Well, week number 2 has come to an end, and I must say it's been a bit interesting. I began the week with someone throwing up at the entrance of our hallway right before the bell rang (awesome) and me having to direct traffic so more people didn't slip through it (even more awesome). I swear, after this, it's all downhill.
Also, there were some protests this week (or was that last? time just flies by!), but it didn't really mean anything other than we were rerouted on the bus one day going home and the one day I stayed after I had to take a cab home instead of walking the half hour. Boo hoo. Apparently, this weekend there are supposed to be massive and widespread protests, but to be honest, I'm really not worried. We were joking on the bus that a "protest" here means a little smoldering fire on the street. It's probably a bit more than that, but you it's certainly not as dangerous as Syria or Egypt or Libya, for that matter.
Still, the government doesn't take any chances with its king. Yesterday, one of the "oldies, but goodies" from last year took me to the bank (with one of the newbies) and we got stuck in all kinds of traffic. There were police cars, bikes, armored vehicles, etc. everywhere. Something HAD to be going on. We thought it was maybe a protest until we were stopped in traffic and there was no one on the other side of the highway but police every now and then driving by. Then the police cars started more heavily and we saw a really nice cream-colored car drive by with some guy in a headdress sitting in it. We thought it was probably some mid-level politician, but I heard today it was the king. Meh. I saw the king of Bahrain. No big deal. (Actually, I couldn't care less, but it's still something to talk about I guess.)
In other news, our school is ridiculous. Two weeks into school, the owner/superintendent decides that we need to change our schedules. So my schedule isn't changing, but pretty much everyone else will be switching around. Some teachers will be moved out of the middle school into the high school. Some with have to teach over several different grades. Others will have to teach over several different subjects. Pretty awesome. And if you think it's just the teachers changing, you wrong! All of the 7th graders' schedules will be changing as well and some of the 6th and 8th graders' schedules will be changing as well. So this is the frustration of teaching in an American school in Bahrain: it's nothing like America! :-)
Finally, tomorrow I'm supposed to be going to brunch with the whole crowd (I think there will be 20 of us). Friday brunch is kind of a big deal here. You dress up, guys wear suits, women wear dresses. You eat and drink (alcohol, yes) to your heart's desire and then you get to go on the beach (which, admittedly, I've heard is nothing to speak of, but it's still freakin' sweet). Sounds like an amazing time. Unfortunately, it'll only cost me 20/25 B.D. Multiply that by 2.6 and you've got roughly how much I'll be spending on one meal with alcohol. That blows. Still, I feel like I'd be missing out big time if I didn't go. Soooooo I'll let you know if it was worth it the next time I write.
Until then, YOU all stay safe and be happy. I'll be doing the same!
Also, there were some protests this week (or was that last? time just flies by!), but it didn't really mean anything other than we were rerouted on the bus one day going home and the one day I stayed after I had to take a cab home instead of walking the half hour. Boo hoo. Apparently, this weekend there are supposed to be massive and widespread protests, but to be honest, I'm really not worried. We were joking on the bus that a "protest" here means a little smoldering fire on the street. It's probably a bit more than that, but you it's certainly not as dangerous as Syria or Egypt or Libya, for that matter.
Still, the government doesn't take any chances with its king. Yesterday, one of the "oldies, but goodies" from last year took me to the bank (with one of the newbies) and we got stuck in all kinds of traffic. There were police cars, bikes, armored vehicles, etc. everywhere. Something HAD to be going on. We thought it was maybe a protest until we were stopped in traffic and there was no one on the other side of the highway but police every now and then driving by. Then the police cars started more heavily and we saw a really nice cream-colored car drive by with some guy in a headdress sitting in it. We thought it was probably some mid-level politician, but I heard today it was the king. Meh. I saw the king of Bahrain. No big deal. (Actually, I couldn't care less, but it's still something to talk about I guess.)
In other news, our school is ridiculous. Two weeks into school, the owner/superintendent decides that we need to change our schedules. So my schedule isn't changing, but pretty much everyone else will be switching around. Some teachers will be moved out of the middle school into the high school. Some with have to teach over several different grades. Others will have to teach over several different subjects. Pretty awesome. And if you think it's just the teachers changing, you wrong! All of the 7th graders' schedules will be changing as well and some of the 6th and 8th graders' schedules will be changing as well. So this is the frustration of teaching in an American school in Bahrain: it's nothing like America! :-)
Finally, tomorrow I'm supposed to be going to brunch with the whole crowd (I think there will be 20 of us). Friday brunch is kind of a big deal here. You dress up, guys wear suits, women wear dresses. You eat and drink (alcohol, yes) to your heart's desire and then you get to go on the beach (which, admittedly, I've heard is nothing to speak of, but it's still freakin' sweet). Sounds like an amazing time. Unfortunately, it'll only cost me 20/25 B.D. Multiply that by 2.6 and you've got roughly how much I'll be spending on one meal with alcohol. That blows. Still, I feel like I'd be missing out big time if I didn't go. Soooooo I'll let you know if it was worth it the next time I write.
Until then, YOU all stay safe and be happy. I'll be doing the same!
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