Ma Salaama, Part 3. Looking Forward

So what's in the future for Mister Michael Cornn?

My contract in Kuwait ends on August 15, and I start my new job in Honduras on September 1. In the two weeks in between, I'll be cruising the US. First, I'll fly back to San Diego. Of all the places I've lived in the world, San Diego is the only one I miss. I wasn't born there, but it's the only place that ever felt like home. I'm going to surf in the Pacific, get drunk at my favorite bar, and catch up with all the friends I left there.

I only be in San Diego for a few days before I start the big road trip. I have a lot of stuff in storage in San Diego that I need to move to my parents in Indianapolis. So I'm gonna rent a car and tear across the country through the old remnants of Route 66. From West to East, Horatio Alger in reverse. I drive first to Phoenix, where I'll spend a few days with my buddy Chris. Chris was born in Kenya, raised in Saudi Arabia, and got his university degree in Cairo. He taught me my first words of Arabic and showed me how to fill a nargelah. He inspired me to travel to the Middle East, and I'm anxious to swap stories with him.

After Phoenix, I have to make a mad dash to Indianapolis. I won't have time to see the Grand Canyon or the Painted Desert or the Las Vegas Whorehouse Museum. Do they have a Las Vegas Whorehouse Museum? If not, they should make one. Anyway, I'll be in Indianapolis for a few days toward the end of the month, then I'll fly to Honduras to start my new job.

I can't wait to get to Honduras. I want to speak Spanish again, drink hard liquor again, meet Latin women again. I want to see the mountains and the rain forests and the Caribbean coast. I want to see toucans and tarantulas in the wild. I want to see spider monkeys flinging monkey poop and crush cockroaches that are bigger than my hand. Maybe I got a little carried away at the last bit, but I'm really looking forward to it all.

I'll stay in Honduras for at least a year, maybe longer, but I don't plan to settle down anytime soon. After I'm done with Hondo, I think I'll be ready for some time off. I think I'll finally take that long round-the-world trip I planned out so long ago.

Since I won't be in Kuwait anymore, it won't make much sense to keep up a blog called “Kuwait.” On August 15, I'll put this blog into archive. It will always be available at http://expat.typepad.com/kuwait I'm starting a new blog at http://expat.typepad.com/honduras. It will become the default blog on this site on the 15th. I hope you'll join me in Honduras. I'll see you there!

Comments

[nibaq]

When I saw this latest post on the aggregator, I was sad to see you go and regreted not meeting you during your time in Kuwait and decided to check out what you been up to with your previous posts. Then seeing your last one and your feelings and views of Kuwait were quiet a shock. Trying to meet Kuwaitis at sheesha places? You might as well go and try to find a wife at one of those meat market clubs, where even a dog is gaurenteed a bone.

Yet I dont think meeting you would change your mind, or even broaded your opinion or view of Kuwait. You came with such promise in learning about the culture and interacting with the people and like most expats who come to Kuwait; you got in a rut. You stayed within your comofort zone of where you live and the people you interacted with in a daily basis. I dont think I even recall seeing any of your comments on the other Kuwaiti Blogs or even reply to other people's comments on your blog when they given you advice and help with your time in Kuwait.

I hope Honduras treats you well. Sad that you have to make a mad dash to Indianna, cause I would suggest visiting Mt Rushmore, and check out Wall Drug in South Dakota.

And if you still wish to actually meet some Kuwaitis before you leave drop me an email.

[The Stallion]

As like the other people who have placed a comment regarding your "Ma Salaama" posting, I feel quite sad that you had a bad experience here in Kuwait. I am a Kuwaiti who agrees with some of the things you said but I wouldn't take it too far! Unlike those you wrote about, I actually take the time and meet people! I do not treat people in a different manner! I treat people the way I wanna be treated! You can ask any Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Irani, Egyptian, or anyone who knows me about the way I interact with them and they will all tell you that I treat them better than some of thier own peers.

The foreigners here dislike ,to to the point of hatred, other foreigners here because they leave their countries so they come here just for the money PLUS even the Jordanians and Egyptians ,who do not criticize Kuwait, agree that the only reason we are hated is because of jeleousy and anomosity and not only because we are a rich country with a high per capita income!

I guess when the bible said, "He who is without sin cast the first stone," it was keeping people like you in mind, or am I mistake!

I know expats and Americans here who would rather live in Kuwait than anywhere else, so I guess it's all up to the person!

Again I would like to say that I do think you are right on somethings but it was "unfortunate," like how Rampurple put it, that you didn't get to meet people like Nibaq and myself!

As for your trip exploring the US try going down I-81 in VA since it has some really great camp ground and hiking trails and don't forget WV for thier great outdoor spots as well!

Just like what Nibaq said and actually I will quote him, "if you still wish to actually meet some Kuwaitis before you leave drop me an email." Best of luck to you!

[Hana]

The Stallion and nibag are the Kuwaitis you should have met. But my friends you are wasting your time.His hatred is to deep. This racist view can not be changed.

[Jazz Central]

I TOTALLY agree with Hana. Although I do applaude Nibaq and Stallion for their friendly gesture (just to prove Cornn wrong that there are good Kuwaiti's out there), his hatred IS too deep. Plus he's leaving in a couple of days. So why bother.

[Someone in Q8]

ba-bye and good riddance.

[Reema]

Have a safe journey.

[:)]

KHAROOF

[Kimberly]

Wow! Im an old personal friend of Cord's - actually his ex girlfriend and had searched his name today to see if there was any update on him and how life was treating him.. soo excited to see pictures of your dive trip in June and so glad to see he is diving again as I know he LOVED to do it! Sounds like life is treating him well and I enjoyed reading about your experiences as well. If you see or talk to him, give him my best! You got to work with a great guy in my opinion.

- Kim

[KuwaitIsNotAwesome]

Haha, you are so goddamn right. I'm a Kuwaiti born in Kuwait and I've lived here all my life. As a human being, Kuwaities disgust me. Although I don't approve of how the government treats foreigners, I love the government. I'm an atheist, but damn, they treat me well. The only reason I'm still in Kuwait is because I can be really lazy without becoming homeless. At least I'm not a hypocrite, eh?

[Phizzy]

KuwaitIsNotAwesone: u'sa bitch ass cocksucka'..
crooked ass hoe, ur just a good example of a "bad kuwaiti"
ur a fuckin disgrace for our country..

ur prolly' aint kuwaiti anyway....ur one of them "BEDOON"

[Agigaxoli]

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