imagined (everyone really does love Mexican food)! 

My Firey Fiesta Salad (clever name…right?)

·      Lettuce- check

·      Jalapeno peppers-check

·      Tomato-check

·      Cheddar Cheese   Halloumi Cheese:  a delicious white, salty cheese.

·      Sour Cream   Labneh:  The Turkish version of sour cream—SO GOOD!

And there you have it, a complete Mexican meal!

Moving on to part two of the post,  I am stealing this idea from my good friend Kelli.   

My 30 Most Awesome Life Experiences (Since I moved overseas).  There were a ton before, but this is an expat blog after all…

(In no particular order)

The Land of Eternal Spring.

1.     The last phone call I made from US soil, to Wayne, I was hysterical.

2.     My first view of Guatemala City from the plane window.  “What the HELL have I done?!?!”

3.     The morning I was shit-bombed by my hotel roommate. A long, stinky story.

4.     Celebrating an epic birthday with Kelly N.  (como se dice…)

5.     My first road trip to El Salvador.

6.     Saying goodbye to friends. Awesomely painful.

7.     Opening the third bottle of wine at Portal with Darryl.

8.     Ghost Whisperer nights with Kelli.

9.     Learning how to do “the clam” with Nina in El Salvador.

10.  Lasik

11.  The Hotel Hann in Costa Rica.

12.  Outrunning the "black truck" cops in Guate.

13.  Cooking lessons with Mom in Nicaragua.

14.  Finding the pooch.

15.  Coming home for the first time after my house had been cleaned by the maid.

16.  Pricesmart and Acas y Alas with Brian.

17.  Drunken weeknights with Sola….we will only drink two or three.

18.  My first real taste of desert heat…that shit ain’t no joke.

19.  Quitting smoking.

20.  The first sighting of loved ones at baggage claim.

21.  The instant(s) I secured a new job.

22.  Seeing my nephews for the first time.

23.  Drinking many beers on the side of the road during an 8 hour traffic jam on our way to Irtra.

24. Drinking beers on the roof of the hotel in Antigua with Marisa.

25. The birth of “CBH” at The Patio.

26. Breaking my foot in Belize….UnBelizeAble

27. Livingston and Queen Anne.

28. Our road trip to El Salvador after picking up Patrick from a golf tourney hosted by Patron.

29. The UF vs. Alabama game. "I just need a little chocolate up in me."

30. Epic shots and rainstorm in Sipacate with Mom and Wayne.

Of course there are tons more and I know there will be more to come. What are some of your moments? 

Current Bakala Total:   15.350 KD ($54.69)

It only happened once….

And it didn’t mean a thing.  I swear! 

I think I have cheated, but I need some input on this.   I bought some food at our school’s canteen (lunchroom).  I didn’t think about it, just did it.  I was hungry, didn’t have lunch, needed to eat, and there it was.  Blimpie.  They lured me with their delicious subs and cheap prices.  But does this really count?  When I gave up eating out for Lent, I was thinking more of the “let’s go to dinner, sit at table, order food, and have a chat.”   So, did I really cheat? Cast your votes.  Feel free to throw stones. I am going to continue thinking that I didn't cheat, but I am also not going to let it happen again.  Just in case…

Temptation and Potato Salad

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Day 2:   

Photo Credit

Temptation is always around.  Always.  Day 2 of Lent just happened to fall on my Friday (I now have a Sunday-Thursday work week).  For those of you that don’t teach school, Thursday afternoon at 3pm is a magical time.  The excitement in the air is actually palpable. The weekend is finally here!  Just imagine how excited and relieved you are on Friday, minutes before that end of the workweek and amplify that by thousands of students buzzing in the hallways.  It is a pretty wonderful time.  A moment when anything can happen, the promise of fun to be had is being made.  Where will this weekend take me?  What type of fun is just around the corner?

On this particular Thursday, as I was high on the fumes of promise I met a friend in the hallways. 

“A bunch of us are going to eat dinner tonight at a new Mexican restaurant.  You in?” 

“Holy hell, I love Mexican food! I am SO in!”

“Cool, we are going to smoke shisha first and then head over to eat.  I’ll call you and let you know the details.”

“Sweet.  Oh shit!  I gave up eating out for Lent.  Shit!” 

“Well, I owe you 12KD, what if I just pay for you.”

“Hmmm…that could work.  No.  No.  No.  Then I would technically be paying for myself.  Shit.  I can’t cheat on the SECOND DAY!”

“Cool.  I’ll call you later and we’ll get drunk.”

“Sounds like a fair consolation prize to me!”

