Ritz Carlton Bahrain Aquathon October 11, 2013 in photos

So... here's how it went down:

preparations

the first swimmers arriving

and the winner is!

and for some relaxation afterwards, Natalie hung out at the pool bar all day...

ahhhh Bahrain

26.0275° N, 50.5500° E

I had a quest.  I accepted the challenge.  I took upon it as with any endeavor I take up: I researched. I did reconnaissance surveys. I used critical thinking.  I compared.  I fantasized. I tried to trick myself. But ultimately, I kept the same core values that I was looking for in the front of my mind. I persevered. I fatigued. I remained steadfast to my heart.  I prevailed...

Yes folks, I found my fitness center!  Of course, that's not keeping me from checking out all the other ones that I still have free 1-day trials for... Like this morning I will trot off to a close runner-up, Fitness First in the World Trade Center.  I would likely consider joining this one for a month just based on eye candy value alone...

Alas, eye candy was not one of my core considerations when mulling over gym memberships.  Of course, "it" tried to worm its way into my brain, and nearly succeeded- a few times... The Riviera Palace also fits this bill, as well as being a close-by gym with excellent facilities.  Yes, the eye candy strain is strong indeed. What can I say, I am woman, hear me roar!

But, in the end, Al Areen Palace & Spa won my heart over.  Mostly because of the indoor pool so I can swim laps.  By the way, it opens up out to the  outdoor pool through a short underwater passage... It is divine.  The grounds are divine.  The smell is divine.  The low lighting is divine.  The beauty of empty spaces and gorgeous architecture is divine.  The gyms are divine. The yoga room is divine! As well, I might be teaching there in the future so this is divine inspiration! The spa and Thlassos baths are all divine. 

But the sauna... super divine. The outside pool lounge is divine.  The attention to detail is divine.  So, I'm pretty happy.  The sparseness of the place sold me.  Lots of room and not a lot of people.  I know this lack of people seems contrary to my wanting 'eye candy', but when it comes down to it, I like spaciousness.  The other gyms, while flowing with energy, were crowded in a sense.  I love eye candy, but I also love uninterrupted workouts too- probably more so- so...

What also won out?  Well, the management.  Sonia and Tania and Dr. Isa, and everybody else that I met that I can't remember their names- well, they were awesome.  I was able to personalize my membership with what I wanted. 

TIMEOUT: Just want to add that I had my first sip of my beloved Anthony's Coffee straight from Maui, Hawaii. Ahhhh you all know how I feel about my first sips of coffee in the morning while blogging...

So... another highlight: it's very close to the university!  For 4-5 days a week (remember, Tuesdays are optional to go into work), I can just pop by pau hana ('after work' in Hawaiian).  Another plus: the road is empty from the university to the spa, meaning that I can take my bike (once I buy a bike) and bike from the uni to the spa and back and not fear getting run over by drivers (yes, I'm afraid that the driving here is really, REALLY bad- although not as bad as in Turkey or Tunisia, but I wasn't driving when I lived in those places). I can also RUN in wide open spaces!  Now that the weather is cooling down, I can hit the pavement and head out into the countryside (somehow I imagine the term 'countryside' to involve trees, but anyhow...)

So I'm feeling pretty happy about my decision.  Fitness First was definitely a top contender, but the traffic into Manama from A`ali worried me a little.  I mean, it is the same amount of time kilometer-wise, but going to Zallaq at least I'm driving the entire time and not waiting in traffic messes... My heart might falter just a little bit this morning when I go to Fitness First for the day- especially after seeing all the eye candy, but... I know what's up ultimately.  Eye candy abounds.  I mean, I have it all around me with the Bahrain Road Runners work-outs.  I have it on the weekends when I go out.  It's around. 

The only 'bummer' is that there is no beach.  The only beaches connected to fitness centers were at the Ritz Carlton (much too expensive for my blood), and the Sofitel in Zallaq (not as expensive, but smaller fitness center). Someone yesterday, though, told me about a beach... where was it again???  It's written down on a little piece of paper somewhere...

Now that THAT is taken care of... I can delve into it.  That was 3 weeks of researching.  This is good as it means that there are a lot of gyms here in Bahrain.  It also means that people are interested in taking care of their health. It also means more eye candy walking around so I can see it...

In other island news, it is Eid Al Adha this week.  There are no classes and 9 days off.  A little kerfuffle ultimately kept me in Bahrain, but honestly I haven't explored much of Bahrain so far so this is a blessing, and I do count my blessings! I'm heading to the Hawar Islands on Thursday for a big dance party on the beach so... there you have it- living it up while staying right here at home in my host country!

As well, tomorrow afternoon is the BRR swim/run practice at Al Hamala Beach Resort.  Tomorrow morning is hitting up the souk with Mr. "X"... And I also get to go to my... wait for it... gym!!! Can I just say that this palace is exquisite!!! I'm soooo happy to have found it.  I actually have Ms. Bethanie to originally thank for it as I saw her pictures when she stayed there with her then fiancee.  Then one of my colleagues at work said he worked out there and that it was great.

It's funny, as I type this stuff that is in my head, I realize that my narration style is so very different from what it was while living in Turkey... I guess I had to search for the meaning of things more so when I lived there.  Now, I LOVED my time spent in Turkey and my friends in Gaziantep really made it happen. I mean, let's face it, Gaziantep, although pretty downtown, was really just a mess of apartment buildings.  The highlights were the people, and historic downtown section.  You all know how I feel about Istanbul- it is the greatest city on Earth... You all know how I felt about Tunis as well- it was a city I affectionately term 'of elegant decay', meaning that it had seen its grandeur in its earlier days, but the remains of this grandeur could be felt, could be heard through the city walls, through the wallpaper peeling off the walls of my lovely apartment that I had downtown in Lafayette.  But Gaziantep, where I lived... well, it was basic.  My friends were everything there.  We MADE that place happen.  I was able to see beyond the sterile, ghost-like apartment building skeletons and thoroughly enjoy my time there. 

Back to my writing though, I notice that I had more of a sardonic wit while confined to Cell Block D in Gaziantep... There were a few reasons for this (wink wink), but let's just keep it at this and that I notice a distinct difference.  What happens on the outside is a definite reflection on the inside- we all know that...

I guess I can't gush enough about how this sweet island has caught my attention.  It is an unexpected surprise. As well, there seems such a connection to the Philippines and this really reminds me of Hawaii. 

Today is another reconnaissance day- spa trial, bookstores NOT attached to malls, a skate shop, Skate-Shack, Ken's Country Diner (which I already know and love), a possible new beach, thanks to new friend Dana, and my beloved Al Areen Palace/Spa.  I believe that there is another Scrabble tourney tonight as well!  Last night I won (and it was tough competition against the Fulbright Crew too).  Yea, life here is pretty amazing indeed.  Home is where the heart is, and my heart is currently located at:  26.0275° N, 50.5500° E...

