Saturday, May 30, 2009

the farthest East I have been


We arrived in Bahrain earlier this week. We left Beirut Airport, flying with Bahrain Airlines, first over Jordan and then Saudi Arabia. If we have time when we get back to Lebanon, we might take a bus trip to Damascus, Syria. Or, if my relatives insist, as they have, it will have to be a car trip. We'll see how much we can fit in; I'm not to go to Byblos or Baalbek until my sister-in-law arrives in Lebanon. Wait, she said. As my husband and I flew across the skies over the desert, looking down out the plane window was like seeing through a veil of sand. Just a hint of the ever present sand/dust that hangs sometimes imperceptibly and other times quite visibly in the air. Sunglasses are a good idea for morning walks. It does not rain now here in Bahrain so the sand dust hangs around.

Once out of the air conditioning of Manama Airport, I knew I was going to need a few days to adjust to the heat. Oh, my. Sounds like a cliche, but it's oh so true: like walking into an oven. Oh, my. I think I said that to myself 20x before entering the refreshing air conditioning of my sister-in-law's Jeep. I hate air conditioning--but not here.

Of course, the heat is unbearable only for a northerner like me, whose genes for millenia have been programmed to survive the cold. Heat? What I have come to know as hot is the next person's day to put on their wool toque and sweater. I'm sure the legions of Indian workers that fill Manama find what I would call oppressive heat, quite lovely. Milder than India. Indeed, from out the window, I noticed an Indian man walking, wearing a warm scarf wrapped around his neck--in 40 plus temperature. Without a bead of sweat to give away any discomfort. All the women encased in black abayas and hijabs and at time niqab don't betray any discomfort with the heat, either. And the traffic and cars, which I find constant and congested, the Indian workers I'm sure would find a relief from what they left behind in India. So, it is all relative. My congestion, another person's ease. My difficult heat wave, another person's pleasant day. My dilemma of what to wear to stay cool, not a dilemma.

I spent the first 2 days inside, sitting on the couch, feeling slightly queasy, moving more slowly, and falling asleep like a stone way before my bed time, then waking up late in the morning, oversleeping, feeling groggy and bleary. Such is my northern embodiment.

Yesterday, however--thankfully--I perked up, came back to my "real self" and with my husband and his sister, went to the beach.

5 comments:

marja-leena said...

Oh, yes, I'm like you concerning heat! Others fear getting cold, I fear heat! Anything over 22C already bothers me and it was 27C here yesterday. Cool compared to where you are.

Great photos! Hope the beach was cooler, and that you are adjusting to the heat (is it possible?) and enjoying yourself! I look forward to more reports...

Merche Pallarés said...

Wonderful report, it reminded me also of the oppresive heat of the Caribbean which I had just experienced. Like walking into an oven--exactly. However, people who live in Africa and the Middle East are covered up because, logically, it keeps the sun away from their skin, thereby, feeling less the heat. You should wear your woolies!
When you have time and browse my blog, you'll see I've, finally! hung some pictures. Hugs, M.

20th Century Woman said...

I have spent some time reading your blog. The writing is wonderful, I love the pictures.

I, too, find heat more difficult to deal with than cold. But I love the drama and romance of the tropics, and I'm sure the mystery and ancient culture of the middle east must compensate for some discomfort. I'll be following your trip with interest.

Merche Pallarés said...

Taina, WHERE are you??? Still travelling in the Middle East? I hope to read you soon! Hugs, M.

northshorewoman said...

hello and my apologies for not responding to your wonderful comments! I am too busy to get to the computer and when I do the internet is too slow or there is no electricity! more later......