So Long, Farewell

No, that's not fireworks. This is night driving in Bahrain. I thought the photo is appropriate, as I am leaving tonight for home. This will probably be my last post on Bahrain Day by Day. I have kept my blog since arriving in Feb. I missed one day without a new post.
To all my friends and family, we'll keep in touch through conventional means of communication, such as e:mail, snail mail, and telephone. Thank you all for your comments and encouragement on the blog. Good night, for now.

Price of Gas

I'm getting ready to go home for the summer. Collecting a few gifts for family and friends, packing my bags. Wish I could include a couple of gallons of gas for everyone. Here in Bahrain we can fill up our car for about $12.00.

The two choices of petrol grades are Jayyid for Regular, and Mumtaz for Premium. It always amazes me that the gas station attendant must know at least three languages to pump gas!

Pet Souk

A section of the Isa Town Souk has a lot of birds for sale. It's a busy, noisy place on the weekend. Here a couple of boys are handling a small hawk.

There were quite a few parrots perched for sale.

Besides the birds we saw a goat, a monkey, and these bunnies (sitting on top of a cage of chickens).

There was also a Peacock walking around. Check out this short video for the
sound!

A'Ali Village Pottery

Years ago we lived in A'ali Village. The A'Ali pottery is one of the national crafts. The small factory is built on and around old stone mounds believed to be the original communal kilns.

Today we took a look at the old pottery site.

The pottery is still made in the traditional way on a kick wheel where the man's legs are in the hole below the throwing wheel.

Brings back memories of Ceramics 101 at Interlochen!

Here is a short video.

Rain in Bahrain

It is late in the season for us to get rain in Bahrain, but it was predicted, and we have had a couple of overcast days. Today it happened.
One way I could tell that it had rained, were the spots in the dust on our balcony, when I hung out our wash to dry.

It looks like it was wash day for some one else who drives this truck!

Bahrain Friends

Over the years we have made several great friends here in Bahrain. Some of these friends, of many different nationalities, have left Bahrain, and we visit them, or keep in touch by e:mail. Some of these friends are Bahraini, and I hope we will keep in touch with them, too.

Our good friend, Hussein, is the shop keeper, where we bought most of our household items to furnish and embellish our home here in Bahrain....a secondhand shop called Star Auction!

What a funny guy!

And now I'd like to introduce Little Hussein, "Ali" Who was born 2 weeks ago.

Another funny little guy? Congratulations, Mom and Dad.

Portuguese Fort

The Portuguese Fort is probably the most famous Tourist attraction in Bahrain, and has been for 30 years. Fifteen to twenty years ago there was an active French team of archaeologists at the site for several seasons. I believe they discovered many of the items that are now on display in the National Museum. Since that time the Portuguese part of the fort has been restored to show the towers and walls (of the moat), as they once were. The Portuguese conquered Bahrain in 1522, and were a presence until about 1600.

More recently they have excavated just outside the fort walls, and discovered at least two sites, which may have been villages from a much earlier date.

On the Road

Below is one of the "Gas and Pray" stops on the Road to Riyadh. That's a Petrol station and a roadside Walmart. Usually, there is mosque next door.

To Muharraq Again

A few years ago, a new bridge to Muharraq was built. Here is a view of that bridge, from the Manama corniche. Once you get to Muharraq, by any of the three bridges, it is interesting to explore the old suq and there are interesting photo ops are everywhere. The merchants are friendly and accommodating to the camera.

Below is a unique shop! Can you guess what they sell? It turns out it is a "Letter Writer".

Below, these men are leaving the coffee shop.

Potpourri

From my photo files this is one of my favorites:

Saar Archaeological Dig

Several years ago, one of my volunteer activities was to help the British team of archaeologists at one of the sites here in Bahrain. Today, I saw a new signpost pointing to the dig. (It had not been marked before, and you had to drive cross-country, no paved road to get to it.) I followed the signs, and when I got there found a team of Bahrainis working the site.

This site is in the middle of the island. They have uncovered what seems to be a complete village, and they estimate that it is 2,000 - 4,000 years old. They found a few "gems" here, such as Dilmun seals, and pearls. There were many pottery pieces. they identified what they think was the community oven, and located the place of worship.

When I was helping, there were 4-6 of us who would come early in the morning and sit under this tree with buckets of water, and have a production line of washing pottery shards. From rough rinse, to brushing with a toothbrush. Amazing to be touching something that was used by women several thousands of years ago.

Aboriginal Art Exhibit

This afternoon I went to another of the advertised Spring cultural events in Bahrain. I have been trying to find La Fontaine for a couple of years!. This is a restored 150 year old house on the edge of the Suq, in an area I am not familiar, that has contemporary art, a restaurant, and a spa. I did find it, with the help of the receptionist giving me directions. As you can see the building itself is worth visiting. Below is the interior courtyard.

The exhibition of Aboriginal Art was displayed in this unique gallery space.

The works of art continue the oldest living art tradition in the world.