Life in Kuwait City: The Cornishe

I can't even tell you how brain dead I am. I've had this issue in the past, while PMSing. During that time, I'm usually quietly raging while forgetting what I just did, dropping everything, and trying not to cry in public. Now, this is my daily life. One of my girlfriends once said in regards to being pregnant (and breastfeeding, etc. afterwards), "The process of having a baby is like PMSing for a year and a half." It couldn't be more true! Friends hoping to be mothers, be afraid, be very afraid.

So on that note, I had grand illusions about how I was going to tell you of the experience of walking on the cornishe. But I can't write that creatively in my current state. So I'm going to show you lots of pretty pictures and talk about them. Enjoy.

Walking on the cornishe is one of my favorite things to do here in Kuwait, when the weather is nice. Many locals agree and it really gets kicking around sunset with tons of families picnicking along the water, street vendors selling ice cream, and many feral cats cruising for an easy meal.

I really wanted to take pictures in the evening when the crowds are out. However, I'm really nervous about taking pictures with people in them here. The religiously conservative women don't like having their picture taken and frankly I'm afraid that as a very white western-looking woman, me and my camera lens might get construed negatively. Additionally, its not a tourist town and people just don't walk around photographing things (very different from DC!).

There are so many feral cats here! I've seen two generations of kittens being raised outside my apartment building since we arrived. That's probably equal to the same amount of kittens I've seen my entire life. Cats rule the cornishe. It seems like each one has a territory and younger kittens live in the rocks along the water. The cats are worse than squirrels with their begging and you'll see them crowd around picnickers waiting for scraps. Seriously, they have no shame. Most of them have this calico coloring, and part of me thinks they are so cute that I want to take them home with me. I'm afraid of cats though, so it would be a terrifying existence to have cats in my home. 

Are you surprised to see so much green? I was! 

I'm fascinated with the date palms and the texture of their trunks. They are so different from the palms I grew up with in Florida. When we arrived in August they were producing dates (not coincidently during Ramadan when they are eaten frequently to break fasting).

I love this tricked out little bicycle. The kids here ride their bikes with reckless abandon. I've seen countless crashes, ones where you cringe as you see it coming. The kids will just get up afterwards, dust off their knees, give each other a quick stare down, then get back on their bikes and move on. I hold my breath every time. Also, the locals here seem to leave the plastic packaging on things - like this little bike and on the seats in their new cars. I think its funny and it reminds me of some of my grandparents friends who used to leave the plastic on their lampshades and put plastic on their couches.

Lastly, I like all the Arabic writing on the signage. Things that are so mundane suddenly seem exotic and interesting.

Celebrating Our Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary. Gman and I celebrated three years of wedded bliss by re-creating our first date. Seven years ago we went on a picnic and had gouda and tomato paninis with little fruit tarts for dessert. We got a 4 euro bottle of wine from a bodega and sat in the grass behind Les Invalids on a beautiful summer day in Paris. We sat there for hours and hours getting to know each other for the first time. Later, Gman proposed to me in the same spot. Amazing how a little patch of grass (pictured above) can be filled with so much meaning.

So last night we made a picnic on the living room floor. We lit candles and laid out a picnic blanket, then made gouda and tomato paninis. For the wine, we opened a bottle we purchased when we were in Bordeaux a few years ago, a 2005 St Emilion (I'll give full notes another time). The taste of the wine brought us right back to France and our memories flooded back. We sat on the floor for hours reminiscing until finally the wine was gone and it was time for bed.

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate then remembering all of the wonderful moments we've shared so far and I can't wait for what the future holds.

PS - last year's wedding post.

Exploring Wine: Viognier

 

Cono Sur, Bicycle Viognier, Chile, 2009, $10.00

My rating for this bottle? I would drink a few glasses. 

I have only recently heard of this varietal, viognier. It is a grape now commonly grown in Virginia but has in the past been difficult to grow world-wide due to its sensitivity to disease. This one is from Chile. I've been seeing it on menus recently and decided to share a bottle with my parents while they were here visiting.

On my first sip, I was struck by the crisp, bright (that little sparkle on your tongue), and delicate flavor. Pear or apricot were the first fruit descriptions to come to mind but it wasn't too sweet or too tart. We enjoyed drinking this bottle in our newly renovated garden with grilled kabobs and salad with pecans, cranberries, and feta.

Just like Loimer did for their Grüner Veltliner, Cono Sur provided a technical sheet for this vintage on their website. Here is the link. I found it helpful to compare my impression of the wine vs their description, after I drank it. You might want to compare your tasting notes as well.

High Heeled Traveler's Holiday Gift Guide

Pendleton bag, ipad, leopard flats, globe, scarf, cutting board, bangle, The Art Book, blouse, cork screw

I spent the weekend shopping for Christmas presents - for myself and others. I have this horrible habit of buying one thing for a friend and one thing for myself. By actually taking the time to shop I discover so many little treasures - it's so hard to resist! Shopping for the holidays is one of my favorite traditions. I love picking out gifts for my loved ones and I love making a list of things I need, want, or dream about. And as much as I information gather throughout the year I don't compile a list of desirable goodies until Thanksgiving.

This year we are traveling for much of December (surprise!) so I've got my eye on a few items that would make my holiday voyage more pleasurable as well as gift ideas for the home and for all those holiday parties. So here are my top gift pics for the High Heeled Traveler (mom and dad I hope you're reading).

We'll start with my fantasy presents...

A frequent traveler is always in need of a weekend bag. I love the stolen-from-the-boys plaid on this Pendleton one.

If you are in a super generous mood this holiday season, an ipad is great for filling with magazines, books, and browsing blogs online, plus, you can download your favorite travel apps, games, manage your itinerary, and take pictures all with one lightweight tablet. Hooray for lighter luggage (or room for more shoes?)!

