The Visit from the Kid!

Mikaela and her friend Tanner came to visit in January.  It had to be a quick trip due to holidays in US and her needing to get back to univeristy, so it was only 8 days...and lots of jet lag.  The other reason it was so short was because she is in two plays this spring (on and off campus) and needed to be back for rehearsals.  She ate like a queen and met lots of people.  She photographed all of the amazing food she ate.  Some was local fare, some was the usual...but all was tasty.  We also went shopping in the souqs, drove go-carts at one of the top-rated tracks in the world, toured the island, got a walk on the bridge which supports the wind turbines and ate more...lots more...food is very important here.  She and Tanner were wonderful to have around.  Next time she needs to stay longer!  I love you girl!!

M and Tanner leaving Mpls...at the airport.

Her first night...we had some fun.

Her first night, I brought her to one of my favorite places, Zuzu's.  She sang on the stage the next night.

The Souq...an old trading area.  M didn't like the sales people being so pushy...but that's its charm...you bargain for everything there...that's fun!  Just like in Monty Python's "Life of Brian".

Tobacco trader at the Souq...they sell the entire leaf.

Drinking watermelon juice (AWESOME) and smoking shisha at an outdoor cafe.  The weather was beautiful during the day, it got cold at night though...but no MN cold.

At the Capital Club waiting for the guests to arrive.  I had a reception to introduce her to some friends and colleagues.  We had dinner there the next night. I meant to take photos, but we had such a nice time we forgot...memories are better that way.

The view of BWTC from the Capital Club.  It's my Thursday after work spot.

At Mohamed's house on the beach, his wife Eqbal is on the right.  It was very similar to a cabin on a MN lake.

They served a TON of food...all very tasty...crab, prawns, veggies, etc...wait .til you see dessert!

Dessert

One of my tenants is a dimaond retailer.  M got to try on their signature piece.  It is only 377,000 Dinar...about $1,000,000.

At one of the museums in Muharraq.

Mohamed was once Mayor of Muharraq.

The doors used to be VERY tiny.



Muharraq with Mohamed as our guide.

Very cool sword I am considering purchasing.  The are hand made in BH from famous middleeastern swords.  Beautifully crafted.

Mohamed

The Grand Mosque.  Great tour...very welcoming.

Bahrain Fort.  Built by the Portuguese 400 years ago.

Bahrain National Day - December 16.

Bahrain officially got its independence from UK in 1972.  The country is bedecked in red and white lights everywhere.  It is quite spectacular.  Becasue of the colors and the time of the year, many Americans think it is for Christmas. Unfortunately, the effects are seen best at night so I was unable to get any quality photos to show how amazing it all looked.

 

We had a tenant appreciation event where we served red and white cupcakes ordered to look like the BH flag...yummy.  The C&W staff.

Hotel staffers who did the catering.

One example of the colorful lights.  Some areas have the entire street for blocks lined with them...it is an amazing sight!

 

Fridays...are for family and friends.

The weekends in Bahrain are Friday and Saturday with the holiest day of the week being Friday.  People go to prayer as family units these mornings just like church on Sundays in the US.  Afterword, people spend time with their families or friends.  Amer, a friend of mine from Lebanon, invited me to his neighborhood Friday lunch.  It is a potluck with some of the best food anywhere.  The people we met were from Lebanon, Syria, India, Bahrain, UK, and Venezuela.  It really is a united nations event anyplace you go.  Plus, one of his Syrian neighbors makes the BEST hummous I have ever eaten.  I like it!  

Cultural Event at MoDA Mall

The Ministry of Culture called us to host an exhibit of UAE artists.  Of course, we jumped at the chance.  The Minister of Culture, a Shaikha, opened the event with the Deputy Minister of Culture from UAE.  The artwork was stunning.  One of the artists actually painted each day while the exhibit was there.  One of these paintings was presented to MoDA Mall upon the conclusion.



The Minister of Culture opening the event.

 

 

The artist with one of his works in process.  He painted three and gave one to the royal family, one to the ministry, and one to MoDA Mall.

The Minister of Culture opening the event.

Viewing the artwork.

Receiving the MoDA Mall piece.

The other painting, my favorite.

Traditional song and dance group which performed during the exhibit.

 

Christmas in Bahrain



Here is one thing that should destroy a lot of people's stereotypes about the middle east, Christmas is exhibited in full display.  Malls, hotels, apartment buildings, it is everywhere.  What a lot of people don't know, Jesus is considered one of the prophets in Islam...along with Abraham and Moses.  Bahrain is a very tolerant country.  Peace.

 

The tree in my flats lobby.

Friends...no captions required.

The US Ambassador.

The US has a strong presence in Bahrain militarily, but not so much with businesses.  There are American companies, but usually not run by Americans locally.  The Ambassador likes to meet those of us running these companies in hopes of expanding our presence.

Ambassador Thomas Krajeski and me.

Presenting him with a limited edition, numbered, hand-painted, BWTC plate to commemorate his courtesy visit.