Eid Al Adha Mubarak ya'll

rainy day blues- I miss those days...

After my first official 'beach day' here in Bahrain, I'm feeling a bit melancholy- I'm homesick for a Hawaiian rainstorm. I mean a heart-pounding rain squall where you feel it in your body so deep that it resonates throughout and leaves you in awe of how beautiful it sounds, and feels.

The type of downpour that draws you out of your habitat to experience it in full glory.  It almost brings tears to my eyes how much I miss this right now.  All those sugar shacks I lived in in all those gulches on the north shore of Maui... the feeling, the vibe, the soul of the island- it gets in you. It seems in your skin, into your cells and co-exists with you.  You are transmuted and transformed into this gelatinous being that feels so holistic.

My new home has its perks and the weather is gorgeous right now.  I feel that the next 5 months will be fantastic.  I'm already sleeping without air con AND a fan.

But my mind drifts back to my Islands... I'm drifting on a cloud right now over 5 corners and I see myself on my run down Haiku Road.  I can smell the wild grasses.  I can smell the farms.  I can smell the farm animals.  I can smell the fresh rain mixing with the pavement. I can smell that one divine eucalyptus grove right below 5 Corners.  That smell intoxicates me like the most delicious drug ever.

There are over 500 terms for 'rain' in Hawaii.  The ancient Polynesians had a name describing every type of rain.  It's so interesting- what your reality is and your surroundings, and the words you develop to describe that experience collectively as humanity.

I want to experience rainfall here in Bahrain.  I want to experience that psyche. I don't think I want to experience it here while driving though... Admittedly, drivers and driving is a horrible experience here.  Even though this is an island nation, the 'island vibe' does not exist where driving is concerned.  Everybody is in a hurry to get... somewhere I suppose.  I really try not to let things bug me when I live abroad, and I've avoided the entire 'road rage' experience in both Turkey and Tunisia due to not driving.

Here... I'm driving, and it is nerve-wracking.  Where is my big, lifted 1988 straight front end Toyota Truck when I need it.  I would feel safe in it right about now... Besides, what a hot car that was.

So, yea.  driving in the rain here would suck because people tailgate here. It's like a compulsion.  If you've ever driven with me, you know I'm Miss Slowpoke driver- mostly because my vehicles were always so archaic!

Back to driving... I've never seen so many accidents as well, or so many random car parts strewn across the highways.  I'm talking like entire front ends just barely off the lane...

Shall we delve into the round-abouts here?  Why yes, I think we should.  So, they are great, generally speaking, with moderate traffic.  Here the traffic is so heavy that they typically slow down the natural flow of traffic.  Some of the round-abouts have stop lights and these are fine and efficient.  Many, though, do not and it is chaos.  Of course, I'm not used to them either...

Let's get back to driving rain though.  It makes me happy, as opposed to the thought of driving in the rain here.  I recall so many evenings leaving Paia Town or coming from work and it's dark and I just passed Hookipa Beach Park and Maliko Gulch and suddenly... yep, driving rain pelting my windshield. Sometimes so hard and fast that my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.  It seemed that some nights I was all alone on the road and the only one to experience this.  I recall going up East Kuiaha Road sometimes and seeing gravel from the road coming down as I was going up.  Mud, debris, and waterfalls splashing from the sides of the gulches.  What a trip, those experiences.

So I'm making myself homesick right now. I want rain.  I want my truck. I want rainbows. Double rainbows.  It'll pass.  This yearning for Hawaii passes just like the rain squalls on the north shore...

Okay, gotta run.  Another friend residing in Saudi just made it across the border so we gotta hit up the city tonight

reflecting on back pain...

So here I am, in bed, sans coffee.  It's 10:45 am and it's Tuesday- Hump Day here in the Middle East.  Tuesday is normally not a teaching day anyway, but instead a work in office, or home office day.  I do have about 60 homework assignments to grade by the way... I should have 100, but you know how students can be... So, lack of turning in homework on time provides me a break is looking at the situation as the cup is half full... So I shall.

Now, I was up earlier.  I made my smoothie: today's healthful delight consisted of chia seeds, super blue-green algae, calcium powder from sea veggies, brazil nuts, organic shredded coconut, flax seeds, pomegranate juice, yogurt  and bananas. I must say that I make a damn good smoothie...

I posted pictures of this past weekends shenanigans.  If this is any indication to come of my time spent here in Bahrain, it's going to be a fantastic voyage!  The one downer is that I did manage to hit a soft spot while kayaking on Saturday morning and experience some back issues.  I haven't had back pain for over two years so... Anyway, I remember it all too well.  It's true what they say, "muscles have memory", especially damaged muscles...

It could have been worse honestly.  I still managed to work all week so far.  I will still manage to correct 60 homework assignments today.  I will still manage to work the next 2 days.  Why?  Well, first, the pain isn't enough to put me out. Second, I was raised by a father who taught me discipline. I was taught to take it.  To take whatever life gives me, and try to do it with as much grace as possible.  I was taught that if I wanted happiness, I would take it.  It doesn't just appear.  Now, dad didn't express these words to me, it was a silent coaching.  Something I didn't understand until years later when I already left the 'rents den and went out exploring into the world at the ripe age of 17. 

So this walk down memory lane reminds me of my father. Yes, I'm in some pain.  Yes I'm bummed that I can't run at this week's Bahrain Road Runner's event (but I'll still go and talk their ears off to find out where I can find; an acupuncturist, a masseuse, a chiropractor, etc). Yes, I'm bummed that I can't participate in this weekend's Ritz Carlton Aquathon (600 meter swim/6km road race), but I'll still go and bathe in the excitement of the participants and gleen off some of their energy (did that sound okay?) But, I will swim today at the pool at my apartment complex to loosen up my back.  I will swim tomorrow night with the BRR members that go to the Hamala Beach Resort. I will persevere.

Why, because I'm addicted to feeling well.  I'm addicted to challenging my body.  I'm addicted to see improvements in my body's recovery. I'm addicted to the adrenalin that I feel when I accomplish a physical task. It's interesting, I just read from a new blog that I started following. This person shared an article about, and endorsed, how any company should always value hiring an athlete (not a professional athlete).  Why? I believe that it is due to personal discipline.  Anybody, of course, can set personal goals for themselves, as well as professional goals.  People who are athletic tend to reach those personal goals, and create/obtain more. I think... Anyway, I believe it too.  And I have a story to express it.