I've had my eye on these leopard ballet flats for a while now. As much as I like to wear heels for everything, flats are great for quickly navigating the airport, a new city, or driving an unfamiliar rental car (does anyone else I know like to drive barefoot?).

I know, I know. A globe seems like such a typical gift for a traveler. How passe. BUT I don't have one and I would love to decorate our apartment with antique maps and globes. I always thought it would be fun to have a map/globe with pins marking where you've been and where you want to go.

Gifts for the traveling hostess...

It sounds crazy but I carry a bottle opener when I travel (in my checked luggage) (... who am I kidding, I have one in my purse now too). You never know when you might partake in an impromptu picnic and I've been a helpful guest at many a party.

I found these fabulous state shaped cutting boards on Etsy by A.Heirloom. Most are priced under $45 and would be a more thoughtful gift than a bottle of wine.

A cozy scarf or brightly colored bangle will certainly keep you warm and stylish at any destination. And a silk blouse is a must. You can wear it in any city, countryside, in any temperature, day or night.

Last but not least, The Art Book. Gman bought this for me for our first Christmas and I have found it to be quite handy ever since. It lists artists and art movements alphabetically for quick and easy reference. I like to refresh my memory before heading out to an art museum or gallery. It also looks nice on the coffee table and guests often check it out at parties.

I hope this is helpful to you for your holiday shopping! I know my cart is already full...

Exploring wine: Sangeovese

Three Fox Vineyards, Sangeovese, $less than $20

My rating for this bottle: I would drink a few glasses

Over the summer my parents were in town and we went out into the Virginia countryside to go wine tasting. We visited a few vineyards that day including Three Foxes Vineyards. The vineyard is situated at the top of one of the areas rolling hills with the tasting room outside under a tent. This was the last stop on our journey and we were immediately impressed by the picnic tables and hammocks dotting the property. This was a place people came to to grab a bottle for the afternoon and spend time with friends and family. 

The tasting flight consisted of 10 wines for $6. It was a great way to get to know their style of wine making. That day the best one we tried was their Sangeovese. Three Foxes boasts to be the first Virginia winery to use this central Italian grape. In the hot, breezy weather this strawberry tasting wine hit the spot. It was fresh and bright, perfect for a picnic or with a pasta dish.

This was my first Sangeovese and from what I've read they taste bright and fruity when they are young and then more smokey, cherry, and chocolate-y as they age. Perhaps this would be a good wine to drink after a few years. In Italy, the grape is often used to make blends; for example, you find it in a Chianti. I was surprised to find it in Virginia and more surprised that it was actually good. 

We bought a bottle and opened it a month later.We drank it while we were watching TV on the couch. It tasted differently than I remembered. At home in front of the TV it didn't taste nearly as dynamic and fresh as it did outside on the rolling hills. It was sweeter, almost too tart for my palate.

I've heard wine enthusiasts say that when and where you drink wine matters. I didn't believe them until this experience. It's true that the environment around the wine, as well as the food, really changes it's taste. Each bottle is going to be different because it changes as it ages. Have you ever experienced this? Do you agree?

Pizza, red wine, burlesque, nature, and... more food

It's Monday again, let's take some time to bask in our memories of the weekend, shall we?

As you already know it was G-man and my wedding anniversary! As you may also know, the traditional one year wedding anniversary gift is paper. We (I) already have an abundance of stationary and pens, so we decided to get creative. G-man is quite the outdoors man. He's a thrill seeker who used to jump out of airplanes for fun. He's a badass who can survive in nature with a pocket knife and a compass. I, on the other hand, like shopping and walking in cities. I like perusing pastry shops and looking at paintings and architecture. So we take turns and end up experiencing many new things. Although I will not jump out of an airplane.

 

This weekend we ate amazing food, starting with a homemade pizza, and drank too much wine! Friday night we went to see Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey, one of our favorite burlesque duos (his gift to me, the paper tickets).

Then on Saturday, it was nice to relax together as we hiked through Harper's Ferry (The gift was trees, get it!? Paper is made from trees...) and had a leisurely picnic lunch while overlooking the historic town and surrounding mountains. The air was clean and crisp and the sun warmed our skin. Then G-man taught me to climb rocks!

 

 

Driving through the country was so romantic too. Looking out the window at the rolling pastures, farm houses, and tiny towns, I felt like I was in The Great Gatsby taking a Sunday drive.

Do you ever have moments like that?

Central Park

Having a happy hour/weekend brunch/early morning picnic in Central Park is heaven. :) Whether you live here or are vacationing, take time to enjoy this green oasis. If you are traveling and can not pack a picnic, grab a bagette, cheese and fuit from a bodega (or Whole Foods at Columbus Circle!) and a bottle of wine (also good for after work if you are in a hurry). Then find a spot in Sheep's Meadow or just south of the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) and sit for hours absorbing the city and the unusually slow pace... {le sigh}

What's in your bag?



photo my own, Bear Mountain

Once you reach the peak of your mountain hiking destination, you'll be ready to rest and check out the sweeping views. Unpack your picnic spread of Salame, Grueye, fresh local apples, mustard, olives, and a french baguette. And what better way to celebrate your foray into nature than a half bottle of champagne? If you don't like sitting directly on the ground - and adding more dirt to your experience - then bring a small blanket to rest on as there aren't many picnic tables. Don't forget you camera, lots of water, and some baby wipes to clean the great outdoors off your hands before you eat. ;)

Stick all your goodies into a rugged yet elegant backpack. I couldn't resist these...

Marc Jacobs, Madewell, Patagonia