I noticed you have Bahrain 2011. My buddy Works for MCdean (some alarm company) He was hired originally for a job in Bahrain but they got him working all over italy now.
Nice pics!
Late,
grmpysmrf
Yes, that’s where I grew up (Bahrain) and this site started from, actually.
That’s a cool little bit of trivia. My buddy said it was weird to be on the top of these mega buildings and be able to walk right up to the edge of the building without having a fence in the way.
He said if people jump off buildings over there the families don’t hold the owners responsible, so there is no reason to have fences around the tops of buildings. He said there were many signs pointing to Mecca in every hall and room in his Hotel.
He said it was really cool there.
Late,
grmpysmrf
He said there were many signs pointing to Mecca in every hall and room in his Hotel.
That’s not just Bahrain, but ANY country in the Middle East (well, perhaps not Israel). It’s not like a big sign, though. It’ll be a small circle sticker, typically, about the size of a drink coaster and it will say “QIBLA” (in reference to the big black square rock thing in the middle of Mecca) with an arrow pointing in its direction.
There are also prayer rooms in every major mall or airport. The Middle East, in general, is very open to others regardless of faith and culture. Yes, the predominant and “official” religion is Islam, but other than the loud public prayer calls and restrictions on pork and alcohol it’s not like it affects your day-to-day much (oh, if you’re hoping to get your rocks off with some online wanking material you may also come up disappointed).
As opposed to the US where so many people have a chip on their shoulder and seem to actively LOOK for a reason to get offended because of another’s supposed dispresptecting of one’s beliefs or lack thereof, the Middle East people are generally quite accepting of their neighbors’ differences.
There are also prayer rooms in every major mall or airport. The Middle East, in general, is very open to others regardless of faith and culture. Yes, the predominant and “official” religion is Islam, but other than the loud public prayer calls and restrictions on pork and alcohol it’s not like it affects your day-to-day much (oh, if you’re hoping to get your rocks off with some online wanking material you may also come up disappointed).
So you can’t get bacon in the middle East? and beer with dinner is out? (not that I do). or is it just for the people who are muslim? Also with those prayer calls, you’re not looked down upon/shunned if you don’t go?
Is there a big underground market for bacon flavored beer?
Late,
grmpysmrf
So you can’t get bacon in the middle East? and beer with dinner is out? (not that I do). or is it just for the people who are muslim?
It all depends. In some of the markets in Bahrain, for instance, there are special sections labeled “Non-Muslim” and you’ll see a set of swinging cowboy doors like were portals to the porno section in 80’s video stores and you’ll find Spam, beer, bacon, etc.
In less liberal places like Kuwait, you will not find booze or bacon anywhere and penalties/ violations are stiff. Yes, there is a blackmarket for anything, but I’m not taking any chances.
In Qatar access to booze is VERY regulated and hence also very expensive ($15 for a bottle of Corona at the “Champions” sports bar, for example). You need a license to buy booze at specialized controlled stores, and yes, these outlets are restricted to non-Muslim and, interestingly, you are limited in how much you can buy each month based on your declared income.
I have had plenty of booze in the Middle East. I have never eaten pork there (it’s far less accessible, in general, probably due to the ease of separating bottles versus separating meat on a grill and keeping things quarantined. I always eat a buttload of bacon as soon as I return from a trip.
Also with those prayer calls, you’re not looked down upon/shunned if you don’t go?
Alcohol is permitted in many areas of the Middle East, as pointed out. In fact, places like Beirut, Amman and (well, used to be), Damascus, are huge party cities that will put most US cities to shame, closing after 6am, etc. Bahrain also has all this; alcohol has always been there and pork also you can buy. The other Gulf countries/regions are much more restrictive (Dubai is learning to open up).
It’s not uncommon to see Arabs dressed in their thobes drinking in Bahrain - they’re mainly Saudi.
It’s there if you want it, or you don’t go to those places. It’s tolerant and always was in Bahrain. I was going to bars there when under 18 - never got IDed, nothing.
If you ever go East, definitely go to places like Istanbul, Beirut, etc.