Let's start with the weather. Believe it or not it is freezing here! Even colder than in D.C. on some days. And so another misconception about the Middle East went crashing out the window. Bahrain is experiencing the coldest winter since 1904. All the stores in the country ran out of space heaters and those who missed out on the rush for heaters had to freeze for a few days as suppliers scrambled to import more from Dubai. We all have to wear socks and sweaters inside the house. Provided there are no more surprises it should be warmer by the end of January.
CHRISTMAS
Our first Christmas in Bahrain was enjoyable. To answer a friend's question: it was definitley not like Eid Al Fitr or Eid al Adha in D.C. For here, there were Christmas decorations everywhere, including snowmen and the ubiquitous Santa Claus. There was a festive spirit in the air and the only things missing were Christmas carols. Luckily we had some CDs which we listened to repeatedly but we didn't mind. We decided to try something new and had Christmas lunch at a hotel this year: Kemi got stuffed on stuffed turkey; Kunle's cars were present at lunch; Yinka ate too much bread, Yomi missed his "iyan" and Georgine was happy not to have had to cook or clean up! And best of all, Santa indeed goes everwhere.
More pictures:http://www.flickr.com/photos/70975759@N00/sets/72157594392051195/detail/
EXPLORING
We took our first trip out towards the south of the island and saw the Tree of Life and the highest point in Bahrain, Jebel Al Dukhan. The kids climbed their first mountain. The Tree of Life is astonishing because its standing right in the middle of the desert, with no other tree to be seen for miles. And nobody knows its source of water. Its been standing there for generations and is reputed to have stood there for over 400 years.
Driving to the Tree of Life took us past several oil wells. Bahrain is the first country in the Gulf to discover oil. There was a famous geologist who had laughed at the idea of finding oil in Bahrain. Apparently, he made a bet that he would drink every drop of oil found in the Gulf!!
More pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70975759@N00/sets/72157594392042663/detail/
OFF
TO SCHOOL
A very curious Mommy asked, "Why are you happy?"
"I am going to school!"
And off to school we went.
More pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70975759@N00/sets/72157594392051718/detail/
HOW TO PEEL A BANANA
There is an ongoing dispute in our home as to how to peel a banana. We found out(after almost 10 years of marriage the things one discovers) that Yomi has been peeling bananas from the non-stem end. He says this is the way bananas are peeled in Nigeria. In Jamaica, bananas are peeled from the stem end. In his bid to convince the rest of us that he was actually the genius in the family he unearthed an article on the Internet. Written by an economist (some authority!), the article explores the pros and cons of peeling bananas from either end. Have a read: http://www.slate.com/id/2067407/