I have an angel here in Bahrain. She lives amongst the stars. Agent Starlight, as I affectionately call her, noticed my suffering the past 2 days.  She offered to go to the eczane (pharmacy) to get some stuff for me.  She could see in my eyes that I was hurting, but was persevering.  She obviously noticed how difficult it was for me to be sitting down (standing up is no problem). and to get up after sitting down for a while. I told her that after work I'm just too exhausted to, first look for a pharmacy, and then to drive to it. So I just go home and rest and take some aspirin.  So she volunteered to go to the pharmacy yesterday evening and drop off some stuff to me afterwards.

I was so taken by her generosity. I mean, it is sometimes difficult to accept help. I knew I needed it though and had to suck it up.  I graciously accepted.  Now, perhaps anybody would do this- and I believe truly that many would, even with/without me asking for help.  Agent Starlight is an athlete.  She is an avid swimmer.  She knows her body needs to exercise.  She knows I know my body needs to exercise.  We both know we need to nurture our bodies.  She was willing to give up a swim session to help me nurture my body.

So this reminds me of the article I read from the blog.  It made me smile.  As well, living in a foreign country can sometimes be overwhelming.  Doing a simple task like going to the pharmacy can seem daunting at times. You can become weary maybe just doing a task that in your own country would require no extra effort.  Lieutenant L (LL) has been very gracious in this was as well.  LL was having a dinner party that I was to attend.  I was to cook some food as well.  On Sunday after work I came to LL's apartment holding the bag of couscous.  I said that I couldn't attend as my back was killing me.  LL was so cool & insisted that they would bring food- appetizers AND dinner- to my apartment and check in on me.  That LL did, and boy was I grateful.  You know, I had food I could have made (oatmeal, cereal, etc), but it felt great having a hot meal- chicken, prawns, veggie appetizers with dip, fresh garden salad, etc. 

So I'm feeling grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful peeps.  Since I stepped foot in Bahrain, I have felt really good- even with my achy back.  As I look back, I had this same kind of community in Turkey, and in Tunisia as well.  It is this sort of 'expat code' that you experience, as well as the locals that you mingle with. It makes me realize that home can be anywhere.  It's all about the community that you create for yourself.  I have no family here in Bahrain, but I got phamily here in Bahrain! I might not be able to run this week, but I can walk!  And I can certainly go to the A`ali walking track tonight and walk with all the walkers there and watch the runners and secretly envy (little bit) them while healing my body.

Now, to pull myself off of this bed and jump into (gently pull myself down into) the pool for some aqua therapy.  Oh man I'm fantasizing about going for a run. If I'm a really good girl, I think I can run next week in UAE/Oman...

purely picture post... Bahrain so far

Glamazons of the GCC. We've got Saudi Arabia, UAE & Bahrain represented here, via Tunisia, via Amerika

The UN-sponsored Bahrain Youth Peace Conference I attended in September

where is the man who drives this car??? FIND HIM

the university I work at

the MOI sponsored mini triathlon

Bahrain GeoCaching Club: Bahrain mangrove kayak adventure

nearly 1 month marks the spot- the 'sports' spot

Just back from the Aquathon this morning where I was cheering on newly made friends.  As well, yesterday afternoon was a MOI-sponsored mini triathlon. I've been thinking a lot about sports, health, fitness, attitude, approach to life, etc.  It all ties in.

As background to my thoughts I'll explain a little about my attitude towards health and fitness.  I've always been actively involved in my own physical, as well as mental and emotional health.  But the path to emotional and mental health, in my opinion where I am concerned,  is through physical well being.  Since an early age, I've been both running and practicing yoga.  I've always thought that the blend of these two activities are just perfect. If I could do more, I'd do a ballet workout, as well as become a strong swimmer.  That would be total balance I believe.

Of course, there are limitations to all this, namely work. Perhaps even location can be a limitation I've come to believe.  Maybe it is just a limitation of mind, but I will say that my last two years spent in SE Turkey had a limiting effect on my physical well being.  I could do my primary series (astanga) yoga at home with some ease as it takes nothing but a mat and some space, but I didn't a lot.  I stretched out, but my discipline waned for sure.

Sure I could have joined a gym- there were a few.  But they were segregated, and this wasn't something that I wanted to engage in.  I'm not sure exactly why, but I just didn't want to. 

With running, I was fortunate to live across the street from Gaziantep University's track/futbol field.  I lived in a place where running wasn't easy- in terms of no one else doing it.  There were parks that I could travel to if I wanted via public transportation (no car), but I don't like to have to work too hard at doing sport.  To get on the dolmus or light rail in running gear would draw attention.  Sure, I lived in a city, but it wasn't necessarily so progressive that I wouldn't stand out.  To be clear, this was more like a large village next to the Syrian border. Quaint, yet quiet. As well, as a single female living in a place where there weren't many expats, did I want to stand out?  Not really.  I can say that not many locals of the area were interested in running, or walking even, for fitness.


But the track solved everything.  I could jot across the street and run my heart out, and I did.  My friends were sometimes playing ultimate frisbee on the field as well.  If I was running in the evenings, the track team was usually practicing.  If on weekend mornings, the junior futbol clubs were gathering for their weekly scrimmages. I felt sort of like I fit in. I, typically, was the only female though so this still made me feel a bit shy I suppose.  The track was exposed to a major thoroughfare so there were always 'watchers' who looked perplexed.

Now that I am in Bahrain, and nearly a month to boot, I've found that health is a big agenda here in the Kingdom.  It's like I got to the island and hit the ground running.  I immediately joined the Bahrain Road Runners Club and found that locals and expats alike are running!  I found out that it is not a big deal.  I found out that I could just be myself and fit in.  Not that I need to feel a part of something, but just that other like-minded individuals, it's nice to find a group of peeps that share my enthusiasm.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I didn't have this outlet in SE Turkey.  Like anywhere, there is comfort in numbers. I think back to Tunisia and this also existed, but my stay there was so short before the revolution erupted and I had to leave that I didn't get a chance to delve into the Hash House Harriers local unit there for example.

Back to Bahrain though, now I think about how my fitness style is evolving in comparison to back home in Hawaii.  To set the tone of where this post is going, read this.  It is an article from my favorite website about health/fitness/food, etc.  Let me just say that the recipes are awesome.  I've made quite a few.  They are for diabetics,;they are for gluten-intolerant peeps; they are for health conscious peeps that  think about their consumption and make choices with their food patterns in terms of healthy alternatives...

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11028/how-getting-older-has-changed-the-way-i-exercise.html

So, I just read this article above after coming back from the Aquathon- I didn't compete in this as I'm not a strong swimmer, but I now realize (while laying on my couch) that this should not limit me.