Dang that is a lot of mayonnaise!

To kill the time I decided to make potato salad.  This was an epic undertaking as I was making potato salad for 100.  Off to the bakala to get potatoes: pounds. Eggs: 18. Mayonnaise: 4 jars.  Onions:  4.  Then it was back home to peel, chop, boil, and combine. The entire process ended with a pan of potato salad that weighed about as much as a toddler and it was good.  Damn good!  Two days later,  my apartment still smells like onions and I am firmly atop the Lent Wagon! 

Bakala Total:  9.600KD  ($34.15) Dang that potato salad was expensive!

Here we go again...

Happy Ash Wednesday!

Happy Pancake Tuesday!!

Today the fun begins-Lent!  I am not an overly religious person, but I do hold on to some fundamental traditions from childhood. One of these traditions is Lent.  I remember being a kiddo and getting a card from our church.  For each day that you successfully abstained from your chosen vice, you placed a quarter in a slot on the card.  At the end of Lent, you got to cash in!!  For some reason this act of self deprivation was fascinating to me then and still fascinates me now.  As cheesy as it sounds it helps me appreciate all the stuff that I take for granted in my life, and trust me there is a lot of cool shit in my life that I take for granted.


This year I have decided to celebrate the Lenten season by abstaining from shopping (and soda, and red meat, and...). For those of you just joining in on the fun, I usually give up my beloved friend alcohol. However, since I recently moved to a dry country I think that abstaining from alcohol is far too easy, not really a challenge. And for reasons still unbeknownst to me, I sure do love a challenge!!!

Since this is my second year giving up shopping I have upped the ante to keep things interesting.   Last year,  I took shopping to mean "the act of purchasing new items."  After Lent, I realized that I truly enjoy the act of shopping, not just buying.  I enjoy hearing the click of my heels on the tiled floors.  I enjoy the abundance of smells that bombard you when you enter each store.  I enjoy the act of touching each item; feeling the “new”.  I enjoy the barrage of sounds that pour out of each store.  I enjoy watching the masses as they mill around the mall. I enjoy it all!  Therefore, this year I have not only banned myself from purchasing items…I have banned myself from the mall!  In Kuwait, this is a REALLY big deal—trust me! Remember I love a challenge! 

40 Days at Bakala Qamar!

What does all this babble about challenges and Lent have to do with a Bakala you ask?  And just what in the hell is a Bakala?  Both valid questions! A Bakala is a local mini-mart.  Tiny, tiny, tiny, and small.  About the size of my mother's living room.  It has everything you could possibly need and then some.  To make this Lent even more challenging (remember I told you I love a challenge), I have limited myself to only shopping at the Bakalas behind our house. I can't take total credit for this idea...my former roommate Andrea and I came up a similar challenge while we were living in Guatemala.  

I had to look back at my rules from last year to refresh my memory...

The rules this season are as follows:

• I can only purchase necessary items that I am planning to consume right away.
• I can only buy Mimosa's dog food outside of the Bakala.
• I can not eat out, unless I am on vacation.
• I am limited to one magnet and one keepsake from each country I visit during Lent.

This year's updated rules:

• I can only purchase necessary items that I am planning to consume right away (food and toiletries) at the local Bakala behind my house.
• I can buy Mimosa's dog food outside of the Bakala.
• I can only eat out when I am on vacation or when someone else treats me.
• I can only enter a mall to see a movie or to eat out (when someone else is paying).  
• I CANNOT buy anything on vacation--NADA!   

So, the purpose of this blog is to document the antics of my Lenten challenge and might just offer some cultural insights, but no guarantees on that last one. Stick around and see how this foolishness unfolds!

And We're Off!

Happy Easter!!!

I MADE IT!!!

The challenge is over, but hopefully not forgotten!  I am going to try my hardest to stick to my low budget, low materialist lifestyle! Stay tuned... 

Thanks to everyone for the support! 

GRAND BAKALA TOTAL:  KD  42.500 or $148.93! 

Only 10 Days To Go...

Is it really almost over?

Funny how it always seems to work out this way.  At first, Lent seems like it will be so long, such a battle of endurance.  Then, before I know it, the time has come and gone!  I will admit that this Lenten challenge has been much easier than those of the past as I have been able to break it a few times while on vacation.  With that said, I have learned a TON, about myself and about Kuwait.  

Things I have learned so far (you know how I love a good list):

1. I waste a boatload of money on crap I really don't need.
2. I have let my "things" rule my life.
3. I need a hobby.
4. The local population is really great! 
5. I would rather spend my money on travel than anything else (o.k. so I pretty much already knew this one, now it is just confirmed).
6. I really LOVE eating out...I do!

