My first thoughts on moving to Bahrain

Find out what I first perceived of this country, its culture and people, with comparison to India, when I was moving to Bahrain in 2017.

When I first realized I was going to live in a Gulf country, I wasn’t very excited. The thought of staying so far from family and not being able to dwell in my comfort zone, made me indifferent to the new life that was in front of me.

After all, who wouldn’t like to be around loved ones, explore the countryside and enjoy the variety of food available in India! India- Indians….just how many will I really be able to connect with, in a Gulf country, I wondered. 

After a short sojourn in Muscat (Oman), we moved to the Kingdom of Bahrain for better opportunities. I had heard from my mother about a relative in Bahrain (a relief factor).

With a little reading, I learnt, that it’s an extremely small country (hardly visible in the map) with a small number of places to explore. I was disappointed.

I had always labelled Muscat a “brown” city in my conversations with family (brown due to it’s existence around barren brown hills and brown sand), but at least it had some good natural spots to delve into.

Bahrain claimed to be “modern”, which was a letdown for me since modern in a dessert could only mean “malls, clubs and automobiles”. Nothing that suited my interest- or so I assumed.

Only how wrong I was.

That morning, when I first landed in Bahrain, I remember reveling in the visual of the sea, as we drove away from the airport.

The grand magnificent buildings all the way, date palms waving at us from every corner, smiling faces from passing vehicles, I felt graciously welcomed.

So far so good, but what else can I really expect here, was my next thought.

Well, almost 2 years later, a few aspects that continue to touch me,living in Bahrain are:

The quiet

I’m not sure if its because of the locality I live in, but there’s hardly any noise from the city. Its easy to spot the sounds of the automobiles driving by or the general hubbub of a busy day, but there is an overall calm; nothing piercing through your ears, NO HONKING, nothing even at night!

Birds

Pardon my ignorance, but I had always assumed that birds could never survive in a dessert. To my surprise I found sparrows in Bahrain (they have almost vanished from Delhi) and wood pigeons and bee-eaters and hoopoes and cuckoos and bulbuls!!

In fact Bahrain is a habitat to around 333 species of birds!! While I haven’t seen most of them, I do get an occasional visit from the ones I mentioned before. It is delightful, to sometimes wake up to their calls, early in the morning! 

Clean Environment

This is probably a sight you would definitely notice going away from India (and especially from Delhi). Almost everywhere in Bahrain,you would find a clean environment.

No vendors on the roadside, no cars on the pavement, clean public washrooms and no animals blocking your way. The roads especially are absolutely clean.

Residents are more careful here of course. Private contractors manage the waste collection and disposal. Late at nights or early in the mornings, I see the workers emptying the waste from the trash bins and sweeping the entire area.

Organised traffic

Unlike India, Bahrain fines heavily for traffic offences. So residents stick to their lanes, follow the signals and maintain the recommended speed.

Thankfully even during busy traffic, everybody sticks to the rules and does not resort to honking or overtaking. 

Pedestrian friendly

Did you know that Bahrain gives first priority to pedestrians? So many times, motorists here, have stopped their vehicles and patiently waited for me to cross the road. Such a refreshing gesture!

Safe and secure

The streets are well lit in Bahrain. In fact it’s worth a drive to watch the roads and buildings all lit up during the night. Police officials take their standard rounds. I have spotted women driving, running or walking along the roads, in the day and past zero hours.

Even at 10 pm, I have dared to walk alone to the nearby store. I think, that’s enough for me to call the place secure.

Overuse of plastic

I recently read in an article that in Bahrain, an average of 360 plastic bags per person, get discarded every year. This is truly apalling and from my own experience, I know that if I buy 8 items from the supermarket, I might be offered 8 plastic bags.

There are many measures being taken for raising awareness in environment conservation, recycling plastic and using other products like Reverte (an oxy-biodegradable component like plastic). But there’s still a lot to be done in inculcating the habit of carrying reusable products in Bahrain.

Indian and not a foreigner

During my last flight to India, there was a call out for foreigner passports (for some reason). As the cabin crew started collecting, an Indian passenger handed over his document too, to which the attendant immediately replied ” No not Indian passport. Only foreigner passport.” I couldn’t help but laughing out!

Technically a foreigner is referred to as a person born in or coming from a country other than one’s own. So Indians also become foreigners in other countries.

I’m assuming in this case, however, that because we Indians are present in a large number in Bahrain (and the Gulf) and are now well known by the Bahrainis, we are not considered as foreigners. Now isn’t that something to be happy about?

Modern in the true sense, Bahrain has successfully managed to create a beautiful picture in my head. First thoughts are “first” thoughts though, aren’t they? 😉

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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me

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