Now, back to Hawaii... When back home this summer, I was joyous at the thought of going on long trail runs in Makawao, or wherever I happened to be. While I was visiting family, I invested, for the first time, in something on the verge of me thinking I was starting to become... competitive *gasp*  I mean, I've always been into exercise, but for me it was a solely internal thing.  I did it.  I felt great.  I loved the adrenalin. I didn't feel the need to compete in anything.  I just didn't have the desire.  I didn't want to dedicate the time specifically.  I had a lot else going on in my life- namely archaeology, and yoga.  Yoga, traditionally and will ALWAYS be in my mind, is not a competitive 'thing', you know? This is about quieting the mind in your own terms. Of course, every athlete can say this about their (competitive) discipline.  At any rate, this was my thought, and still is.  With running, I only competed in relays because that was fun- it was a group effort and I didn't think of it as 'competition.'

So... I have a new Timex GPS Run Trainer on my wrist and a heart rate monitor strapped to my chest.  I tried it out with trepidation.  What would the results yield?  When I hook up that watch to my Mac Book Pro, what would I see?  What rabbit hole would I fall through never to return?  Well, I was right!  It is so interesting to look at the statistics of my body! Amazing I thought!

Knowing that I was moving to Bahrain soon, I started logging in miles and data to upload.  I started reading about Bahrain, and difficulties I would encounter- in terms of weather.  From doing research on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I already found out that I would have no problem 'fitting in' in terms of sport because I saw so many websites proving that health is on peeps minds over here. It is not an anomaly. I will say though that from what I've seen so far, it is expats and local men involved in sport competitions here.  I do not see many local woman, comparatively, but it does exist. As another side note here, the walking track that I run on almost nightly (it's made of... brick) is packed full of women in their national outfits, as well as men power-walking.

In terms of all the fast-food chains that I see here, this is a good sign.  How peeps don't take note of what fast-food chains have done to the average American, I just don't understand.  I don't know for sure, but I would think that things like heart-disease and adult onset diabetes, etc are on the rise here.  I see all body types out power-walking while on my runs.  It is encouraging.

Anyway, back to my main storyline here... Back in Hawaii I was running up to 6 miles 4x a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. I decided that I wanted to see the difference between Hawaii and Bahrain- in terms of how hard I am working my heart most especially.  Well, what a humbling experience.  The first two weeks here (of course with jet-lag considered), I could only run 3k at a time. The wall of heat I encountered each time was just too intense for me. For 2 weeks, I didn't even put on my heart rate monitor. Then I finally did it.  I felt like I was starting from scratch all over again.

Upsetting in a way, but also intrigued because I knew I wanted to get back to where I was when I was in Hawaii.  I'm slowly getting there now, but I've realized something else- perhaps even more powerful.  Something that I never thought about before- competition... What I realize about the athletic clubs here is that they provide comfort. And with comfort, I feel I want to be a part of it- the inner sanctum.

Perhaps it's because I'm an expat.  This isn't 'my' place.  When I find time outside of work, I want to spend it with people. I'm here to explore.  I'm here to work. I want to feel a part of the community- through many channels.  Sports is a big channel here!  I understand more now I suppose. I feel comfortable here. In the past 2 days especially at these events, I have met some of the most amazing human beings.  One is stationed here in the Navy.  SHE kicked ass in yesterday's triathlon, as well as this morning's Aquathon.  I met a great couple from South America/Mexcio. I supported Lynette (my downstairs neighbor, the Fulbright Scholar); I recognized the Greek guy from both races; peeps from BRR I recognized from our weekly runs in Riffa. It feels good.  It even felt good to get kicked out of the pool at Sofitel last night because we weren't guests...

So, as I read the above article, I realized something about myself.  This article represents a lot of who I was in the past as a sportswoman.  I wasn't into competition.  I was not 'tough'. I had perseverance, but I didn't feel the need to display it, I guess.  A lot of my views revolved around my yoga practice, and I just carried that over into the rest of my fitness regime.

To sum up, that was then, this is now. I'm ready to dive in!  I'm signing up for the 5K, 10K and 15K next month.  I'm already on for the half marathon in January. And, next weekend at the Ritz I'm going to do the running portion of their event (another new friend, Dana, is preggers so she can only do the swim portion so we'll tag-team it).

Another side note, many of the sheikhs here are avid sportsmen.  They are also involved in local organizations concerning health and fitness and youth, etc.  They help organize these events. They sponsor these events. They are positive role models in a society that is changing due to western influences. This is nothing new with many societies of course.  Bahrain has a legacy of colonialism with England, as well as further back in history to Persia, Greece, etc.

Part of what I'm here for with this Fellowship from Georgetown is to get involved with the community.  I want to get involved where it matters.  For me, this is the youth and sports and peace.  As a rep. for USA a few weeks back at the UN-sponsored Youth Peace Conference, I started to get ideas- ideas of what I can do to help make a difference.  From that conference I walked away with some confidence that I can do my part, and I can do my part well.  I've sat back and absorbed a bit, and now is the time to come up with an idea that turns into a plan that turns into a working reality.

We are organic beings. We live in an organic, ever-changing society- even if only detectable on a microscopic level.  I've already witnessed my own growth within the time-span of 1 single month...that's lightning fast. I'm learning so much from this tiny island nation. I thirst for knowledge- always...

I'm ready to push myself- in many different ways.  After all, life- it's a long, strange trip, IF you're lucky :)

week 3 week 3 week 3 week 3...

Some notes from yesterday morning downtown:

Friday morning in downtown Manama at Cafe Lilou waiting for some friends to arrive for our "Ladies who Brunch" brunch where we get to munch yummy food, yet prolly not drink adult libations... I'm not sure yet actually.  This is our second brunch session and I'm really enjoying getting out and about around the city and it's various nooks and crannies.
There is a lot to explore on Bahrain actually. Is such a small island, yet so many little neighborhoods and villages to explore. My trusty Sophie (GPS) gets me everywhere I need to go, yet there is so much construction around downtown that sometimes Sophie steers me awry... I went over a bridge this morning to another island and it was 7 km. before I could turn round...
This afternoon I plan on doing a reconnaissance survey to all the potential gyms/clubs I want to join.  I received some unexpected funds from my Fellowship for " settling in costs" and I plan to used them appropriately... Of course, my initial concern is to have. 2-in-1 gym + beach membership. I've noticed in my short time here (3 weeks last night!) that beaches are few and far between... I have a total of 3 choices for my 2-in-1 scheme to pan out, and 2 are downtown Manama- which is about 10 km from my apartment which, of course isn't far for someone from Hawaii to drive for some quality entertainment... Additionally, petrol is so cheap here. It takes about 4BD (Bahraini Dinar) to fill my tank- which is about 10 USD.

