A Bahraini Experience
Most people will never know what it's like to live in Bahrain because it is a tiny little island. It is a place of it's own. There are countless differences in everyday life. All of which have become the norm for me. Only a few of our loved ones were able to experience it and kind of understand the day to day life in Bahrain. It's been an adventure living in a different part of the world, in particular the Middle East. I had a couple friends help me out and come up with a list. If I am missing any please help me and add on.
- You can only use cash for gas but they pump it. You can choose to tip or not. Not expected. Honestly there are happy with a few coins. I usually do a bd or half. 1 Bahrani Dinar= $2.66. It cost about $12 to fill up my civic.
-Everyone delivers including McDonalds. So if you are craving that ice cream sundae all it takes is dialing a number.
-Beware though, the language barrier can be difficult when ordering your delivery or anything for that matter. Say that one more time......
- They deliver the food by scooter with a hot pack on the back. So you will see them weaving in and out of traffic.
- It's normal to have a maid/nanny/car washer, etc. This I have definitely loved. Many of the nanny's practically raise the kids. It is normal to see the nanny with the family out to eat tending to the kids,etc
-All these workers come over sponsored by a local and must have a current visa.
-Most of them are extremely grateful and take pride in their work.
-If you are at a restaurant, plan for an extra hour as they tend to let you take your time;) I have been known to ask for the check once I get my food. Adapt and adjust. However, they are nothing but nice and go out of their way to take care of your needs. You are never wrong.
-Most restaurants have a wide variety of mocktails (labled mocktails) and many don't serve actual cocktails. An average glass of wine is $10/$12....and that can be the house wine.
-Most places sell fresh yummy juice and have the choice of sparking or still water.
- Since Saudi is a dry country many come over to Bahrain to party on the weekend. Especially out where we lived.
-There is no real bacon at restaraunts and there is a usually a room off to the side in the grocery store that sells pork items. Out of sight, out of mind?
-Since we are talking about food I might mention that grocery prices are very high and sometimes it takes 3 stores to get a list complete.
-The workers at the register sit in a chair instead of stand all day. Not a bad deal.
-While you are shopping you might hear curse words because they play American rap, but the unedited versions. Ear muffs kiddos!
-When shopping at the grocery store you will notice there aren't locks on the wheels...makes for a nice ab workout.
- Schwarma is the next best thing to a mexican taco!! ....and you can pull up in the street, they run to your car, get your order, take your money, and bring you your food. Did I mention they are super cheap? The yummiest, cheapest meal in all of Bahrain. They don't start serving until after 4 bc they have to cook the meat all day.
-What is that in the distance? A big black cloud of black smoke?...oh it's just a tire fire..back to the daily routine.
- If you are military you will receive texts or calls letting you know where protests are being held. The first year we were here we were given orders for essential travel only many times.
-When using the bathroom in public beware of the water all over the floor and seat. The little spray contraption is used more often than TP. In fact it is a gamble whether there will be toilet paper at all. -In a lot of the bathrooms an attendant will be available for clean up.
-Most bathrooms have the choice of luxury seating with a hole in the ground.
-Driving...phew..here comes the adapt and adjust....and become a very good defensive driver.
- There is a yellow light to let you know green is coming and yellow light to let you know red is coming
-Shoulder?? What shoulder? That is just another lane.
- Parking...oh goodness, this one drives a lot of people nuts including myself. "There are two spaces, well I will take both...oh you needed that space?...sorry"
-Don't worry about following the traffic laws because the cops have more important things to worry about.
- I have been cut off by a cop, I have cut off a cop at a roundabout, and I have actually been bumped by a cop....never would I have dreamed this up.
-Watch out for the those flashing lights behind you....you won't miss them because they come so close. This means move out of the way. Same goes for honking. If you want something just honk.
-Don't lose your temper and shoot the finger because you can and probably will get fined for that.
-Yield and Merge signs? What are those?
- There are no street signs, just numbers. So directions are better given by using land marks.
- Speaking of landmarks....it takes a while for anything to be built. For instance, there is a coffee shop that has been in progress of being built...for about 12 months. I thought just maybe it would be finished by the time I left. No such luck.
