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Kuwait: a personal cultural encounter after the storm.

Article Excerpt
Abstract: The author discusses her experience in traveling to Kuwait during the past several years and what she has learned about the people, their culture and the region.

Keywords: Kuwait, Gulf War, Storm, Nursing

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Kuwait, the country noted as the cultural capital of the Arab world, is located on the continent of Asia. Bounded by Iraq on the left, Iran to the immediate right, Saudi Arabia on the bottom, and the Arabian Gulf to the far right, this small country attracted the attention of the entire world when Iraq invaded it in 1990. The character and traditions of Kuwait have been shaped by the sea, which for so many generations has provided the Kuwaitis with their major source of income. Kuwait's present development has fascinated businesses and drawn investors from other parts of the world. The Kuwaiti flag remains a symbol of dignity and freedom. Its' colors of white, black, green and red denote white for work, black for struggles, green for spring homes and red for the past.

Visits to Kuwait were eyewitness accounts of a country that has almost returned to its state before the Iraqi invasion. People from more than 120 countries once lived and worked in Kuwait, giving the city a cosmopolitan charm. The cultural diversity of the population was clearly evidenced, according to natives, at ethnic concerts, plays, ceremonies, exhibitions, social and sports events. Also, according to the natives, Kuwait will never be the same since the events of August 2, 1990. Public buildings, private homes, cultural, scientific and educational facilities, amusement parks, and historical landmarks all fell victim to the destruction wrought by the Iraqi forces. The material damage is bounded by human and environmental devastation. It may take years before a determination of what effects this massive destruction has had on the lives of so many people.

With a nursing career covering a thirty-two year period of lime, I feel that "nursing" is definitely a calling from a higher source, and has provided an experience that has been more than business as usual in a health care delivery system. Since caring for many members of several U.S. President's Cabinet, members of the law-making bodies of Congress and their families, Foreign Heads of State and members of their families, and so many others, I have been given the privilege of accompanying them in travel to places around the globe. This article attempts to discuss and share the experience of my travels to Kuwait, of which I not only serve as the traveler, but as a vessel allowing people (while being cared for) to ride while the mechanical problems (health, illnesses) of their vessels (human bodies) are being repaired. This travel is a living example that nursing is a golden, but rare opportunity, not only in promoting professional development, but is an adventurous spirit in capturing memories from continent to continent, while administering expert nursing care and enjoying life, at its very best.

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