Saturday morning in bed.
Yesterday was busy.  I need my robot to bring me a cuppa joe right now. Hung with the Fulbright Crew last night.  Now that we're turning into Mall Rats, we went to the mall... Bahrain City Center to be exact. We went with the intentions of going bowling and catching a movie.  Now, all the other Mall Rats were out in force last night.  Driving there was madness.  Loads of cars with Saudi tags. We finally arrived and went to get our movie tickets so we could cruise around for a few hours first. The line was insanely long so... we aborted that mission to go eat.  We headed to a place called "Fuddruckers" which is, apparently, huge in the US... I've never heard of it, but they got some good burgers going on there for sure.

After we were all experiencing food paralysis, we thought about bowling to relieve some of the heaviness weighing us down.  It was about 10:30 and the place was packed so we had to abort this idea as well.  We dutifully headed to the air hockey station where we got our aggressions out.  Not long after we started though, it was all over.  Rather anticlimactic with game over so soon (I did make high scorer list though :), we thought about checking on the movie situation again.

Off we trotted back to the theatre and got some midnite tickets for "Runner Runner". With an hour to kill we agreed on heading to the sports store as we are all endorphin junkies (not sure about the newest Fulbrighter to debut in-country though as she was likely headed for jet-lag syndrome having just landed in country the previous evening).  After 45 minutes of cruising around in the store as if we had it all to ourselves, I walked out with:

a yoga mat
a weighted medicine ball
a swimming cap

We did have a ball in the store and L-netta even got on the inversion machine  (mind you this is at 11:45 pm and after eating HUGE food at Fuddruckers)... We trotted out and to the theatre to get our Ben Affleck/ J. Timberlake action par-tay on. Of course it's freezing in the movie theatre and I was prepared, but the newest addition to the crew wasn't ready for it. As well, her eyeballs were starting to roll to the back of her head as the jetlag was settling in to invade her body for a few days.  We got through it just fine, and the movie was pretty entertaining.  The drive home went much quicker and it was right about 3 AM that we arrived back at the ranch.

So, another great week went down last week.  No complaints here.  The weather is cooling down.  The air conditioner is getting ready to go on holiday... as well as myself actually.

Eid holidays are coming up.  This means a week of travel.  I'm thinking Oman. I'm thinking camping. I'm thinking mountain hikes. I'm thinking gorgeous beach sunsets.  I'm thinking medina wandering. I'm thinking FABRIC.  You all know how I love me some luxurious fabric...

On the subject of fabric, I hear the tailors here are awesome as well.  Back in Gaziantep, Settar took Solo_ojo and myself to an awesome tailor downtown by the kale.  Terzi Mehmet!  Mehmet made me quite a few things: pants, skirts, jackets... There is nothing more thrilling, when on a shop/hunt expedition, than to find a tailor and make appointments for fittings during each step of the process. The drinking of Turkish coffee or tea, the chit-chat, the important details that you don't know are being understood because your tailor can't speak English, and you don't speak Turkish very well... Yes, it is the THRILL of the hunt indeed.  Every trip to the tailor is like an unraveling of a unique present to yourself.

So in remembering this thrill, I bought a cool pair of Thai Silk palazzo pants on Maui before I left and I absolutely love them for over here.  Long, wide-leg, light-weight fabric that breathes, and the movement the fabric produces when I walk... well I just like the entire package.  So, on my trip into the medina, or souk here, I'm going to check out some fabric shops and tailors.

Well, my robot never showed up this morning. Must be some technical difficulties... so I got my arse outta bed and made my own cuppa joe.  It's damn good.

Today is day 2 of finding a gym/spa/club.  Yesterday didn't pan out too well.  The thing is, I want the entire package: beach/lap pool/gym/cafe/steam room, etc.  Proximity is important as well.  We'll see what today brings.  I might try to run with the Bahrain Hash House Harriers this evening. They are doing a run in Juffair.  I can't imagine running there as it seems so congested.  I know I don't feel like drinking a beer afterwards as I have loads of lesson planning to do so... might not happen...

That's all folks. I've got nothing.  Typing this even bored me, but I'll still post it just to make you all read through the normal-ness that I experienced this week in Bahrain! 

"X" marks the spot

Last night was "X". I didn't even know it was coming earlier in the day. After classes let out (Thursday is my heavy day with 3 classes), I finished up some other things and then headed out and back to base camp (how Sophie (my GPS) finds my dwelling).  I only had about an hour to chill before heading out on our weekly Riffa run with the Bahraini Road Runners Club.  I made a smoothie (yes I brought Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, Super Blue-Green Algae, etc from Hawai`i with me) thinking that 1.5 hours was enough time to digest...

Well not necessarily.  Nothing major, but I could feel it moving through my system while running.  I'm still getting used to running in the heat so... At any rate, it was a good run.  Feels so satisfying after crossing the finish line and receiving my card and hanging out afterwards chatting with everybody soaking wet.  As we finished the run, the sun was setting into the horizon in a magnificent display. Something about that moment stopped me and made me feel really comfortable in my new environment. Eventually we all scatter and so off our trio of musketeers went (Lynette and John, the Fulbrighters, were with me). Sophie was acting up and brought us through a maze of roads, which was highly amusing.  Upon reaching base camp, I realized that I had Sophie programmed to 'shortest route' instead of 'fastest route', or vice versa...

Anyway, at home I just lazed about and though I would eventually get motivated to do some lesson planning and get it out of the way for the weekend.  Shower, dinner and ready to go?  Nope.  Couch and air con... Yep I was headed for my "crash and burn" night.  Now I remember these fondly back on Maui.  They happened every so often.  I always enjoy them actually.  My body just saying, chill the f*ck out. I passed out around 9:30 pm on the couch and woke up at 10:45 and trotted off to bed.  9.5 hours later here I am, in bed with my chilled coffee, feeling relaxed and gooey. Damn that was a quality sleep.  Feeling like a million Bahraini Dinar now (which would be close to 3 mil USD)!

Now, there was a few things I didn't take care of last night though... like going to the phone store and getting my phone credits... Ugh.  That must happen later this morning as I've friends in town from other kingdoms nearby.  

This morning marks week 2 for me here in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  So far so great.  I've managed to get it all together and make a home that already feels homey. I have a bedroom that is cave-like and never sees the light of day- which I so adore.  Makes me feel like I'm back in the jungles of Haiku. I also got all my paperwork finalized- meaning my car got leased! Yep I have wheels.  This is a great, unexpected, part of the Fellowship details I must have overlooked earlier! Anyway, it feels great to be mobile.  I haven't had a car for the past 3 years in Turkey and Tunisia so this is quite liberating.