I do not feel that my list does my experience justice, but it is all I got.  After this journey, I truly want to try to continue shopping in my neighborhood and saving money.  I feel a new chapter in my book of life starting!  It is quite exciting!

My favorite picture from Lebanon!

With that said, I recently traveled to Beirut, Lebanon.  I remember Beirut from the news as a child. It was scary. I am not sure what I expected, but what I found was amazing!  A really culturally rich country with tons to see and do.  Sticking to my Lenten challenge, I only purchased a magnet and a cookbook (my sister would be proud). By limiting myself, I have found that I purchase things that I will keep with me for life, things that represent what I want to remember about the country and the experience.  With only 10 more days to go, I am interested in what other lessons I will learn.  Stay tuned...

Bakala Total:KD 26.950 or $94.59

Pooch's Food:  KD 3.950 or $13.88 (1.7lbs)

CAPTAIN WILLPOWER!!!!

Hell Yes... I made it!  (was there ever any doubt?) 

I must "toot my own horn"!  I managed to venture into a glitzy, exciting, clean, well-maintained chain grocery store and not buy anything (other than the pooch's food)!  This is a GARGANTUAN feat!!!  I might be so bold as to say, comparable to a sex addict walking down Sunset Boulevard! 

I miss WIDE aisles and shiny tile, I miss neatly arranged products, I miss the chill of cold air from the frozen food aisles, I miss the perfectly aligned shelves...I MISS IT ALL!!!  Scratch that... I REALLY don't miss any of that so terribly much, what I do miss is this:

My old childhood favorite...the Mac and Cheese!!!  Why is it that other cultures don't embrace the processed, fake,  cheesy,  goodness of boxed mac n' cheese? Ummmm....I just remembered, it is because  it has no nutrition value, but DAMN it is SO good!!!  I did not buy my creamy, processed, American fabulousness and therefore I AM---CAPTAIN WILLPOWER!!!!  

Bakala Total: 20.950 KD or $73.62

Pooch's Food:  3.950KD or $13.88(1.7lbs) 

My Cheatin' Heart...

It's not what you think...

My new destination for fresh fruits!

Isn't this how all great excuses start?  "It's not what you think."  "It isn't what it looks like."  Blah, blah, blah...This time I assure you that it is not how it appears, it is not what you think!  I have not cheated on my Lenten challenge, (not yet at least) but I have cheated on my beloved Bakala Qamar.  Bakala Qamar is great for all things that I need: household items, veggies, hair dye, quail eggs, etc.  It is only lacking in one department:  fresh fruits.  Therefore I scoured the neighborhood in search of another Bakala.  Ok, so it really wasn't too much of a search as our neighborhood has about 10 Bakalas within a two block radius.  Nevertheless, I found a fantastic little Bakala about a block away that specializes in, you guessed it, FRUIT! 

Apparently, each Bakala specializes in some type of product.  Bakala Qamar seems to be great for vegetables and household goods, while our new Bakala has little in the category of household goods and veggies, but tons of fruits.   Who knew, I guess there is competition among the neighborhood Bakalas?  Anywho, this new Bakala (and don't even ask the name) is fantastic!  It is clean and bright and packed full of fruits that are priced very reasonably.  I reread my original challenge and I am sure that I have stayed within the parameters.  I merely said I would shop at a Bakala and I think I am still doing well. The true test of my willpower will be in this coming week.  The pooch is almost out of food and I will have to venture into the "real" grocery store to pick that up.  Will I be able to resist the glitzy packaging and Western foods? Taking inspiration from The Little Engine That Could...I think I can, I think I can...

I have purchased several items in the past week.  Cleaning supplies, fruits, veggies, etc.  Therefore, my total has taken a jump.  Still doing quite well and saving tons of money while supporting the "little guy"  This challenge has definitely opened my eyes to how much money I have been wasting at the chain grocery.  Also, by having to buy only what I need when I need it, I have cut done tremendously on my waste. 

Bakala Total: 12.150KD or $42.80

Back in Paradise...

Did I Make It???

The hot burning question on all of your minds, I am sure.  I believe that I did!  If you remember, the original Lenten challenge was to give up shopping.  There was a built in clause that allowed me to buy one magnet and one keepsake from each country that I visited while on Lent.  For those of you who don't know, I recently celebrated my birthday in Dubai, UAE.  It was FANTASTIC!!  Dubai is everything that it promises to be:  BIGGER, BETTER, and FAKER (not a word, I know)!  Having grown up near Disney World in Florida, I felt right at home, but I digress.  On to the important stuff...the challenge.  I purchased the following in Dubai:

• One koozie from Atlantis.
• One koozie from The Irish Village.
• One magnet.

