Bahrain Souq Outing

While we were in Bahrain, we saw a little bit of everything. Bahrain is known to be more liberal than its surrounding neighbors - therefore I wasn't required to wear a burqa. I made sure my shoulders were covered and always wore long pants, but I was able to wear short sleeves which I was very thankful for in that sweltering heat!

We stayed in a hotel off of the base which I loved. It was so fascinating to see everything from full burqas to women who looked like they were going out for a night on the town in Vegas; or traditional Muslim families to Navy Seals... and everything in between... all in the lobby together. I'll never forget the feeling I had as a woman passed by me and cut her eyes towards me... She stared a heavy stare and never took her eyes off me until she was out of sight... it stood out more than normal because her eyes were the only thing I could see of her!!! I wonder what she was thinking... I think...

Hussain (left) and Sidney (right) took great care of us the entire time we were in Bahrain. Hussain is from Bahrain so his knowledge was priceless! They both work for MWR and know the ins and outs of both the base and the city. They also went with us to Djibouti and on the Nassau to help with sound, logistics, transporting equipment, and overall rocking. :)


Hussain took us out to the Souq (the downtown marketplace) one morning in Bahrain. IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!! And HOT!!!! Its streets and streets of shops and vendors. Just driving around Bahrain was cool to me, so getting to experience even more of it first hand was incredible. The city itself is beautiful and very modern. It was crazy how many American restaurants were there - I mean you pass this huge gorgeous mosque and then there's a 24 hour KFC down the street. Or a TGI Fridays, or even a Bennigans (which I don't even see many of around the US!)


Ok... guess I'll have to continue tomorrow... pic uploading is no longer cooperating and that's the best part!

Peace. Love. and Covered Fiddles.
~natalie