-I am not sure if there are safety regulations for the workers and if they exist they definitely aren't followed. Not just in construction but guys working landscaping. I can be driving 40mph past a guy picking weeds with his backside in the street. One wrong move....
-There is tons of construction around the island. In fact sometimes it feels like one big construction site. Some neighborhoods only have dirt roads. Lots of diggers, backhoe loaders, and cranes. Every young boys dream.
-Beware of construction trucks not chained down to a flat bed while in tow.
- Sometimes you can see the workers taking naps against the tree or just wherever they can find space.
-Stuff is poorly built here. There aren't people who specialize in certain areas. AC is something that normally will go out and they might send a plumber to fix it
-So beware of water dripping from above the stove or light bulb explosions.
-Helmets are definitely not worn by the people commuting on bikes.
- This includes the kids riding their bikes in the streets.
- Kids tend to stay out late, even on school nights. They adapt to the weather. Plus side: we always have the park to ourselves in the morning.
-Speaking of kiddos they tend to not follow the car seat regulations. I have seen the written law but again this is one that is overlooked. You may even catch a kid helping their parent drive or waving to people outside of the sunroof.
- Of course everything is in Celsius and they use the metric system.
-There are no copywright laws so getting copies of movies and tv series is very affordable
-Want to leave a message for a friend? you better text instead. No messages on cell phones.
- Mechanics will come to you! They will pick your car up and fix it and bring it back. If you need a rental, no worries. If they are a good mechanic they will bring you one.
- When someone is coming to meet you or fix something most likely they will tell you a time followed by inshallah. You never want to hear inshallah (God willing). This really means whenever I get there, I get there. Basically, punctuality is not a concern.
-If you go to the waterpark know that you will be one lady with many men. Woman don't tend to go to the waterpark and to be honest I wouldn't either if I had to wear a burkini. Believe, I tried one on.
-If you are a woman the women workers will call you madam and if you are male the male workers will call you boss.
-You will see men playing cricket in dirt lots. I guess you work with what you are given.
-Bahrain is referenced to as the "Land of Sand", "50 Shades of Beige", and my favorite I found in a brochure, "The Land of Golden Smiles".
- Speaking of 50 shades of Beige the inside will most likely be white marble floors with white walls.
- Command strips have become my best friend. The walls are concrete so putting a nail in the wall requires a drill.
-There are women only gyms, salons, etc.
- If you want to go out for breakfast don't plan on doing it before at least 8:30 and don't plan on getting that specialty coffee at the coffee shop before 7.
-Most people tend to eat dinner late so it's nice to have the place to yourself if you eat before 730.
-Feel like eating for 4/5 hours? No problem. Brunch is a normal Friday to do here in Bahrain. You pay a set fee and have at it. Don't expect breakfast. I have only been to one with breakfast.
- The sun starts to rise around 4:30/5:30 year round. What is the weather today? Sunny :) Only variation being dusty/windy. You know we love a good dust storm ;)
-You learn to appreciate 90 degree weather after a long summer.
-Don't you worry about running out of hot water, plenty of that here.
- You must learn to negotiate if you live here....negotiate rent, negotiate at the tailor, negotiate while shopping at the souq, etc
- Many of the rentals have 2 in 1 washer/dryer. Allow for a full day to get a load washed and dried.
- Many scenes in movies and shows are missing on cable and in the theaters.
-The malls are a big family event. They are very nice and people shop until late. Just to give you an idea the mall is open from 10AM -2 AM.
-Whether you are going on a short trip to Dubai or a longer flight and you are flying a Middle Eastern Airline you will most likely be riding in luxury. They also take care of the kiddos quite nicely.
-If it rains be prepared for leaking water in your house and flooded streets as they aren't prepared for such a thing.
-Obviously it being the desert there is very very limited green but the water is a beautiful blue.
- You may see men kissing or holding hands, but you will never see a man and woman doing this is public.
- …and be prepared for stares.
I know there are more. I may even add more as I remember but for the time being this is what came to mind. It sure was an adventure in Bahrain. As much as I couldn't wait to come back we have had to adjust in many ways. It was a challenging tour but mainly because of Bryan's hours. All the other stuff that came along with it just added to the grand adventure.
