Ever worked in Kuwait City as a contractor?

[raustin0017]

JOB is taking me to Kuwait City for a period of time. The contract is for three years and I'm currently signed on for a min of 12 months. Package comes with a 3 bedroom new furnished apartment, all living expenses to include communications/internet/TV, new MB SUV of some sort with insurance/fuel, and a daily food per-diem. Anyone have some inside info about living as an expat?

Thanks in advance

 

[smashedheadcat]

I have a few friends that just signed onto a gig like that in Kuwait. I'm considering doing the same. I don't know anything about living there though. I've only been to the base a few times.

 

[oldmodman]

Not me, but a customer of mine did.

He really enjoyed it and made just insane money while doing it.

Just make sure you obey all their laws and don't be "That American Asshole" and you will be fine.

Do not have any Porn on your laptop. Really. Don't!

 

[YJSONLY]

Do not have any Porn on your laptop. Really. Don't!

Why is this? Just wandering....

 

[my95z28]

Why is this? Just wandering....

Meh, I don't think they are going to really go through whats on your hard drive. Make sure its password protected. Internet downtown is pretty quick, just get a vpn.

I know a couple of guys that currently do it, worst part about it is the drive. The base is super nice and they don't ever seem to have problems downtown. Probably the worst thing is the drive, the Kuwaitis drive like absolute maniacs and the commute is 45mins-1hr each way.

You aren't a comm guy are you Chief? Might cross paths if you are.

 

[KurtDog]

Why is this? Just wandering....

They cut your nuts off if you do.

 

[raustin0017]

Meh, I don't think they are going to really go through whats on your hard drive. Make sure its password protected. Internet downtown is pretty quick, just get a vpn.

I know a couple of guys that currently do it, worst part about it is the drive. The base is super nice and they don't ever seem to have problems downtown. Probably the worst thing is the drive, the Kuwaitis drive like absolute maniacs and the commute is 45mins-1hr each way.

You aren't a comm guy are you Chief? Might cross paths if you are.

Not a Comm guy...was a Loadmaster for 28 years on C-130 and C-17 aircraft.

 

[Weather Man]

Exposed metal in the summer is hotter than hell.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

They cut your nuts off if you do.

No, they don't.

Kuwait is a great place to live. I've spent a couple months there, a couple months in Riyadh and 5 years in Doha, Qatar. Great places to live if you're a car guy. Make friends like I did and you'll be able to drive damn near anything you've ever dreamed of.

 

[hotrodjcc]

Hated working in Kuwait and hated driving there even more.

 

[Mr. Mach-ete]

Are you taking the 500?

 

[raustin0017]

No...not taking my Shelby.

 

[Monster Mach]

How does one get a job like this lol

 

[Mainn]

I spent 8 years in Doha, Qatar.

I'm happy to be back in Australia, however I didn't mind my time there and every now and then I even miss it a little bit.

Bahrain/UAE/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/Kuwait are all pretty good. Just be prepared for the weather and the driving, the language difficulties and boredom that you'll most likely encounter after about a few days of living there. It's quite an experience though!

Cars are dirt cheap there, too.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

I missed Doha until I went back a year ago. They're becoming too much like Dubai; building faster than infrastructure can keep up. I remember being able to drive 100 km/hr everywhere, any time of day and go flying through the roundabouts. Now it's always traffic and they changed most of the roundabouts to 4 way intersections. At least Karwa is a big improvement over the old orange and whites.

 

[SVTORANGE]

I spent 1.5 years in Doha, Qatar and bahgram - besides the obvious I would go back in a heart beat.
Make the best of these trips it's the best expereience one could have.
I would love to go back if you need a computer person I will travel with ya :dancenana:

 

[kript2night]

I lived an worked there for two years. Hot summers with horrible dust storms. Not a hell of alot to do, but seeing how im in afghanistan now i wouldnt mind going back. Some of the younger kuwaities are pretty arregant but other than that its not all that bad.

 

[TaraFirma]

No...not taking my Shelby.

you should. There is a huge car scene there in KC. They'll go just outside of the city and run 200+ on the highway. cops don't care because they are outside of the city. Besides, you may be able to sell it fro twice the market value. Either way it would be well worth it to take it.

 

[DOHC MARK VIII]

Bob, last time I was there was as an ALCE LM in 1991 and they were shooting at me. The food sucked (MRE's), no per diem, and once the shooting stopped the world's craziest drivers (or at least close to it, check youtube) were back on the roads. Hopefully they got the "Highway of Death" cleared off and you can do some high speeds runs on it. (LOL)

Can't be as bad now as it was back in my MAC days. Should set you up for life and real retirement when you get back. Enjoy, I'll stay stateside, enjoy my military, civil service, and social security pay checks each month while tooling around in my Shelby. ;-)

 

[raustin0017]

Bill...not a bad plan. Could not turn down the offer when my company approached me. Contract is for 3 years...going to play this out and if I can do all three I will be 100% done with working. Take care
Bob