Bahrain - March 2008 (cont.)

by Hannah

Saturday March 29, 2008

Today was super hot and we were outside.  In the morning we went to the Archaeology Excavation, which is a really old ruin city in Bahrain.  We had a tour around all the ruins that are now rocks and then we searched for treasure by moving pile of rocks aside and then scooped the sand that was under the rocks.  We found some little shells that were used for putting in mascara and some of us also found a bottle; that was buried in for us to find.  After working we took group photos; we always do that.

Then we came back to the Youth Hostel and prepared for the big closing ceremony that took place in this evening at a 5 star hotel, which has a huge room for ceremonies especially weddings.  We started off with closing speeches; first the directors and then the delegates.  Each one of us delegates had to say one line about what we have experienced and I said, "This has been an inspiring and educational trip because I have learned new skills that I will share with my community back home and we have also created a cross cultural understanding between Bahrain and the United States.”  I also had to say the last line for all of us which was, "We would like to thank the sponsors, program directors and all the volunteers for making this trip a dream come true.”  After all the speeches that were made, rewards were passed out and I got a certificate that said that I have completed the program.  I also got a bottle of perfume and a bottle of body lotion.  After that we had dinner and then all the goodbyes were said.  This was a sad night because some people cried during the goodbye exchange.

Sunday March 30, 2008

This morning we went to the Development center and talked to a lady.  She asked us how our trip has been and what we've enjoyed most.  Each of us shared our experiences with her and then we discussed about disability accessibility.  We told her that we've noticed that a lot of the public places do not have ramps or elevators and she said they are working on it.  She told us that they are writing an article for the cabinet.  She also said that there are laws that say ramps, curb cuts and elevators have to be built and that they are currently working on it.  The meeting felt really short and it was about 20 minutes.  Afterward we came back to our hostel and did the final evaluation for MIUSA.  It was long and it took me more than an hour to complete it.  Then each of us had to talk in front of a video camera about our experiences for MIUSA.  Then we ate lunch and I had noodles with vegetables in it; it was good.  I also ate two spring rolls with vegetables in it.  Then we packed for the rest of the day until dinner.  It was a small farewell party at our hostel and it was sad.  After that we left for the Bahrain International Airport and said our goodbyes to Wasna Essam and the other Bahraini people.  After the sad farewells were made, we headed for Frankfurt, Germany.

Monday March 31, 2008

Yesterday's goodbyes at the hostel and at the airport were so sad; I cried a bunch.  I miss everyone and everything especially the food and language.  We have been flying for almost 16 hours and it is tiring.  Before I end this journal, I would like to reflect on everything that we have done in the past three weeks.  I loved everything that we did especially the workshops and the retreat at Hawar Island because I got to learn new skills and another culture.  There are so many differences between the United States and Bahrain.

In Bahrain, almost everyone practices the same religion, Islam.  Most of the women cover themselves from head to foot often in black and the men wear white because that's the tradition.  People eat a lot of stir fried or white rice with various vegetables and meat, especially lamb because it is one of their specialties; a lot of food tastes like lamb.  Arabic is the official language, but almost all of the people know English because they study it in school.  People have to attend school a least until 11-12th grade.  Students study very hard and they have a lot of homework. 

Bahrain is still improving their disability rights and a lot of the public places aren't accessible for people in wheelchairs.  The sidewalks are very narrow and they often have holes or dents in unexpected place on the sidewalks.  They do not have curb cuts and a lot of the stores are super tight and crowded inside. 

The people are very welcoming and open.  People in Bahrain spent most of their time with family or friends.  Food and drinks are offered almost everywhere that we went.  The most surprising thing to me was the fact that everyone always wanted to be with us and they are so welcoming that I felt right at home before the first week was over.  I had a really nice group of teens and I really enjoyed being with them.  Also the 4 staff members were really kind too.  Some of my group mates got sick from the heat, food and catching it from one another; I didn't get sick.

Last but not least, I would like to thank each and every one of my group mates for being with me because without them the trip wouldn't be complete or the same.  I would like to thank the staff for taking us on this inspiring and educational trip and for bringing us together.  But most of all I would like to thank all the sponsors, program directors especially Wasna, Essam and their family members and all the volunteers in Bahrain and in the United States for making this trip a dream come true. 

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