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- You can only use cash for gas but they pump it. You can choose to tip or not. Not expected. Honestly there are happy with a few coins. I usually do a bd or half. 1 Bahrani Dinar= $2.66. It cost about $12 to fill up my civic.
-Everyone delivers including McDonalds. So if you are craving that ice cream sundae all it takes is dialing a number.
-Beware though, the language barrier can be difficult when ordering your delivery or anything for that matter. Say that one more time......
- They deliver the food by scooter with a hot pack on the back. So you will see them weaving in and out of traffic.
- It's normal to have a maid/nanny/car washer, etc. This I have definitely loved. Many of the nanny's practically raise the kids. It is normal to see the nanny with the family out to eat tending to the kids,etc
-All these workers come over sponsored by a local and must have a current visa.
-Most of them are extremely grateful and take pride in their work.
-If you are at a restaurant, plan for an extra hour as they tend to let you take your time;) I have been known to ask for the check once I get my food. Adapt and adjust. However, they are nothing but nice and go out of their way to take care of your needs. You are never wrong.
-Most restaurants have a wide variety of mocktails (labled mocktails) and many don't serve actual cocktails. An average glass of wine is $10/$12....and that can be the house wine.
-Most places sell fresh yummy juice and have the choice of sparking or still water.
- Since Saudi is a dry country many come over to Bahrain to party on the weekend. Especially out where we lived.
-There is no real bacon at restaraunts and there is a usually a room off to the side in the grocery store that sells pork items. Out of sight, out of mind?
-Since we are talking about food I might mention that grocery prices are very high and sometimes it takes 3 stores to get a list complete.
-The workers at the register sit in a chair instead of stand all day. Not a bad deal.
-While you are shopping you might hear curse words because they play American rap, but the unedited versions. Ear muffs kiddos!
-When shopping at the grocery store you will notice there aren't locks on the wheels...makes for a nice ab workout.
- Schwarma is the next best thing to a mexican taco!! ....and you can pull up in the street, they run to your car, get your order, take your money, and bring you your food. Did I mention they are super cheap? The yummiest, cheapest meal in all of Bahrain. They don't start serving until after 4 bc they have to cook the meat all day.
-What is that in the distance? A big black cloud of black smoke?...oh it's just a tire fire..back to the daily routine.
- If you are military you will receive texts or calls letting you know where protests are being held. The first year we were here we were given orders for essential travel only many times.
-When using the bathroom in public beware of the water all over the floor and seat. The little spray contraption is used more often than TP. In fact it is a gamble whether there will be toilet paper at all. -In a lot of the bathrooms an attendant will be available for clean up.
-Most bathrooms have the choice of luxury seating with a hole in the ground.
-Driving...phew..here comes the adapt and adjust....and become a very good defensive driver.
- There is a yellow light to let you know green is coming and yellow light to let you know red is coming
-Shoulder?? What shoulder? That is just another lane.
- Parking...oh goodness, this one drives a lot of people nuts including myself. "There are two spaces, well I will take both...oh you needed that space?...sorry"
-Don't worry about following the traffic laws because the cops have more important things to worry about.
- I have been cut off by a cop, I have cut off a cop at a roundabout, and I have actually been bumped by a cop....never would I have dreamed this up.
-Watch out for the those flashing lights behind you....you won't miss them because they come so close. This means move out of the way. Same goes for honking. If you want something just honk.
-Don't lose your temper and shoot the finger because you can and probably will get fined for that.
-Yield and Merge signs? What are those?
- There are no street signs, just numbers. So directions are better given by using land marks.
- Speaking of landmarks....it takes a while for anything to be built. For instance, there is a coffee shop that has been in progress of being built...for about 12 months. I thought just maybe it would be finished by the time I left. No such luck.
-I am not sure if there are safety regulations for the workers and if they exist they definitely aren't followed. Not just in construction but guys working landscaping. I can be driving 40mph past a guy picking weeds with his backside in the street. One wrong move....
-There is tons of construction around the island. In fact sometimes it feels like one big construction site. Some neighborhoods only have dirt roads. Lots of diggers, backhoe loaders, and cranes. Every young boys dream.
-Beware of construction trucks not chained down to a flat bed while in tow.
