Joe's Sporting Life Here in Q8 - playing, coaching, and enjoying!

Two of Joe's baseball players, Hassan and Sashin.

Yesterday was Friday fun day for Joe as he spent his day, and all his energy, doing the things he loves to do.  He left home at 6:45 AM to make the thirty minute drive to the baseball complex where he coached his senior league (HS age) boys in a game.  He left there and drove another 20 minutes into the city to join his mates in their GAA club's first annual tournament.  They were divided into six co-ed teams and battled it out until there was a champion and everyone had a blast.  Lindsay and three of her colleagues were in attendance for the Gaelic football tournament to watch Joe and Kyle, a teacher at Lindsay's school, compete throughout the day.  It was a lot of fun and a great opportunity for Lindsay to watch Gaelic football in action, since Joe has told her so much about his fun times at trainings.  It will be fun to see how the club does in the three huge spring tournaments in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Dubai!  Once the tournament ended we came home so Joe could shower and we could rest for a couple of hours before Joe had a softball league game back at the baseball/softball complex.  As we arrived at the fields Joe remarked that it was almost exactly 12 hours after he entered the complex earlier in the day to coach his baseball team.  Joe played an exciting game of softball and had three big hits for his team and then we headed back home.  Joe left everything he had out on the sports fields yesterday and it was time for some rest!

Joe was a part of team Dublin.

Joe's GAA club, The Kuwait Harps!

As Joe and his best bud Kade say, hitters always hit!

Joe recorded two strikeouts while pitching last night, in slow-pitch softball!

The Great Kuwait Flood of 2013!

When you live in the desert and haven't seen rain, or any kind, in over three months you get a bit excited when you hear that you are due to get a half inch of rain suddenly in mid-November.  There is just one big problem, the drainage and infrastructure here is so poor that a half inch of rain leads to a government declared state of emergency, two days out of school, and all thousands of traffic accidents.  Not to mention hundreds of ruined car engines, students acting crazy when they finally return to school, and, of course, some amazing photos and videos.  Enjoy!

Joe went to visit a dear old friend, Istanbul!

Today is the first day of the new year according to the Islamic calendar and a national holiday here in Kuwait.  All schools were closed today, offering a nice mid-week break, but some lucky teachers (such as Joe) are employed by schools that decided to give them a nice five day weekend.  So, while Lindsay worked the past two days, Joe finished off a quick three and a half day trip to Istanbul to catch up with some old students/athletes of his and to spend some quality time with his favorite city on earth!  Lindsay is still unable to travel due to an abnormally long residency processing operation, so she would not have been able to travel, anyway, but she is still bummed out that she couldn't make the trip!

If you know Joe at all, you know that Istanbul is his favorite spot on earth.  He got to eat his favorite foods, roam around on his favorite streets, and interact with some of his favorite people on earth - Turks!  Here are some pictures from the journey and, Joe would have you know, the weekend was a huge blessing to him!  Here they are, for all four of you who read this blog!

This was one of the first things Joe saw after leaving the airport.  Welcome back to Turkiye!

This is a panorama of Taksim Square, where Joe has many memories and also where many of the major protesting by Turkish youth has occurred the past year.

Entrance to Istiklâl Caddesi, one of Joe's favorite places on earth!

Turkish street food - Tavuk Durum - an all-time favorite!

Traditional, and delicious, Turkish brunch!

A rooftop view of two of the world's greatest buildings!

The Blue Mosque

Hagia Sophia

Beautiful hand-painted Turkish plate art.

After six months of weather over 90 degrees, Joe loved the cool Istanbul weather!

Joe's favorite little doner shop!

Turkish police were always out in force, ready to suppress and protestors they felt like.

This cathedral stands tall in a land where minarets dominate the skyline.

How can you travel and not pick up the local Starbucks mugs?

Big problem with the designer of the Istanbul mug - there isn't any inclusion of the iconic Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, or the many other beautiful mosques in Istanbul.  The secular view of Starbucks has caused them to ignore rich history and amazing beauty with this very poorly designed mug!

One of the countless old churches found all over Istanbul.

Beautiful work of Turkish art!

The different in the price of a tall and a venti is about 50 cents!

Beyoglu police drive mini coopers, the shop to the left is named ParisTexasOutlet, and there is a Shake Shack in the back right.  All kinds of awesome in this shot!

Typical Turkish scene immortalized in street art.

One of the most historical and beautiful buildings on earth!

Tophane - a place where Joe has had countless hours of quality conversation with both Turkish and American friends!

Istiklâl Caddesi

They should have been awarded the bid!

Bye for now!