Perhaps there is just a slim chance I don't have women breaking my door down, or drink all my fluids from a cup made of Unicorn Tears that is sprinkled with diamond dust.
But, maybe I am.
And maybe I do.
The only reason I don't drink out of a unicorn mug is because I don't know which one is more "me"...
So, needless to say I was impressed when someone told me they read this blog. Honestly, I have no idea if anyone sees this or reads it. Blogger gives me stats but according to it I only have 3 followers, one of which is a former student.
*shudders*
So if there are people who aren't the few friends I have guilt tripped into reading it - or at least skimming it in between hands while they are playing poker online - I want to say thank you.
I did actually receive a message about the blog from a guy originally from Turkey. He politely asked if I wouldn't mind writing about how I started to fit in here, and since I seriously am out of ideas some days, I thought it would be a shame not to oblige.
So here we go....
ahem.
RYAN'S EXPAT GUIDE:
WELCOME TO BAHRAIN!
Pretty awesome, right? Look at how that guy is hitting those words! And the explosion after!?
YOU KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD BECAUSE LOOK HOW AWESOME THAT IS.
So, I know everyone will experience something different. Early on I did write about a few things I did - the Rugby Club, a few Friday brunches etc. But I figure what I can do in order to help the new arrival is just highlight a few things that I have found to be pretty helpful in my settling in.
I promise to only mention the fact they deliver liquor RIGHT TO YOUR DAMN DOOR a few times.
Where to begin?
Let's start with getting your place set up so home feels like home.
TIP #1: HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
ALSO WHERE YOUR BED IS.
YOUR HOUSE KEY WILL LET YOU IN.
Everyone that arrives in Bahrain needs a place to stay. Some people stay with coworkers in shared housing. Some people get put up in a hotel for a week or two while they sort out their own housing. And some are provided housing by their employer as part of the package that would make the job more appealing.
I am, and very fortunately so, in that 3rd group. I arrived and had a place to call my own - and on top of that, it was surrounded by people I would be working with, so meeting new people was easier for me than most.
At the same time, I think you really can't settle into a new environment, especially if you are changing your entire world around by leaving what you have called home, without making where you live feel warm and welcoming.
No, really. Let me see it before I open the door and let you in.
That means something different to everyone - for me it involved filling the fridge full of snacks and beer, hanging up a few choice objects from home, setting up my bookshelf. Now, I don't read them - let's not be silly - but having books out always added a sense of permanence to a place.
If I am going to be here long enough to read these books it must be a home.
If you were able to bring some things from home, get them up as soon as you can. The sooner you are surrounded by comfort, the sooner you will be more comfortable branching out. I guess going out is easier when you know you have a safe environment to come home to. On top of that, it is just simply easier on the mind to come home to something familiar. You are under enough stress, so hang up that Spice Girls poster and get to feeling safe and secure!
I tell you what I want, what I really really...oh sweet Jesus not that...
Even if you did bring stuff from home, you will need to fill in the blanks. You know, get your bathroom covered in precious stones and comic book memoribilia...get your hallway equipped with the latest and greatest fog machine/disco ball combo that has ever been...maybe even set up the .50 caliber machine gun on your roof for when the birds won't shut the hell up.
In order to do that, you will have to make the trip to Manazel. It is a centrally located "everything" store that will furnish your house with the three things you went to buy, and the 32 things you also bought while you were there.
The first thing you're gonna want to do is get your hands on one of these babies:
Pixelated hand is actually included with the card.
I have written about this place before, but I can't stress enough how much this place isn't like your traditional "everything" store...like a Wal-Mart or a Target in the US. This place doesn't have everything...it isn't like a BJ's Wholesale Club back home for me. I can't do my banking while they rotate my tires in the macaroni and cheese aisle of the 3rd annex from the hall of records and employee lounge.
However, they do have everything of what they do have.
You want a painting? They have all of them. Hundreds.
You want motor oil? They have all of them. Hundreds.
Shower curtain? May actually number in the thousands.
Bucket? Yes. How many gallons would you like? 1? 2? 3,228,917,223.6?
They have that.
Would you like a Christmas Tree?
I swear they had one that show fake snow out of the top and collected it again at the bottom only to shoot it from the top again in an endless cycle of white Styrofoam Christmas spirit.
But go there, find something you can call your own and start making your place feel like your place. If you are going to live and work in a foreign country, you can escape a lot of things, but who you are is coming with you, free of charge.
So don't be shy to ask people back home for help. Ask for that lamp you love to be sent over, you know...the My Little Pony one?
Or that mummified pinky finger you found in your garbage disposal that cold November morning. Send it. You can't explore the rest of the place well until you have a home to come home to.
TIP #2: YOUR HOME IS BORING. LEAVE.ALSO IS THAT A MUMMIFIED PINKY FINGER?
THAT IS JUST WEIRD.
This is the part I had a tough time with.
You have to get out and see what is local to you. I was placed in Riffa, which is great for families. It is quiet and safe, and there is not much around that would be trouble for you or your family.
On the other hand as a single person, there is nothing around except content families, and they are the absolute worst thing ever for a single person to be around.
"Hi! We are the perfects. Touch our abs and feel the power"
Getting out wasn't easy. I do enjoy doing things on my own, so at least I wasn't too uncomfortable with the fact that a lot of my exploring of Bahrain would be on a solo trip.
If you have people you moved with or know, it is a good idea to start you're toe-dipping into Bahrain as soon as you can. The first month or two, yes, you will go to all the hypermarkets and the big stores only. It is just natural to settle in and go to "sure thing" places like that.
