Spring Break 2008
Bahrain
Last year it was Malaysia, this year it is Bahrain. I will be traveling to Bahrain to watch an F1 Race, visit the local sites, get some sun, and eat the local food.
Check out this VIDEO (right click, save target as) introduction to Bahrain, courtesy of http://www.bahraingateway.org/
Bahrain Facts: from www.bahrain.com
- The Kingdom is an archipelago of 40 islands - a number that is growing as new developments spring up across the Kingdom - placed midway between the Qatar peninsula and Saudi Arabia.
- Capital: Manama
- Total Land Area: 711 sq km (274 sq mi)
- Time Zone: GMT + 3
- Population: 724,645
- Labour Force: 380,000 (2005 est.)
- Population Growth: 1.45% (2006 est)
- Languages: The official language is Arabic. English is very widely spoken and is the principal language of commerce.
- Currency: Bahraini Dinar, which is pegged to the US Dollar
- Head of State: King Hamad bin Essa Al-Khalifa
- Head of Government: Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa
- Crown Prince and Commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defense Force: Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa
- Parliament: Bahrain has a bicameral legislature with a lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, elected by universal suffrage and the upper house, the Shura Council, appointed by the King. Both houses have forty members. The inaugural elections were held in 2002, with parliamentarians serving four year terms
- International affiliations: Bahrain is a member of the UN, Arab League, Gulf Co-operation Council and the Organization of the Islamic Conference
- Logistics: Bahrain has an excellent road network with causeway connections to Muharraq and Sitra islands and to Saudi Arabia. A road link is also planned between Bahrain and Qatar - which is due for completion in 2010. Bahrain International Airport in Muharraq is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East with the most connections to the rest of the region. It is used by most major international airlines. Manama is the headquarters of Gulf Air, Bahrain's national carrier. Steamers run scheduled service from Bahrain to other Gulf ports and to Pakistan and India.
Current Weather
Etiquette and Customs in Bahrain from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk
Meeting Etiquette
. Bahrainis are tremendously friendly
. Greetings are given with a sense of enthusiasm and delight at meeting you or
seeing you again.
. Smiling and direct eye contacts are crucial.
. Men shake hands and kiss each other on the cheek.
. Women generally hug and kiss close friends.
. When Bahrainis greet each other they take their time and converse about
general things.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. Extended family and very close friends may exchange
gifts for birthdays, Ramadan, Eid, Hajj, and other celebratory occasions.
. If you are invited to a Bahraini's home, bring a houseplant, box of imported
chocolates, or a small gift from your home country.
. Always say that the gift is for your host, never the hostess, who you may not
meet.
. Flowers do not make good gifts from a man, although a woman could give them to
her hostess.
. Do not give alcohol.
. Gifts are given with two hands.
. Gifts are not opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
. Bahrainis enjoy entertaining friends and family in their
homes, although they will also socialize in restaurants, clubs, and
international hotels.
. Entertainment is often same-sex only.
. Friends may be invited to a Bahraini's home.
If you are invited to a Bahraini's house:
. Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours at the door.
. Dress conservatively.
. Do not discuss business at a social occasion.
. Try to arrive at the invited time. Punctuality is appreciated.
. Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.
. Accept any offer of coffee or tea. To turn down hospitality may be considered
a rejection of the person.
. If you are invited for a meal, there may be a great deal of socializing and
small talk before the meal is served. The evening will end quite quickly after
the meal.
. It is considered good manners to reciprocate any hospitality you receive.
Watch your table manners!
. If the meal is on the floor, sit cross-legged or kneel
on one knee. Never let your feet touch the food mat.
. Eat only with the right hand.
. Try a bit if everything that is served.
. Meals are generally served family-style.
. Honoured guests are often offered the most prized pieces such as a sheep's
head.
. There is often more food than you can eat. You will be urged to take more food
despite saying you are full.
. It is considered polite to leave some food on your plate when you have
finished eating. This demonstrates that your host has showered his guests with
generosity and abundance.
View Larger Map
Exchange Rate
3/7/08
$1 US Dollar = .3370
Bahrain
dinar
$1 Bahrain
F1 stage set for singer Sean Paul |
|
Published: 13th January 2008 JAMAICAN dance hall
reggae artist Sean Paul will be performing to He will be performing
songs from The Trinity, the highly anticipated follow-up to his
six-million-selling, Grammy-winning breakthrough album, Dutty Rock. French DJ David Guetta
- the pioneer of French house with Up & Way will also perform in The French DJ was
awarded a Grammy for his mix of Deep Dish's Flashdance, invited to remix
David Bowie's Heroes and saw his first two albums - Just A Little More
Love and Guetta Blaster turn double gold in Concerts featuring these artists are
presented by W Media & Advertising. David Guetta will perform on April 4, Sean Paul on April 5 and an official after concert Formula One party will be held on April 6. Shows will be held from
9.30pm on all days. |
