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After a short drive through Kuwait City we arrive at the SAS Radisson near the sea. The SAS Radisson is daunting; six restaurants, no less than two enormous dhows on land, one used for two restaurants and the second, which is the largest dhow in the world, is used as a banquet facility (extra ordinaire, is a good french expression for this boat). Those of us, who entering a new hotel, has a quick shower, put on a clean shirt and go down to the bar for a gin and tonic are in for a surprise; alcohol is strictly forbidden in Kuwait and all the waiter can offer is a smile and fruit juice. The food makes up for the lack of sophisticated drinks and the food is fresh, served in abundance and done with a flair that tells you that a not small amount of culinary missionaries have settled in Kuwait with success. Being a professional artist with a wife and four children, living only of my art and crafts, is not an easy task. The day starts at 6.30 (thanking the powers above I could not get those G&T’s) with a 30 minute jog and a quick dip in the pool. Breakfast is taken whilst I go through the day with my son and my media manager, the schedule fills up quickly until it becomes clear that we have to work with military precision and with a full push through the day to reach our targets. Budding artists who think they can just slap the paintings on the wall and go down to the pool, beware; you will not sell anything… Being in a new country setting up an exhibition makes you aware of just how easy life is back home where you know the language and where to get things done. Small things such as a stapler, nails, a piece of string, tape and that bigger brush you suddenly need becomes mountains to climb as the sun rises during the first hours of work until it reaches zenith and some 30-odd degrees Celsius. A Kuwaiti watching me work smiles as I comment on the weather and replies “in the summer it can reach 70”, he turns his right palm up and cups it slightly, and it seems like he says “In Shallah” (God willing) with the friendly gesture. The three days we had before the exhibition soon turns in to a blur, the list of things to remember, get, arrange and people to meet seems never ending and a day feels like a week. All arrangements were initiated by the Royal Danish Consulate in honour of HM the Queen Margrethe’s birthday and the head of mission, Henrik Bendix and trade commissioner, Michael Jørgensen where there like never-tiring angels from above helping with a smile and gusto that kept us all on track. It’s a realisation I believe not many people are aware of. In foreign countries there are brave people working for you and your country, and if you run a business, or try to arrange something abroad, I have a very good piece of advice; contact the nearest trade commissioner in the embassy or consulate of your origin and you will be surprised by the knowledge and resources they have and the doors that they can open. |
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