However, even if you like those stores, it is a good idea to get an idea of where you live. I live very close to the Riffa souk. If it hadn't been pointed out to me I may have never even known it was there. One reason is it didn't look like my definition of a souk - and two because it isn't near anything I was familiar with.
I found a nice little market that I will sometimes go to. There are a few other stores down there for when I want to remind myself there is a whole world outside of my little bubble. And I feel it is good to try to experience where you live - isn't like you can hide from it. The longer you avoid embracing the culture and your new neighborhood, the longer you will keep yourself from being content.
So I asked around, and near to me was the souk, Fort Riffa, and the Tree of Life.
I made it a point to see the Tree as soon as I could, the souk I got to a bit after, and the Fort I saw with my friend from Australia.
Why go see a tree and a fort?
BECAUSE THIS IS RIFFA THERE IS SERIOUSLY NOTHING TO DO HERE EXCEPT WATCH FAMILIES BOND WITH ONE ANOTHER.
But the point is, if you live in Muharraq you should try to see the sights in Muharraq. Live in Jufair? Plenty right outside your door. Saar? Seef? Isa Town? Each has its own "stuff".
Also, let Google do some of the heavy lifting. I just Googled "Things to do in Muharraq" and got a list of links. Some good, some bad, but it produced a list or 22 things to do on one of the top hits.
Try one of these in Muharraq, and you will certainly run into another visitor with whom you can make a connection with:
1 Beit Sheikh Isa
The former residence of ruler Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa is a fine example of Gulf Islamic architecture, where you can see inner courtyards, traditional porticoes and wall carvings, while gaining insights into life before air conditioning – a wind tower cools the rooms. Conveniently situated, this well preserved 19th-century mansion is a good place to start the tour if you’re a first-timer or showing visitors around.
(17 334 945). Open Sat-Thu 8am-2pm. Cost 200fils
The former residence of ruler Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa is a fine example of Gulf Islamic architecture, where you can see inner courtyards, traditional porticoes and wall carvings, while gaining insights into life before air conditioning – a wind tower cools the rooms. Conveniently situated, this well preserved 19th-century mansion is a good place to start the tour if you’re a first-timer or showing visitors around.
(17 334 945). Open Sat-Thu 8am-2pm. Cost 200fils
2 Street art by Saleh Sultan Salmeen Bakeet
Follow the signs from Beit Sheikh Isa to Seyadi House (closed for renovations, but worth viewing from outside) and, as you return across the square, you’ll see a striking art installation. Composed of a variety of found objects, including tennis balls, clocks, flags, a traffic light and photographs, it wouldn’t be out of place in a Museum of Modern Art. It is, in fact, the work – and home – of Saleh Sultan Salmeen Bakeet, whose barely distinguishable front door is embedded in the art.
Follow the signs from Beit Sheikh Isa to Seyadi House (closed for renovations, but worth viewing from outside) and, as you return across the square, you’ll see a striking art installation. Composed of a variety of found objects, including tennis balls, clocks, flags, a traffic light and photographs, it wouldn’t be out of place in a Museum of Modern Art. It is, in fact, the work – and home – of Saleh Sultan Salmeen Bakeet, whose barely distinguishable front door is embedded in the art.
3 Majlis on the square
Next door to Bakeet’s house is a small room furnished with floor cushions, a TV and various artefacts. It’s a meeting place for people who live in the area. They each pay a small fee for a key, and can use the room to drink tea, eat machboos and talk. If you fancy a cuppa and a few local insights, drop in on a Saturday when they settle in for the afternoon from around 1.30pm and would be happy to receive you.
**These were all taken from Time Out BahrainNext door to Bakeet’s house is a small room furnished with floor cushions, a TV and various artefacts. It’s a meeting place for people who live in the area. They each pay a small fee for a key, and can use the room to drink tea, eat machboos and talk. If you fancy a cuppa and a few local insights, drop in on a Saturday when they settle in for the afternoon from around 1.30pm and would be happy to receive you.
Another tip is to pick up the coupon book for Bahrain. For 30 BD (about $80 USD) you get a book full of coupons for everything from spa treatment to brunches. It sounds like a lot, but when brunch is 25 BD and you get about 10 free coupons in there, it is easily worth it. You can also get Time Out Bahrain Magazine which is full of stuff all over the island for you to get into. Check their website for deals as well. These are excellent ways to get people you work with or make a small connection with in passing to come out and have a coffee.
You can always tempt a few people to come to coffee or a brunch with a coupon.
I imagine it would go something like this:
You: Hey, I have this buy-one-get-one free coupon for Al Abraj. Would you like to get dinner?
Them: UNTIE ME!
You: Okay, cool. How does Thursday work for you? This week has been so hectic haha.
Them: PLEASE LET ME GO, I HAVE A FAMILY!
You: That is a great idea! We can certainly get coffee afterwards.
Them: Wait, did you say coupon?
You: I sure did. See you at 7?
Them: Oh, wow. Thank you. I am looking forward to it NOW PLEASE RELEASE ME YOU SCOUNDREL AND WHY ARE YOU DRESSED LIKE HELLO KITTY?!
And there you go. Instant connection.
I guess the point of my first two tips is to start small and give yourself a chance to make mistakes and try new things - even by accident.\
Listen, it takes about 3 months to really break in a pair of jeans, you can't expect yourself to hit the ground running all the time. It will take months to get yourself into a routine that resembles a normal life. Remember, you are a guest in a new country...with a new climate, new customs, and a new way of life.
So for round one of my settling-in tips, get to know your local area, and make sure when you come home you feel like you belong there.
Oh wait I almost forgot...
THEY DELIVER LIQUOR TO YOUR DAMN DOOR!?
No comments:
Post a Comment