- Sometimes you can see the workers taking naps against the tree or just wherever they can find space.
-Stuff is poorly built here. There aren't people who specialize in certain areas. AC is something that normally will go out and they might send a plumber to fix it
-So beware of water dripping from above the stove or light bulb explosions.
-Helmets are definitely not worn by the people commuting on bikes.
- This includes the kids riding their bikes in the streets.
- Kids tend to stay out late, even on school nights. They adapt to the weather. Plus side: we always have the park to ourselves in the morning.
-Speaking of kiddos they tend to not follow the car seat regulations. I have seen the written law but again this is one that is overlooked. You may even catch a kid helping their parent drive or waving to people outside of the sunroof.
- Of course everything is in Celsius and they use the metric system.
-There are no copywright laws so getting copies of movies and tv series is very affordable
-Want to leave a message for a friend? you better text instead. No messages on cell phones.
- Mechanics will come to you! They will pick your car up and fix it and bring it back. If you need a rental, no worries. If they are a good mechanic they will bring you one.
- When someone is coming to meet you or fix something most likely they will tell you a time followed by inshallah. You never want to hear inshallah (God willing). This really means whenever I get there, I get there. Basically, punctuality is not a concern.
-If you go to the waterpark know that you will be one lady with many men. Woman don't tend to go to the waterpark and to be honest I wouldn't either if I had to wear a burkini. Believe, I tried one on.
-If you are a woman the women workers will call you madam and if you are male the male workers will call you boss.
-You will see men playing cricket in dirt lots. I guess you work with what you are given.
-Bahrain is referenced to as the "Land of Sand", "50 Shades of Beige", and my favorite I found in a brochure, "The Land of Golden Smiles".
- Speaking of 50 shades of Beige the inside will most likely be white marble floors with white walls.
- Command strips have become my best friend. The walls are concrete so putting a nail in the wall requires a drill.
-There are women only gyms, salons, etc.
- If you want to go out for breakfast don't plan on doing it before at least 8:30 and don't plan on getting that specialty coffee at the coffee shop before 7.
-Most people tend to eat dinner late so it's nice to have the place to yourself if you eat before 730.
-Feel like eating for 4/5 hours? No problem. Brunch is a normal Friday to do here in Bahrain. You pay a set fee and have at it. Don't expect breakfast. I have only been to one with breakfast.
- The sun starts to rise around 4:30/5:30 year round. What is the weather today? Sunny :) Only variation being dusty/windy. You know we love a good dust storm ;)
-You learn to appreciate 90 degree weather after a long summer.
-Don't you worry about running out of hot water, plenty of that here.
- You must learn to negotiate if you live here....negotiate rent, negotiate at the tailor, negotiate while shopping at the souq, etc
- Many of the rentals have 2 in 1 washer/dryer. Allow for a full day to get a load washed and dried.
- Many scenes in movies and shows are missing on cable and in the theaters.
-The malls are a big family event. They are very nice and people shop until late. Just to give you an idea the mall is open from 10AM -2 AM.
-Whether you are going on a short trip to Dubai or a longer flight and you are flying a Middle Eastern Airline you will most likely be riding in luxury. They also take care of the kiddos quite nicely.
-If it rains be prepared for leaking water in your house and flooded streets as they aren't prepared for such a thing.
-Obviously it being the desert there is very very limited green but the water is a beautiful blue.
- You may see men kissing or holding hands, but you will never see a man and woman doing this is public.
- …and be prepared for stares.
I know there are more. I may even add more as I remember but for the time being this is what came to mind. It sure was an adventure in Bahrain. As much as I couldn't wait to come back we have had to adjust in many ways. It was a challenging tour but mainly because of Bryan's hours. All the other stuff that came along with it just added to the grand adventure.
This is a picture of the man made islands of Amwaj. This is where we lived along with many of our friends. The islands span about 3.5 miles. A very small community. If I had to do it all over again I would with out a doubt in my mind pick to live here again.
A view from high up.
Many streets are narrow filled with vehicles of all sizes.
This is a normal view you will see in Bahrain. Dirt lots.
Construction, construction, construction.
This is the first night we arrived 2 years ago. On to the next adventure.
I loved this and was nodding all the way through it. Great list! :)
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