life got a whole lot more relaxing. Just like in the days after giving birth, when I would wake up in the morning and roll over onto my not-quite-flat stomach and sigh happily, “Ah . . . I’m not pregnant anymore,” these days we wake up and contentedly exhale, “Ah . . . we’re not moving.”
Time to celebrate the quirky things about life in Bahrain — these were all this past week:
These guys spent 30 minutes trying to figure out how to get this truck around the corner. In the meantime, anyone who came along and needed to use that road was out of luck.
I don’t know what a Mexican Schwarma is, but it sounds pretty good right about now.
We satisfied the Mexican food craving with Taco Bell instead, but were perplexed by the red taco shells. I bet they sent over a shipment of expired Valentine’s Day taco shells.
Sometimes they don’t even have taco shells. Just as Subway sometimes doesn’t have bread. (yes, really.)
Camille and Josie — Camille sweet talked her into a trip to the cold store and they’re coming home with chocolate milk, Oreos, and an ice cream bar.
At the grocery store: “Americana Crazy Nuggets.” Yes, we Americans are crazy about our nuggets . . .
but I think you’d have to be crazy to eat these.
Like the United States Post Office, not rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor sandstorm keeps these soccer players from their game. The grit was in our teeth, inside our clothes, and a thin layer covered every exposed inch of skin.
This was the best we could manage to keep the sand out of her eyes. We all needed a shower when we got home.
Also this week, lots of clashes between police and local peeps. It’s the anniversary of when the revolution failed due to Saudi intervention. Last year on this weekend we were confined to our homes. Yay for progress! (Everything was fine this year, just extra police checkpoints.)
The kids had the day off from school (so they didn’t have to risk running into tire fires or molotov cocktails while being transported on the bus) so they went and played at the park down the street.
It’s heating up fast here — tomato season will be over before it even starts in the US.
The taxi drivers hang out in the dirt lots like they are at home in their living rooms. An old couch, a few chairs, cups of tea . . . taking “outdoor living” to a new level.
Another awesome hair day at church. Oops.
Since we’re staying, we’re making our house a bit more like home. Josh and I went to a rug flop last night and bought a new carpet for our living room.
There were plenty of beautiful light colored ones, but this dark one is the only one that won’t look like a damaged antique a week after purchasing it. I’m counting on the red to mask any berry stains.
Today we went to something that was advertised as a “large outdoor souk with snake charmers, camel rides, and a play area for kids.” In typical Bahrain fashion, it was slow to get going. Most of the vendor stalls were vacant (though some filled in as the day went on), there was 1 fly covered camel, and 1 small bounce house.
The weather was beautiful though, and it was nice to relax in the sun, eat and chat.
We met up with friends and smoked shisha (fruit flavored tobacco that is inhaled through a water pipe). It actually did taste like grape.
We’re taking advantage of all that Bahrain has to offer before it gets too hot again!