The 3 Musketeers attended a cool function at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this week. We met up with all the local Fulbrighters that just came back from their missions in America, etc. It was amazing to talk to so many bright young minds ready to conquer the world with their smart ideas.  I'll be working with some in the future. So, it was a great place to meet-up, connect and exchange ideas and think about the future.  I had quite a few conversations about the historical and archaeological heritage of Bahrain, known as the ancient "Dilmun" and "Tylos", with some scholars and artists there.  I realized from conversation that I really did do some in depth research about Bahrain so was pleasantly surprised that I had contributions to add to the conversation.You know I love me some history talk- especially ancient history! There is also a budding art movement here as well I found out.  All in all, a very successful evening indeed.

As well, I've another swank function coming up this week too!  I like that my social calendar is filling up.  Makes me feel more settled into this place. I actually had to turn down an invite to go hiking this morning- due to my 'crash and burn' episode, which I am enjoying immensely.

Another highlight of this past week was finding out that there are no classes on Tuesdays so we can choose to come into work and work, or work from home- which is difficult I am finding out...

That about wraps up this past week for me.   This weekend is full of visiting with friends, finishing up the very last bit of residency paperwork, and attend the Youth Peace Conference.  This means little time for lesson planning except for the late nights... Speaking of which, it was announced that I became coordinator for the class I am teaching, so... a full plate this semester indeed. Good thing I had my "crash and burn" episode last night because now I'm off and running again...

learning the layout of the land...

Saturday morning here in my desert kingdom.  This is, of course, our Sunday as it works out in the Gulf Coast Countries (GCC). I'm in bed drinking my coffee and pondering my first week of work. 

Now, a short note.  It is already quite hot.  I'm not sure of the temperature right now, but surely it has already hit 90º and it is 8:30 am. It's much too late for me to go for a run, but not for a swim, so that is the idea after I pump out this episode… heh heh.  Not that my life here dictates any drama to be had, but…

And a short note about the coffee trip here.  I'm becoming accustomed to making my coffee the night before and refrigerating it so it is cold when I step out the door to go to work.  This is a new endeavor, but due to the extreme weather, I find this working for me.  Today, on the other hand, I am having my coffee piping hot- just like old times…

Because I am still without a car (I need to have my CPR card 1st- this is like a SSN), my work cannot lease a car for me), I either ride into work with the Fulbrighter that lives downstairs, or my driver picks me up.  Now, my driver never seems to make it on time exactly, and then we go downtown into Manama to pick up 2 other professors temporarily staying at a hotel while they settle in.  So my preferred method of transport is to go w/Lynette.

My work week went by fast.  I/we all finally received our class schedules late Thursday afternoon- right before the weekend. We all attended a conference at the Gulf Hotel downtown Manama Thursday afternoon so no one was at the university to print out schedules, etc.  I imagine that Sunday morning at the various printing rooms at the uni are going to be chaos!  Anyway, while Lynette and myself were walking into the conference area of the hotel, we walked past the Sherlock Holmes Pub and Restaurant… Now, I've heard great things from a few dodgy contacts (I mean that lovingly of course, and I am talking about all you Kahoolawe gentlemen that I've worked with in my past life as an archaeologist), so I feel like I hit the jackpot with this discovery.

But I digress… work was pretty hectic this past week- as it would be for anyone at a new job in a new country.  Miss Sameera, Mr. Majhmoud and Nasr especially have been lifesavers. The week was full of various workshops and missing various workshops because I needed help from professors that led various workshops that I was not able to attend earlier due to attending other various workshops… Phew… But when it was all said and done, I think I pretty well navigated around the place and figured things out to a sophomoric degree.  My office overlooks some greenery! The air conditioning is freezing- apparently a problem throughout the uni, but if I keep my door open, it seems to be okay.  There has been some talk about obtaining space heaters- which is amusing considering we live in a hot box!!! Alas… life in my desert kingdom.  I think I am warming up to it rather quickly honestly.

Yesterday my friend Lynn showed Lynette and myself around Manama City.  He had his big, bad jeep (that was currently sparkling clean- unlike after our escapades last weekend that left a big, bad mud puddle). We went to the fish market, the vegetable market, etc.  What a delightful sight to see!  It reminded me of my time spent in Tunis at the market downtown. We loaded up with fruit and vegetables and then headed into… City Center Mall.  Now, this is a mega mallopolis if you will.  We were there the previous evening to catch a movie- 2 Guns, with Mr. Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg which, BTW, was pretty entertaining.  I didn't get to see the true 'girth' of the mall that evening though. 

So, my main mission was to obtain a GPS unit so I can navigate my way around Bahrain fairly effectively (actually all the GCC and Levant countries as that is the maps application that came with the unit). After much research (both beforehand and inside the store), I made my final decision.  It was exciting.  I've never needed a GPS unit to get around before… Apparently I have 3 British English speaking voices to choose from. I am hoping one will sound like a Mr. Jeeves.  Anyway, with constant traffic and road blocks, etc and no-no areas, I know that I will need it, so that is that. I walked out of the store with a blender as well so after this posting I will move on from coffee to a smoothie before breakfast…

COFFEE BREAK

In other mildly interesting events of the week, I completed my first 'race' with the Bahrain Road Runners Club!  It was like running into a furnace, but I completed it and it was a great time.  The BRR is a great group of people who dedicate their time to this endeavor and made me feel really welcomed. Hisham will have my official 'card' ready for me next week- which I can use for discounts at the Bahrain Organic Foods Cafe/Store in Al Seef Mall.  This will be a big help as the products there are fairly expensive- yet they are there which is a blessing! It isn't exactly Mana Foods, but honestly it is pretty damn close.  Instead of hippies, there are expats and elegant women gliding around there in their abayas and sunglasses perched perfectly atop their hijabs.  So I feel kinda at home is the point of this… *wink*

My nesting at home has been fun as well.  The apartment is so big that I have designated areas that are actually designated, separate areas.  Lynn mentioned that the apartment complex reminded him of an Italian villa of sorts- which it kinda does- all whitewashed with loads of colonnades and arched way angles.  The big, glistening swimming pool is always eerily quiet- except when I'm there trying to learn to develop a decent stroke… Unfortunately I will not make it in time for the Aquathon coming up next month…

One thing about the apartment- everything is there and it does what it is supposed to do.  I set up my gas finally, with the help of Mohadeen- the apartment guy.  The (2) large bottles of gas were already outside on my back porch and voila! BAM. Poof my work is done.  As well with the washer in the kitchen.  I fooled around with switches for about 5 minutes after it didn't automatically turn on, and BAM! All lights are green so GO!