 While some of you may be quick to think, "wait a minute, that is TWO keepsakes!"  I can justify these purchases by saying:

1. This is pretty damn good for a girl with a shopping addiction who just happens to visit one of the world's most renowned shopping capitals.  
2. Atlantis is pretty much a country in it's own right.  Therefore, I think I am good.  What do you think? 

Upon my return from Dubai, I realized that I needed rice.  Off to the Bakala I went.  Apparently rice is a big deal.  I mean, I am no dummy and knew that, but I wasn't expecting to be able to ONLY buy rice in 5kg bags (about 2.2lbs).  That is a lot of rice!

Don't let the price tag fool you.  I paid 1.400 KD for this bag of rice, two onions, and a head of lettuce.  Pretty good!  But wait, it gets even better.  When I arrived home, you can only imagine my joy when I discovered that the rice bag has a zipper!  That's right a ZIPPER!!! It's the small things...  

Bakala Total:  7.350 KD or $25.95

Alright, so it is not quite 50 eggs but I did get 30 and a free dozen from my neighbor! Why? Well, they are primarily for the pooch and I have developed a new affinity for egg salad recently.  Mimosa loves hard boiled eggs. I once read that they are great for her black fur, keeps it shiny and soft.  I believe it!  Also, since they are not refrigerated here, they last forever. I’m not kidding…months! I am so glad that I actually found non refrigerated eggs again! After living in Guatemala for four years I had grown accustomed to buying large quantities of eggs (because they are cheaper) and keeping them for longer periods of time.  Upon my arrival in Kuwait I discovered that all eggs here are refrigerated.  It was a sad day.  I was delighted to find eggs last night in Bakala Qamar!  And even more excited that they were not refrigerated! It’s the small things…

 I am off to Dubai to celebrate my birthday so blog posts will be suspended for a while.  I will be sure and stick to my rules:  only one magnet and one keepsake…this should be interesting!

Bakala Total:  5.950 or $21.00

Interesting Tidbits...

Interesting Tidbit Number 1...

Today's trip to the Bakala was full of fun and exciting information!  First and foremost, it is exactly 111 steps from my elevator to Bakala Qamar.  This is a good thing as I find myself there almost every single day.  

Interesting Tidbit Number 2...

Our neighborhood Bakala is a bit of a rarity here in Kuwait, as it is open 24 hours.  I am not sure why they are open all night, but it sure is convenient.  Now if we could only get them to sell some "special water,"  all would be right with the world!

Interesting Tidbit Number 3 (I wish I had thought of this one sooner)...

The Stash 2/19/13

I decided today to take a photo of my stash.  It will be interesting to see how my shelves will look after this challenge.  Inevitably this challenge is making me reassess my current stock of food and use each item wisely.  As you can see from the photo, I have started with a pretty good stock of items making the beginning of this challenge seem not so tough.  I wonder what song I will be a singin' after my rations start to dwindle.  Stay tuned... 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting Tidbit Number 4...

Remember in the beginning when I told you that this challenge was cooked up in my old apartment in Guatemala?  Hopefully, you don't have to think too hard, as it was only last week that this information was revealed.  Anywho, this challenge is now intercontinental as my former roommate Andrea has accepted the challenge!  Check out her progress here:  http://super24livin.blogspot.com/   Want to take bets on who will cave first?!?! 

 

Interesting Tidbit Number 5...

Ok, so this one is really just a purchase update, but I have found out that my price is completely dependent on who is behind the register!  Today I got all of this...

for just 1.400 KD or $4.96.  Interesting because he didn't even weigh the veggies, just charged what he felt was fair.  I'll take it!

Shopping List:  Do we really want to keep this going?  Let's just keep up with the total spent!

Bakala Total:  4.950KD or $17.52

Questions Answered... 

 

Since starting this challenge I have been fielding tons of questions, which is awesome!  Because most of these questions are similar, I figured I could answer all of them now in one fell swoop:

Why on Earth would you EVER do this?

There are several reasons why I choose to  partake in Lent each year... 

1. Without getting too personal or religious, I do actually complete a Lenten challenge for  the traditional reasons.  I believe that self-deprivation is a great way to remind ourselves of all the things that we take for granted everyday.
2. It keeps life interesting!  As good ole John Cougar Mellencamp (or was he just John Mellencamp or John Cougar at that time...must Google that one) once said, "life goes on, long after the thrill of livin' is gone." Challenging oneself to something difficult makes life more exciting!
3. I learn a tremendous amount about myself.  For example, right now I am learning that I REALLY need a hobby!  When did I become so materialist?  I remember the punk rock rebel that I was, but I am realizing that I have become the complete antithesis of that person.  When did that happen?  Why did that happen?  YUCK!   

