This Ashoora isn't like home...

Today is the official day of Ashoora, a Muslim day of mourning and remembrance. It is marked by religious festivals that last from Jan 17-20 this year, but today the 19th is when it is observed, when everything in Bahrain shuts down. Grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls... everything is closed. Of course Ashoora means different things for the Shias than it does for the Sunnis, but since the Bahrain population majority is Shia, the only things I've learned is about the Shia traditions. Apparently they don't like foreigners to go into the villages during this time. I have been told this ex-pats, so I don't know how true it is. I've driven through the villages before, just to look around because I was curious, and the Shias don't really have any reaction-- mostly just staring because why in the world is this girl driving through the village. But during this time of Ashoora, they flagellate themselves and make cuts into their foreheads so that blood streams down their heads. I think I will take the advice and stay out of the villages today.

Apparently Ashoora marks the day that Hussein (no, not Saddam) was martyred-- there are signs honoring Hussein everywhere you go. Hussein was somebody important way back when, somebody very important in the teachings of Mohammed, I am not sure in what way, maybe a prophet. When he was killed, Islam was split into two sects-- the Sunnis and the Shias (Shiites). I'm pretty sure I'm not doing the explanation justice in these three sentences. Perhaps I should spend this day learning more about it.

There are huge, black flags everywhere on the island. There is graffiti on the concrete walls of buildings with quotes about Hussein. When you drive past the villages, you can see the streets are packed with abaya-wearing women, in large numbers that you don't usually see in one place. Large fabric banners are hung across the entrance of these villages. The decorations are kind of I don't know how to explain it, broke-down, and remind me of the San Gennaro feast held in NYC's Little Italy every September. I'm pretty sure there are no pork sausages during this festival, though.

So yesterday I thought I better go stock up at the grocery store since I wouldn't have the option to go today. I tried to make it in the morning, but of course with Elena one thing led to another and by the time we were ready to go out, it was 3pm. At the grocery store at 3:30pm, we wandered down the empty aisles since everyone else came and hoarded already. There was no milk. There was no chicken. I really hate living on this island sometimes. I got some Pringles and a jar of spaghetti sauce which will just have to do. It's convenient that Jeff is out of town since I can always make do with a Snickers bar for dinner, but he can't.

Yes, Jeff is out of town again. Been gone for a week now. Of course he was supposed to be gone for 4 days, and of course his return date was delayed. I pretty much expect that everytime his company sends him out of town for a ferry flight or a training (which it is this time) that he will never come back when he is supposed to. The company will inevitably mess something up. I will not be surprised when one day his company sends him out and he just will never return, and I will never see him again because he landed in a black hole created by his company. He has lost so much time with his family due to this company it's not even funny. It would be one thing if these trips were really fruitful and beneficial to him and/or his career, but 95% of the time they are simply a waste of time. And sorry, but a 5% success rate, in my opinion, just isn't worth the sacrifice.

Rain, rain go away

It rains in Bahrain. Who knew? It doesn't rain very much. Maybe a downpour for 30 minutes. And it's only happened twice. But it causes such a mess! There's no drainage. It's muddy everywhere. Everywhere is slick because the floors are made of marble and granite. White cars turn brown. It's gross.

Bush in Bahrain

We saw his motorcade today. Of course we were stuck in traffic for miles (I should say kilometres) because they shut down the highway for him. All of us were herded toward the surface streets for a distance before we could get back on the highway. And zooming in the opposite direction on a traffic-free stretch were police cars with blue lights flashing, and several dark green Tahoes, and one black one with the US presidential seal on it, all windows tinted black. Think he was in that one? Does he travel with it? Jeff says it can fit in a 747. Anyway, wonder what he thought of this little island. I wonder if he mispronounces the capital, Manama, as rhyming with Panama, like I did when I first moved here. Probably.

When is a Snickers bar not a Snickers bar?

When it's made in Australia!

I bought a Snickers bar and got home and eagerly opened it up and cut off a piece with a knife and it's missing the nougat! The most critical component of a Snickers bar! It's just chocolate and caramel and peanuts! Call it a Payday, then!

I looked at the wrapper and it had all the Arabic writing on it like most everything here, then I saw (in English) that the country of origin was Australia! Those prankster Aussies!