Today was the first day we had a female guide. She is also a native of Bahrain and knew the culture and country well.
Bahrain means two waters because they have both sweet water and salt water. We visited Bahrain on Friday, which is the Muslim holy day. The population in Bahrain is 783,360, with 400,000 of those Bahrains. There are many Americans in Bahrain because of the naval base located here. Bahrain is an island of 711 sq kilometers. Arabic is the official language, and English, French and Spanish are also spoken.
Women have much greater freedom in Bahrain than in Saudi Arabia. Many Saudis come to Bahrain across the King Fahad Causeway, especially females. In Bahrain they can drink and drive and go to beaches, but when they return to Saudi Arabia, they cannot drive or drink and have far less freedom. Our guide goes to private beaches in a bikini, but emphasized she would never want to be seen there or in a bar by her brother or uncle.
The King Fahad Causeway links the Bahrain island with Saudi Arabia. It is an amazing highway with an impressive rest area and checkpoint half way between Bahrain and Saudi. We rode a very cramped elevator to the top viewing deck and were able to see back to Bahrain and to Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain natives take care of their guests for 3 days, providing everything for them. Kent experienced some of that when he asked the guide to exchange some money for him, and she gave him the money and refused to accept anything back. After 3 days of being guests, one then is expected to take care of themselves.
Bahrain was the first country in the gulf to find oil. They first discovered oil in 1932. They anticipate there is 25 years left of oil, so they are working hard to attract businesses so there will be commerce after the oil is gone.
There are no taxes in Bahrain. Unlike other countries in the area, anyone, native or not, can attend the public, government schools for free. The schools are separated by gender. There is now an all female university.
Bahrain is called the country of a million palms. They take care of the palm trees for 15 years until they can reproduce. There are male and female palm trees necessary for reproducing the trees.
80% of the population is Muslim, 10% Christian and 10% other. There are Jews who also live in the country. While Bahrain allows other religions, there is very little tolerance if a Muslim wants to change religions. If a Muslim wants to change religions, they are given 1 night to re-consider. If they do not change their minds, others are free to kill them. There have been 2 executions because folks would not change their minds.
Camels are referred to as desert ships. They can drink 100 liters in 10 minutes and can live up to 40 years. They can survive 4-5 days in the desert without food or water. They sit in such a way to protect their body from as much of the sun as possible.
Men can have up to 4 wives, but it is less common now. Before a man can marry another wife, they have to go before a judge and the wife has to say before the judge that she agrees before the man can take another wife. There is a special court established for women to get help they need. If a man divorces his wife, he has to leave and she stays in the house.
Food is very influenced by India.
All of the military equipment is from the US military.
Bahrain means two waters because they have both sweet water and salt water. We visited Bahrain on Friday, which is the Muslim holy day. The population in Bahrain is 783,360, with 400,000 of those Bahrains. There are many Americans in Bahrain because of the naval base located here. Bahrain is an island of 711 sq kilometers. Arabic is the official language, and English, French and Spanish are also spoken.
Women have much greater freedom in Bahrain than in Saudi Arabia. Many Saudis come to Bahrain across the King Fahad Causeway, especially females. In Bahrain they can drink and drive and go to beaches, but when they return to Saudi Arabia, they cannot drive or drink and have far less freedom. Our guide goes to private beaches in a bikini, but emphasized she would never want to be seen there or in a bar by her brother or uncle.
The King Fahad Causeway links the Bahrain island with Saudi Arabia. It is an amazing highway with an impressive rest area and checkpoint half way between Bahrain and Saudi. We rode a very cramped elevator to the top viewing deck and were able to see back to Bahrain and to Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain natives take care of their guests for 3 days, providing everything for them. Kent experienced some of that when he asked the guide to exchange some money for him, and she gave him the money and refused to accept anything back. After 3 days of being guests, one then is expected to take care of themselves.
Bahrain was the first country in the gulf to find oil. They first discovered oil in 1932. They anticipate there is 25 years left of oil, so they are working hard to attract businesses so there will be commerce after the oil is gone.
There are no taxes in Bahrain. Unlike other countries in the area, anyone, native or not, can attend the public, government schools for free. The schools are separated by gender. There is now an all female university.
Bahrain is called the country of a million palms. They take care of the palm trees for 15 years until they can reproduce. There are male and female palm trees necessary for reproducing the trees.
80% of the population is Muslim, 10% Christian and 10% other. There are Jews who also live in the country. While Bahrain allows other religions, there is very little tolerance if a Muslim wants to change religions. If a Muslim wants to change religions, they are given 1 night to re-consider. If they do not change their minds, others are free to kill them. There have been 2 executions because folks would not change their minds.
Camels are referred to as desert ships. They can drink 100 liters in 10 minutes and can live up to 40 years. They can survive 4-5 days in the desert without food or water. They sit in such a way to protect their body from as much of the sun as possible.
Men can have up to 4 wives, but it is less common now. Before a man can marry another wife, they have to go before a judge and the wife has to say before the judge that she agrees before the man can take another wife. There is a special court established for women to get help they need. If a man divorces his wife, he has to leave and she stays in the house.
Food is very influenced by India.
All of the military equipment is from the US military.
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