You cheat, right?  I mean no one is going to know... 

 

I DO NOT cheat!  I have been completing Lent for many, many years and I have yet to cheat. If you cheat, what is the point? 

Ok, not true, I did give up smoking a few years ago and made it until day 14 and caved.  However, I knew that I was going to cheat, giving up smoking was on a whim and I wasn't psychologically prepared for quitting. I totally ratted myself out to all my friends.  I also felt terribly guilty and donated a sum of money to a charity that helps others quit smoking.  Other than that one time I have NEVER cheated.  I WOULD KNOW!

I have been known to "bank" a few of my Sundays so that I could drink during spring break, but I was prepared for this before the challenge started and it was part of the rules.  During Lent, you can indulge in whatever it is that you have given up on Sunday, this is why Lent is 47 (sometimes more) days long, but I normally refrain on Sundays and then quit a week early, hence "banking my Sundays". I have spoken with a nun concerning this practice and she assured me that, while this might not be the best method, it is acceptable.

Is a Nestle Coffee drink really a necessity?

 

 YES!

3 Days In...

Only 44 more days to go!  Today I learned two interesting facts about Bakala Qamar:

1. They deliver! All I have to do is make a quick phone call and all that Qamar has to offer will be delivered to my door.
2. They do not have toilet paper.  I probably should have done a bit more investigation before starting this challenge.Luckily I am pretty well stocked on TP so this shouldn't present a problem for a while.

Bar toilet paper, Bakala Qamar really does have just about everything.  It is amazing what they have packed into these aisles.  Every trip I seem to find some new, eccentric item.  Today's item:

I doubt I will be trying these anytime soon, but by day 20 desperation might set in!

Thus far I have made two purchases at the Bakala...one onion, one can of coconut milk, one package of shredded cheese, and two Nestle coffee drinks.  Total 2.100KD or about USD 7.44.  These prices might shock you a bit, I know that I just had to redo the conversion math about four times to believe it, but it is actually much cheaper than our local grocery store.  Plus, without the allure of fancy impulse counters and glitzy Western packaging, I am much less tempted to pick up items I don't really need.  I am hoping to save a boatload of Dinar during this adventure!  Stay tuned...

Bakala Total:  2.100 KD

Let the fun begin...

It's that time of year again...you guessed it Lent.  Each year since college I have given up something that I truly love for 40 long days and long nights.  It really is 47 days, but who's counting (oh, I AM!!!)?  My normal sacrifice has been my beloved friend-alcohol!  However, since I have just moved to a dry country, I feel that is not challenging enough.  And for some reason that is still unknown to me--I love a challenge.  So here goes...

This year I have decided to give up shopping.  Those who know me well, will know that this is without a doubt, my favorite activity, second only to breathing.  And I mean I LOVE IT! To give those of you who don't know me as well an idea of just how much I love shopping, on my first return trip home from Guatemala, I cried, literally cried when I first stepped foot in Publix (a Southern grocery store chain).  I love any kind of retail venue.  The mall, this goes without saying.  The grocery store, each visit is a minimum of two hours.  The hardware store, I have the floor plan of Home Depot memorized.  The craft store, it takes an act of Congress to pry me out of there.  The gas station, you would be surprised what wonders are hiding in those aisles.  You name it--I LOVE IT!!  I think you get the point...this sacrifice is a big deal.

Bakala Qamar...my new shopping destination.

What does this have to do with a Bakala you ask?  And what the hell is a Bakala?  Thanks for asking!  A Bakala is a local mini-mart.  Tiny, tiny, tiny, and small.  About the size of my mother's living room.  It has everything you could possibly need and then some.  To make this Lent even more challenging (remember I told you I love a challenge), I have limited myself to only shopping at the Bakala behind our house. I can't take total credit for this idea...my former roommate Andrea and I came up a similar challenge while we were living in Guatemala.  We just never got around to doing it...Andrea, if you are reading-- we could make this challenge transcontinental!



The rules this season are as follows:

• I can only purchase necessary items that I am planning to consume right away.
• I can only buy Mimosa's dog food outside of the Bakala.
• I can not eat out, unless I am on vacation.
• I am limited to one magnet and one keepsake from each country I visit during Lent.

I think that about sums it up, this one should be interesting!

Let the fun begin...