First Stop = Bahrain, second week
BAHRAIN | Thursday, 17 April 2008 | Views [152] | Comments [1]
Marhaba, (hello)
In my final days here on the Island, and with the impending trip to London where I imgaine I will be far too busy to write more than a few scribbles, I wanted to finish my report on Bahrain.
I still have the weekend here - with various activities planned, inlcuding Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton and a manicure and pedicure with Jacinta on Saturday.
Please take a teek at the photos I have loaded. The photo with the black flags denotes a particular area of Manama City (the capital of Bahrain) where a certain group of Muslims live - couldn't be sure which sect, shiites os sunni. Other pics include Jacinta and Andrew at the Souq Markets; the Saudi Arabian embassy - driving past sometimes interferes with the radio because of the equipment they must be using; the Sign to Saudi Arabia when we drove over the causeway, also showing the trucks lined up; and the world trade centre is the triangle tipped building.
Another aspect of life here is the US Marine Base. We are, (I think) about an hour and half flight from Iraq. So it is a crucial base for the US and the marine presence is clearly visible. In fact, not to blow my own horn, but Jacinta and I were out for dinner on Monday and three marines asked the waitress to ask us if they could buy us a drink. We politely declined. There is a distinct absence of white women here on the island. There are some marines stationed off the base and they live in compounds similar to Jacinta and Andrew. They are on year long contracts and are not able to bring their families out. I haven't seen as much of them around as Jacinta would have in the past. Apparently they keep getting themselves into trouble...
Call to prayer at the Mosques around town can be interesting for the first few days. After hearing it the first few mornings at 4am, I haven't really noticed it since. When it does happen, you know you are definitely not in NZ now.
I spent much of the first few days of this week organising my CV to agents in London. I did step out yesterday though, without the protection of Jacinta and Andrew, and made my way by taxi to the mall. I did contemplate wearing Jacinta's abaya and headscarf. There is a certain aninimity that is kind of appealing, where the majority of the women around you, are in most cases, wearing full abaya, head covering, with a slit for their eyes. There is something almost intimidating about the abaya and certianly there is something to be said for it when one wants to fit into the crowd.
Andrew has had a very full on week with the opening of the Kraft factory here in Bahrain that he is Plant Director for. All sorts of top knobs from Kraft have arrived this week. We were lucky enough to catch the end of their dinner last night at a Lebanese restuarant - we arrived in time to see some of the show that is put on for diners. This included belly dancing, Lebanese singing and dancing and was really very very good. This was about 11pm and the Gulf Hotel where the restuarant is, was just starting to come alive, with people everywhere. This included small children who were sitting down to eat. Apparently during Ramadan, when fasting finishes, families are out dining, sometimes late into the early hours, with small children in tow - poor wee things have to be up for school, which starts at 7.30am.
The compound where Jacinta and Andrew is fantastic. The villa has three levels and every room tiled and air conditioned. Every room also has a bathroom. The patio has a pool and bar and is a great spot to catch some sun in the morning or relax in the evening. It is well serviced by the workers, who collect the rubbish, clean the pool, do the garden, drop off the gas, drop off the drinking water, clean the car etc etc...
Well final words - come here, it is well worth the trip, it has a very interesting culture, the food is fantastic and the people are friendly.
To my hosts with the most - Jacinta and Andrew, thank you for the perfect beginning to my travels - I could not have asked for more generous and informative hosts and I hope that, whereever this journey takes me, I can play host to you both. Shukraan jazeelan.
Off to London, Inshaa'al l-lah (God willing)
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