You know you've been in the Middle East too long when...

• You're not surprised to see a goat in the passenger seat or tied up to a post outside your flat building

• You think the uncut version of "Little House on the Prairie" is provocative 

• You need a sweater when it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit 

• Your idea of housework is leaving a list for the houseboy 

• You believe that speed limits are only advisory 

• You believe that the definition of a nanosecond is the time interval between the time the light turns green and the time that the guy behind you begins to blow his horn 

• You can't buy anything without asking for a discount 

• You expect all stores to stay open till midnight 

• You understand that 'wadi bashing' isn't a criminal act 

• You make left turns from the far right lane 

• You send friends a map instead of your address 

• You understand why huge 4x4’s must slow down to a snail's pace whilst crossing a speed bump yet hurtle through a wadi at 100 kph 

• You think that "Howareyou" is one word. So is "Mamsir" 

• You think it perfectly normal to have a picnic in the middle of a roundabout at 11 p.m. 

• You know exactly how much alcohol allowance you have left for the month 

• You have a moon phase predictor on your computer 

• You never say Saturday instead of Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday anymore 

• You accept that there is no point in asking why you are not allowed to do something 

• You expect queues to be 1 person deep and 40 people wide 

• You realize that the black and white stripes in the road are not a zebra crossing, just bait to get tourists into the firing line 

• You carry 12 passport size photos around with you just in case 

• You can tell the time by listening to the local mosque 

• You think its a good night if there are fewer than 10 men for every woman in a bar

• Phrases like 'potato peeler', 'dish washer', 'coffee maker' and 'fly swatter' are no longer household items but are actually job titles 

• You overtake a police car at 130KM/HRA 

• Problem with your car AC or horn is more serious to you than a problem with the brakes

 and yes they do this all the time!

Bahraini Farmers Market

When I told the guys that they needed to be up and ready to go by 8 AM on their day off, they looked a little puzzled, well Stephen actually scowled at me. I know what he was thinking, this is my one true day that I am able to sleep late and you are going to make me get up early! You see every Saturday from 8-noon there is a Farmers Market at the Gardens here in Bahrain where you can buy local fruits and vegetables. And if there is one thing that I love it is a Farmers Market, because you never know exactly what you will find! Living on an island, we rely heavily on imports and local produce is very limited unless you know where to look, and this is our chance to support the local farmers!

We were out of the house by 8:15 and on our way. We met our friends, Helen, Lance, Mollie, and her friend Mercia at the market and off we went for our early morning adventure. On one side of the venue there are food vendors - omelets, hash browns, samosas, and other yummy foods all made while you wait! Oh and did I mention? They also had my favorite tea! All of this for a mere 2 BD, which converted is $5.30 - breakfast for two! It was delicious!

Seating was a little tricky, as we had one table with five chairs, so we took turns eating. Other families who were there had obviously done this before and brought blankets to sit on - must make note and do that next time!

Next, we were off to buy our veggies. Luckily I had brought my list, otherwise, I would have been so distracted by the abundance of items that I would have forgotten what I went there to buy.

While most of the stands sold vegetables, fruits and herbs, some stands only sold fresh herbs. A few had actual potted herbs to buy. I bought basil, parsley, cilantro and mint plants. So far as of this writing, they are still alive, tho it may have to do with my gardener transferring them into a bigger pot for me and I quote, "little pot no good!"

Nothing beats the fresh smell of herbs!

The cauliflower shown here in this picture is 400 fils which is equivalent to $1.06 in the states. However, as always just because it has a price on it does not mean that is what you pay, you bargain for everything here!

They also sell fresh eggs - chicken, duck and quail eggs. We did not buy any eggs this trip. 

There was a section of the market dedicated to local artists. Young and old were there painting and even had some of their paintings for sale. We did not have enough BD with us or we would have come home with one of the beautiful paintings. 

I cannot wait to go back this upcoming weekend for some fresh vegetables and perhaps this time we will take home a local painting!

Back in the Land of Sand

First I would like to apologize for the lack of updates. Last year I was working a lot at the video store and did not have a lot of down time to sit and write. I have posted our pictures from our vacation to Thailand last April. I have to say it is one of my favorite places! One of the most relaxing times I have had in a long while. The water was such a vibrant color of blue and just beautiful! One of my most favorite meals while we were there was Thai Basil Chicken made right on the beach! 

In June of last year, Stephen took a job with a different company and we left Bahrain. I went home to set up house in Texas and Stephen went to Afghanistan. His job there was for a year tour with an expected vacation around Christmas. However, the company he was working for lost the contract bid and we decided he would not stay, which meant instead of a vacation in December he would be transitioning to a new job. A long story short, he went back to work for his previous company in Bahrain. Stephen came home to Texas the weekend after Thanksgiving and right before the big ice storm that shut the state down for over a week. Craziness! We were able to spend time with family, although less than desired. Tuesday, before our departure, we had dinner with friends and family to celebrate Stephen's safe arrival home and our departure for Bahrain that upcoming Saturday. It was truly wonderful getting to spend that time together. We braved the cold and snow/ice on the roads and had dinner with Stephen's brother and 3 out of the 5 of our children in Benbrook. 

Getting out of Texas, however, almost did not happen. Ice and snow. For most places in America this would not be a problem, however, the Dallas/Fort Worth area is not equipped to handle this type of weather and basically shut the airport down. Although our flight had been canceled, we were able to switch airlines and get out of Texas. Because it took so long to de-ice the plane in Texas we were over two hours late and missed our connection in London.  Two security checks and three different counters, two buses and the train - we were ready for bed! Thankfully we made it safely as did our luggage, which surprised the heck out of me!

We have been settling in nicely in Bahrain, almost as if we never left. Stephen of course is busy with work and I have joined the FRG on base which I am enjoying thus far. We also get together with friends once a week for game night - where we all bring a dish and then play games together. It is quite nice! Our household goods have arrived and we have moved in to a fabulous villa which I will write about later this week.

Blessings,

The Goudy's