"Arabian" Gulf - The tensions here between the shia and sunnis which have led to the shia demonstrations are purported to be backed by Iran, which is Persia. Therefore, what we refer to in the US as the Persian Gulf is generally, and preferably, called the Arabian Gulf here. I kept hearing people talk about the Arabian Gulf but had never heard of it and finally just asked.
I feel like I have been here forever. It is hard to believe that it has only been a month. Am I homesick? Hell yeah! But I am not missing sleep. I am, however, missing my kid and the beasts!
There are very few intersections here. Sometimes you must drive 4-5 blocks to turn left. Thing is, you are allowed to make a u-turn and come back to the location you wanted to access.
Every expat must have a physical to ensure that they are healthy and not coming to Bahrain for free medical care. That means that EVERYONE must get this exam. Because I am a westerner, I was moved to the head of the lines. It was embarrassing but I was very grateful. Imagine several hundred people crammed into a very small space, many with no knowledge of hygiene or access to it, and...you get the picture. I feel bad for the people that are waiting there for hours...at the same time...you get the picture.
PATIENCE...is not a virtue here as much as it is a necessity.
Most people, when finding out I am an American...even the Americans I have met, are surprised that I am a businessman here. There are plenty of 'westerners' but they are mainly British, Euro, or Australian. Very few Americans that aren't associated with the base, that I have found.
As a man, I NEVER reach for a woman's hand when meeting her. If they do not reach out we do not shake hands. Some men won't shake a woman's hand either. It is their custom so I abide by it.
I am getting used to this weather...sitting on the balcony listening to the awful music from the water park nearby...it is 99 degrees and I am comfortable...me...man who loves COLD. Slight breeze and all is good. It has been close to 110 all week so 99 is like autumn. Can't wait for the next two months, 120+ degrees AND humid. SCARY! First Cap'n n Coke went down smoothly...having another. The ice in beverages outsiode melts within minutes. Gotta drink fast.
Officially a member of the Royal Golf Club. Me...a country clubber...it makes me laugh a little. What would my dad think? "Way to go?" or "WTF?"
Meetings here can be interesting. For isntance, today there were 3 of us. One native Bahraini, one Indian, and me...American. All trying to communicate in English. Between the accents, word choices, and different pronunciations, it really is amazing we can understand each other. I am preparing a post that is purely about the differences in how we talk about things...not just words like lift rather than elevator, but entire phrases...it shall be stupendous!
Dust finally settled...you can see the skyline again!
Ramadan is coming. I will have a full post...or more...explaining it to all of you. It is the height of their holidays.
I feel like I have been here forever. It is hard to believe that it has only been a month. Am I homesick? Hell yeah! But I am not missing sleep. I am, however, missing my kid and the beasts!
There are very few intersections here. Sometimes you must drive 4-5 blocks to turn left. Thing is, you are allowed to make a u-turn and come back to the location you wanted to access.
Every expat must have a physical to ensure that they are healthy and not coming to Bahrain for free medical care. That means that EVERYONE must get this exam. Because I am a westerner, I was moved to the head of the lines. It was embarrassing but I was very grateful. Imagine several hundred people crammed into a very small space, many with no knowledge of hygiene or access to it, and...you get the picture. I feel bad for the people that are waiting there for hours...at the same time...you get the picture.
PATIENCE...is not a virtue here as much as it is a necessity.
Most people, when finding out I am an American...even the Americans I have met, are surprised that I am a businessman here. There are plenty of 'westerners' but they are mainly British, Euro, or Australian. Very few Americans that aren't associated with the base, that I have found.
As a man, I NEVER reach for a woman's hand when meeting her. If they do not reach out we do not shake hands. Some men won't shake a woman's hand either. It is their custom so I abide by it.
I am getting used to this weather...sitting on the balcony listening to the awful music from the water park nearby...it is 99 degrees and I am comfortable...me...man who loves COLD. Slight breeze and all is good. It has been close to 110 all week so 99 is like autumn. Can't wait for the next two months, 120+ degrees AND humid. SCARY! First Cap'n n Coke went down smoothly...having another. The ice in beverages outsiode melts within minutes. Gotta drink fast.
Officially a member of the Royal Golf Club. Me...a country clubber...it makes me laugh a little. What would my dad think? "Way to go?" or "WTF?"
Meetings here can be interesting. For isntance, today there were 3 of us. One native Bahraini, one Indian, and me...American. All trying to communicate in English. Between the accents, word choices, and different pronunciations, it really is amazing we can understand each other. I am preparing a post that is purely about the differences in how we talk about things...not just words like lift rather than elevator, but entire phrases...it shall be stupendous!
Dust finally settled...you can see the skyline again!
Ramadan is coming. I will have a full post...or more...explaining it to all of you. It is the height of their holidays.
Call to prayer...I can hear it.
It is Wednesday...that means it is 'Friday' in Saudi Arabia. Since Bahrain has liberal laws regarding alcohol, they come in droves on their weekend. There is a hotel right across the street with a rtoof top pool. They will be there all day tomorrow and Friday.
I finally upgraded my vehicle today. I traded the POS Lancer for a very nice 2012 Honda CRV AWD! Way nice vehicle. Insurance, maintenance, etc $500/month leased...a little high but they were asking $600 so I got them to come down. Negotiations are very keen here. I have reduced the costs on almost everything I get...big ticket items at least. It is pricey to live here...no doubt.
Enough for today...more randomness another day...cheers folks!
I remember the call to prayer when I was working in Malaysia. I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. Can you find any recordings of what you hear?
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