Le jour de gloire est arrivé

This was our first attempt to smell Saudi from up close. So much going on in there that we haven't seen, even being that close. Last week, we made it out to the King Fhad Causeway (Saudi Causeway), that connects Saudi to Bahrain.

There is virtually no way to get in as they don't issue tourist visas, we don't work for an oil company,we're not married to any saudis and we're not muslims planning on doing the Haj. The only way this can happen is to get a Saudi sponsor us from within, or get a transit visa for 3 days with further proof of travel. Though as a female, it's pratically impossible for Mada. This might become reality by December.

I don't think I've ever been so curious about any other country than this...other than wisconsin of course.

Posted by tiklod at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post  

Pretty serious protests/riots at Embassy this weekend (we were offered to use it as a free venue for the conf. until last week when we found out that they're off on fridays, which happened to be our first meeting day).

Getting more into understanding why this didn't get much media attention here. An interesting dynamic to say the least. Haven't heard any similar reports coming out of the region. Top diplomat in the region tomorrow, if so happens that either side is on the offensive while she's there, this is clear indication that things might drag for a while longer.

On the up side: CEED'r from UK arriving tomorrow.
And on the other side: Missa Eric leaves on Tuesday.

(mind the indistinctness)

Posted by tiklod at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post  

Posted by tiklod at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post  

Just coming back from a symbolic event: Bahrain 1st National Conference...the objective was achieved, leaving the room with the feeling that our members (recruited less than 4 months ago), are at this point more developed than I was when I joined this org.

Next stop: Warsaw. Get ready to meet at least 6 of them there.

More pictures here

Posted by tiklod at 4:17 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post  

I wonder what it must be like right now.

Lebanon has always been a special place for me. Growing up in Haiti, I had quite a few Lebanese friends [highly unsual, given the country's population lanscape and location]; they used to tell me stories about the war in the 80's and why their family emigrated from there all the way to places like Brasil, Australia, Quebec, Ivory Coast, Michigan and even Haiti [there is a substantial community of Lebanese and Syrian in Haiti, out of all places!]. Went to Beirut for the first time 3 months ago. It was sad to realize the eternal effects that war has on a country and its people. I grew up hearing Beirut being compared to as the Paris of the middle east [back then it was the financial hub of the region, Bahrain took over in the last decade]. Being there, I was pleased to see that old Beirut was just starting to get back on its feet, with substantial investments from Saudi and Kuwait, and the re-structuring of the tourism industry.

After so many years of hardship and rebuilding, it seems that within a matter of days...it's all out the window. But hopefully not for long. Right chris? Nis?

Posted by tiklod at 5:07 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post  

Highlights of the past 3 days: Exhibitions, meeting royal family members, expansion meetings, spending time with Team Qatar, Jen and Paul, transition still and then the feast...our first intro to the local culture here. Event hosted by one of our members Aysha.





More pictures here

Posted by tiklod at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post  

Things got rolling pretty fast here, finalizing BOD, meeting with partners, yearly planning, and great transition. Lowest point so far, watching brasil loose tonight against my colonizers...again, 8 years later. Oh well, a vida continua...com saudade.


In the pic: with the other MCP of the expansion movement, Kristina (Qatar).

Posted by tiklod at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post