The only thing that isn't there, which is amusing, is that there are no plugs in the bathrooms… yes, that is right- I have TWO bathrooms… or hammams as they call them there.  Funny story there.  Hammams, where I've been living the past 3 years) are places to go where you have steam baths of varying degrees. Usually there is a HOT room, a warm room, and a cooling room.  Loads of running water and a central HOT stone where you can get massaged, or just relax, etc.  So, I asked a female coworker where the hammams were 'here' (meaning in Bahrain), and she looked perplexed.  After a few strange exchanges, she finally laughed and said that 'hammam' is the word for bathroom (as in toilet).  So she must have been thinking that I haven't gone to the bathroom for a few days!!!

Today a coworker is taking us out to lunch in an area of the city called Sahr (?) I believe.  The only other thing on my agenda is to just lesson plan the day away.  I pumped out 2 Power Points yesterday- or updated them from what I had been using for the past 2 years in Turkey. 

I think that this about wraps up this communique for the week here in my desert kingdom which, legend has it, could be the locale of the biblical Garden of Eden.  More on that later so I will leave you with that cliffhanger (note to self: conduct more in-depth research on that last claim so I can discuss it properly next time).

smoothie time...

Welcome to Bahrain!! Desert communique #1

Saturday morning,

I think I'm pretty predictable in terms of my blog posts.  Even though the time zone keeps changing for me, I am pretty much a creature of habit so- onward. I am sitting on the couch drinking my french press coffee!!! Yes, I'm back into action with the new french press that I bought in Marquette Michigan this summer during my Amerika summer 2013 Odyssey.  It makes me happy...

The new addition to this equation is that I have never had to write a blog while under the intoxication of... air conditioning.  Even in SE Turkey in the heat of summer I didn't NEED air con... So, this will take some getting used to. More on that later. Now let me recap my adventures yesterday.

This is my 2nd morning in Bahrain.  Yesterday Lynette, the Fulbright scholar, and I  went shopping!  What a better thing to do when you move to a foreign place than nest, and buy things to make your nesting more comfortable! She has already been here a week so has things down.  We hopped in her car and voom voom off we went to Lulu Hipermarket or something like that.

I have to say right off the bat that things are cheap here- at least when comparing to things in Turkey... Gasoline, groceries, alcohol, health foods, etc.  As well, people speak English here, and quite well. No one is staring at me like I am 'out of place.' It is quite typical a scene here for the Gulf peeps to see foreigners.

I had made plans previously yesterday morning to spend the afternoon with another friend, Lynn.  So as Lynette and I pulled up into the parking lot at the apartment after a successful shopping endeavor, Lynn was pulling up in his rig- a totally tricked out 4x4 jeep just made for this terrain.  For the next 5 hours we cruised the island- many times off road.  I'm talking off off-road... What a hoot.  He is a big time geo-cache fanatic (listen up Katie-girl!!!) so we stopped off for some sign-ins, as well as setting up a new cache along some beach.

NOTE: just re-upped my coffee!!! Oh how I adore this routine. Of course, I should have taken advantage of my jetlag and went running when I was up at 6 am, but I didn't... Alas... I even had an offer to go running today with the Bahrain Roadrunners Club, but I just don't think I'm ready to deal with it on day 2 in the desert.

But I digress... So, we nearly circumnavigated all of Manama Island yesterday. BTW, Bahrain is made up of approximately 33 islands with Manama Island being the largest, as well as where the capital, Manama, is located.  We hit up local fishing villages, went to the southern tip where this huge resort-style housing project is that is made up of a cluster of man-made island luxury villas. We went to/through the interior sand pile. We saw this famous "Tree of Life" which is interesting because in Hawaii we call this a Kiawe Tree and we generally don't like them- mostly because of the nasty thorns on them.  These here don't have thorns.  But it is so called the Tree of Life because it is in the middle of the desert with no other plant life to really speak about.  Now, science tells us that Kiawe trees (also where Mesquite wood comes from and makes for a roaring hot BBQ) have root systems that dig deep.  So, to me, the mystery isn't very mysterious.  But at the very least, it is a tourist attraction in its own right. This certainly made me smile though.

We also went to a few beaches.  You all know me- my heart was going 'pitter-patter pitter-patter' and then I saw the beaches.  Not exactly what I'm used to, but it was thrilling to be hanging at the Arabian Gulf. 

We went to some area where I can't remember the name of the city (selective amnesia) and it was interesting to say the least.  Very colorful scenes I took in. Lynn was an awesome tour guide and I have to say, I was laid out the red carpet treatment. My kinda red carpet- the offbeat kind. 

When I get deposited back to my apartment, which is quite cute BTW, I was already feeling the jet lag start to seep in.  I didn't think I was really going to get hit up with it, but... It could just be that I was tired and dehydrated... At one point we got out of the jeep (he has this remote control that turns the jeep on as we're walking back to get the air con going before entering- tricky), and I was just a ball of sweat.  We were looking for a micro (Geo)cache that was no longer there. So we put up another one.  All in all, I think we hit up 4 geocaches yesterday.  Okay, I know I am moving all around here with this written commentary... So just to keep up with this labyrinth of madness that is my mind, I'll digress even more...

I arrived here on Thursday night at about 8pm.  The university had their man pick me up, get me through customs effortlessly- BAM , set me up with a sim card- BAM, and outta there we were.  Ali was awesome.  As we drove around, we had already solved the world's problems.  He dropped me off at my apartment, that was already prepped with food, bedding, and air con on full blast- BAM.
I mean, the entire thing was first class.  I didn't exactly have this experience at my last few places. I mean, they tried, but the first few days were rough.  So this experience already had me in awe. (I have to say though that my Turkish Buddy in Gaziantep, Mihrican, was totally awesome in helping me move myself around when I first arrived there.)

About an hour later, as I was happily unpacking, Lynette knocked on my door (I've already introduced you guys to her).  It felt so normal- already having someone visit me. We ended up going for a late night walk (it was already 11pm) at the nearby park with a running track/work-out area. 1 lap is 1 km so we went through a few rounds. What I noticed first off was that there were a few other females out as well walking/working out.  One girl was walking alone in full abaya/hijab and looked totally at ease. Another girl was sitting on the ground using a bench to do sit-ups.  I was amazed.  At the other end was a few groups of guys sitting on the benches and talking.  A couple guys also started to run on the track.  Anyway, it was a relief to see that this is a typical thing to do and there is no need to feel out of place. Afterwards, I started nesting again and was up until about 4:30 am... I knew I was in trouble when I (faintly) heard the 4am call to prayer.  It was time to have my first sleep.  Incidentally, the bed is HUGE.  It is prolly a California King size mattress.  I mean, you get lost sleeping.  I can prolly roll over 3x and still not fall off the bed... This made me laugh when I saw it as in Gaziantep we were provided with twin-size beds... Haha.  This point does not go unnoticed...

