The Kindness of Strangers

I went to my new friends B and L's house the other night. They are a wonderful couple with two small children. B's mom was there also, she goes by "mommy," at least that's what she told me to call her when I asked her how I should call her.

It all started on my first trip to Bahrain, when we were still living in the hotel in Saudi. Jeff was called away to London so I spent a few days in Bahrain alone. I stayed in a hotel that was about a mile away from a giant mall. One afternoon, I walked to the mall, and walked around and watched a movie. It was around 9pm when I headed back to the hotel. I didn't immediately see a taxi stand, but I didn't look very hard since it was only a mile walk and thought it'd be good to get the exercise.

But of course, it was dark outside by then.

I started walking and realized that this is not a walking part of town. Because of the new construction, the area was deserted at night. My brightly lit hotel was like a beacon in the sea, the only "live" structure in this area. I had heard Bahrain was pretty safe, so I continued, thinking that if I walked fast, I would be OK.

I didn't count on every other car honking at me at I walked down the street. What was going on? Were they friendly honks? Menacing honks? I didn't know! I shook my head at each car, seeing as it was usually just one man in the car. Even though Bahrain allows more freedom for women compared to Saudi, it is still a conservative place, especially compared to US standards. I don't think they see many women walking alone at night. Still, I wasn't too keen on hitching a ride with a total stranger.

Another car honked as it passed by slowly. Again I shook my head. It passed me. Then stopped. Then the white backing lights lit up. It slowly made its way backwards on the street toward me. Oh no, I thought. Should I run across the street? Turn back around? The passenger door opened. The driver yelled over, "My family is with me. Let us give you a ride." I peered inside. The driver was a man, the passenger seat empty. The backseat held a woman, an older woman, and they each were holding one child. Phew. I couldn't be in danger with a grandma and two toddlers on board! I climbed in and pointed to the hotel. They dropped me off right in front of the hotel.

During the car ride, we introduced ourselves and they couldn't have been nicer. The husband gave me his business card, and said to look them up if I was in Bahrain again. When Jeff and I decided to move here, I contacted them and since then, struck up a friendship. It's nice to spend time with some "locals!"

At dinner they told me they were so worried about me walking alone! They said no one does that. They said people might mistake me for being Filipino and kidnap me and make me clean their house! Bwah! That might be a little paranoid, but I like hearing this combined with other tidbits-- makes me feel like I'm getting tutored in local mores.