One full day of Bah

Ok, so I wasn't sure about the whole "Blog" deal, but when I got to writing emails and posting things on Facebook, I suddenly realized that a blog may be the best way to go.

So I'm here. Here on the blog and here in the Bah. Bahrain. It's like other places in the Middle East. Hot, sandy, windy, and hot. My flight over was long, and by long I mean 20 hours of sitting on my butt, unable to move my legs because airlines make seats for the ever booming midget population. My trip took me from St Louis to Chicago, then from Chicago to London, then from London to Bahrain. During the boarding process in Chicago I walked on to the flight, realized I had a middle seat in one of the back rows, and thought to myself "I really don't want to do this. I really don't want to sit on a plane for the next 19 hours." But I did. I sat there, told myself to man up (you're only 28 Jen, there's no room for complaints about sore knees or discomfort! You've slept on concrete floors in airports, you can do this!).

I sat next to a very strange man. He was Asian, but sounded British born. No, that's not the strange part. The strange part is that he was from Idaho. Really, Idaho? He was SO from Idaho, that he graduated from High School there, went to College and Master's work there, then only moved to the UK for 2 years of doctoral work. In 2 years he managed to pick up a (quite horrible attempt at a) British accent.

My layover in London was spent standing in line. A line to get on the bus to Terminal 5, a line to go through passport checks, and a line for security. My 4 hour layover was quickly condensed to an hour and a half - just enough time for a quick breakfast (because American Airlines said it was "too turbulent" to serve us on the plane... though there was no turbulence), and I had a few glasses of wine at a nice bar followed by a long walk around the shops.

By the time I boarded the plan for London I was exhausted. It was about 3am St Louis time, and the 2 glasses of wine didn't help. I had a front row window (the seat where there's a wall in front, therefore no place to store your personal items) - but there was lots of leg room, and no one in the middle seat. I was passed out before the plane took off. It was the embarrassing kind of passed out ... you know, where you're only woken by either the hard bounce of your head against your chest, or the feeling of drool going down your chin. Yeah, it was THAT good. Unfortunately it was only 45 minutes. I barely recall the plane taking off, then thinking we were crashing, then I was awake! The meal came, I watched a few movies, and we landed in Bah around 8pm.

After a few more lines, waiting for my 3 bags (they all arrived, yay!), and going through customs, I was picked up by Danny and Earl - my two coworkers. We met up with a few others for sushi - I powered through the need for sleep - the need for food always comes first. I finished off the night having a nightcap with Danny and Earl at Danny's apartment. It gave me an idea for what the places look like around here. Much nicer in person vs online. By tumbler #2 I don't remember what I was talking about, but they were laughing, so it must have been funny. Earl's in the same hotel as me, so he took me home and I checked in.

The hotel is nice, and the staff is incredible! So friendly, and they're paid so well (compared to the rest of the economy) that you don't tip! It's great! They got my bags, took me up to my room ... well, I got lost first. The staff never take the same elevator as you (which I found ridiculous), so I go up to what I thought was my floor, but it wasn't. The numbering system here is different, so I tried 3 more floors before figuring out which one I was on, I think the guy was on the phone with security looking for me when I finally arrived! haha! He then explained how the numbering system worked, then took me into the room to make sure I knew how everything else worked. Sure, he talked to me like I was a child, but after 30+ hours without sleep and a few drinks in me... I honestly didn't care and probably looked a little confused.

I slept well and woke up to unpack and hit the gym. It was a good workout and I felt ready for anything to come! I called Danny and he picked me up to take me into the office for about 2 hours. I also bought some groceries and made dinner plans with the team lead. I've had about 4 cups of tea (because it's soooo tasty), and managed to get lunch in the hotel even with it being Ramadan (when Muslims can't eat while the sun's up).

Now.. I've heard about what it's like to be a woman over here, and how women who live in this city during the working week are known as "working girls," but that's mostly for the non-western women. It's assumed white girls are here for corporate/military business reasons (unless you're ex-USSR looking). So, coming into this job I knew that smiling in this culture is seen as a sign of sexual invitation. I knew it would be hard for me - I like to smile and laugh (even if it's at nothing). The staff is more western-geared, so they smile and laugh with me, but with the general population and construction workers I attempt to glare -and we pretty much avoid each other. If I'm walking down an isle the worker will step aside as I pass, or take another route. Well, walking into lunch today the host smiled at me in greeting so I smiled too and laughed at something he said. As he led me to my table I saw this tiny Arab man (in some Gucci suit) approaching. I forgot to wipe the grin off my face, so when I turned to him I was still smiling away... and he got closer... there where 5 other walking-route options for him to take, but he stayed on a course towards me (which I thought was strange). When he was about 2 feet from me, this 5 foot man gave me a look that plainly said "I want to F*** you" hahahaha!

I texted Danny and told him. His response was "yeah, you're going to make a lot of friends out here"

Haha!

Welcome to Bahrain.