So last night after a full day of adventures- both shopping and sightseeing- I was starting to get tired.  Here it starts getting dark around 6pm.  I think it is due to the haze.  I'm not sure though.  I'll research it.  Lynette and I were going to grab some chow, but I pooped out.  I was out by 9pm, and then up at 3:30 am... At least I didn't get outta bed until 6:30 am... It's now 7:30 am Saturday morning- our Sunday.  I start work tomorrow... I don't believe classes start until the 25th or so though.

Speaking of which, work, I'm quite happy to be getting back to it.  This is the first time I've taken full advantage of 3 full months off work.  Gosh it feels great.  I mean, summer was AWESOME this year.  I traveled all around Turkey first, then flew back to Hawaii and went island-hopping all summer, went on a cross-country Amerika semi-truck odyssey.  Visited family in the UP and went out sightseeing with them.  Hit up the east coast and DC, and then some rest time back on Maui again. 

Now it's time to get down to work, but first there is this last day of freedom!  Lynette and I are going to go out and explore the island today.  Not sure what that entails, but I'm hoping to go to one of my new co-worker's garage and pick up stuff that the last Fellow left for me (I love me some swag!) as well as head to the Organic Health Food Cafe/store by the... Seef Mall I believe.  Those people have been so great with their Facebook page.  This entire 3 months I have FB'd them questions about products that they carry, etc.  I definitely want to meet them because... just because!

I should explain about my apartment a bit.  First, it's huge.  It's a 2 BD/2 BA with a huge living room, dining room table (with a hutch) and separate office area.  The kitchen is fully equipped and there is air con in every room but the bathrooms.  Fans are everywhere (duh), and I have both a front and back lanai ('porch' in Hawaiian).  I have a washer in the kitchen! There is enough room to have a little garden (I brought seeds) and meditation area.  The outside views are defined by white-washed buildings with stairs going up to rooftop patios.  I haven't seen any neighbors yet, but I'm thinking that is due to the weather. There is apparently a large pool here at the complex, but I have yet to explore the area.  Today's wishlist is just to find Mr. Raj and have him hook up my gas so I can start cooking, as well as, as I previously explained, go to a co-worker's garage and pick up house/work items that the previous Fellow left. 

The weather has changed from yesterday to today, I think.  This am there are clouds and it is windy.  Does this mean that a dust storm is nearing?  Eek! Okay, pictures to follow.  I'm too lazy to get it all hooked up/downloaded, etc.  As it is, I'm scarfing my neighbor's wifi until I get mine set up. Incidentally, that is why this communique is coming from my living room couch and not my bed- the wifi doesn't reach in there!

over and out,
HollyMissBerry

I must add, again, that this is not spell-checked.  It is these very 'imperfections' that make this commentary all the more rich...

Da Kine Red Wine up here in cowboy country

So I'm in one of those moods. I'll lay it out for you: last day in Amerika. Red wine, Hot Fuzz video (no it's not porn), and da kine, beautiful evening. I was at the beach today, with all others celebrating a lack of labor today. I was laboring away at finishing my book. With only 2 chapters left, it has no space for my limited space (3 70lb suitcases... ahem).

I believe I mentioned it  in my last post.  Well, I was just going to skip it due to lack of motivation mostly, but I just read a 'tweet' about Genghis Khan:
"Genghis Khan exempted the poor from taxes, encouraged literacy and established free religion, which is why many joined his empire"  tweeted by (@UberFacts)

I mention this because the book I just finished reading, Indian Givers: How Native Americans Transformed the World,  by Jack Weatherford was so interesting that I checked out what else the author had written. Of the half dozen or so, two stuck out:

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
and
The Secret History of the Mongol Queens

The book I read is listed as 'History: Social Science, Literary Criticism- Native American.' I really, really like this genre. As well, Dr. Weatherford is the DeWitt Wallace Chair of Anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, as well as a position in a Mongolian uni. I don't know about you guys, but a vague memory from school reminds me that I learned that he was a sort of heathen savage...

As for the Mongol queens, who doesn't love a dramatic storyline following the women who walk with great leaders. Sounds like lots of sex, betrayal, hamams, frolicking and folly. I can roll with that as well. I wanna know why Genghis Khan said, "Let us reward our female offspring."

But back to my book, there are a few highlights that I want to make note of.  I also wanted to write a blog post tonight so I'm killing 2 birds with 1 stone. Bear with me, or not...

*Weatherford mentions "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" in his book.  I loved that book.  I gave it to L-Fezz. She loved that book.  I need to check and see if Mr. Perkins has written something recent.  

*Clio was the muse of history.  She was the daughter of Zeus, or sometimes Uranus, & Mnemosyne- where we get 'mnemonic' from if my memory serves me correct...So as the story goes, Zeus slept with her for 9 consecutive days and they had 9 'muses'. As I like to think of myself as a history buff, I like this.  Somehow I will weave 'Clio' into my fabric and come up with something delicious.

*Now, Native Americans were the true pathfinders of America as far as I'm concerned.  This book looks at a range of ways that this has played out in American, and sometimes European history. From silver and capitalism (the mines of Potosi) to plant food/medicine to architecture and urban planning, this book has it all.  Each chapter is dedicated to another endeavor that helped to make America great (that was then, this is now..), and of course, there is hardly a mention of them in any of the legacies.

I am highly suggesting this book. It reads quite nicely.  Not academic in that sense that it puts one to sleep. It's not historical fiction (another genre that I deeply enjoy), and it's not fluff. It's about how so much of what we see every day in America has a lasting legacy going back to the original inhabitants of the Americas.

I bought the book up in Sault Ste. Marie on the Michigan/Canadian border, but I'm sure it's everywhere. I know that I saw both the Genghis & Mongol queens books at bookstores near the front displayed at the airport so they must be rather new I'm thinking- I could be wrong on that. At any rate, I have $200 in iTunes giftcards (Thanks Georgetown Apple Store) so... if I feel like I want an electronic book (which I don't), I would be inclined to purchase it this way. But, alas, I like the texture of an old-fashion book.  I love turning the pages, writing notes and putting weird postcards to mark my page.  I suppose almost all this could be accomplished with an electronic reader, but... but... but...

So it seems that Hot Fuzz has been playing and I have no idea what is happening in the film.  It's time to put the electronics down and pay attention. Be kind, rewind...