Bahrain Trip

 Gassin' up just outside of Riyadh.

 This is the view for about 3.5 of the 5 hour drive east from Riyadh to the Kingdom of Bahrain, an island  off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf.

 At about the halfway point we drove by this odd site - an abandoned group of buildings complete with creepy ferris wheel.

 Saw plenty of camels and Bedouin camps enroute as well.

 Crossing the causeway to the Kingdom of Bahrain.  The first bit of land in the distance is the passport/customs station.

 Not sure what this is.  Just thought it made for a cool pic.

 Left to this kingdom, right to that one.

If I didn't tell you, could you guess what restaurant this is?  'Tis the Macaroni Grill.   

 Picture didn't turn out very well, but this is referred to as "American Alley" or "Heart Attack Alley".  Has McD's, DQ, Macaroni Grill, Starbuck's, Pizza Inn, Baskin Robbins, etc.

City Centre mall - very large.  Here's a fun game: see how many abaya-wearin' females you can count (ninja dresses).  I count eleven.  All abayas are black, by the way.  Can't draw attention to yourself with colors or decoration. 

The gang is hagglin' over carpets with store owners Mohammad and Mustafa (yes, it does seem like every male in the Middle East carries one or both of those names).  Some of these carpets were amazing - all hand-stitched and most were a silk and wool combo.  The big one (second from the top of the pile) went for around 1000 Saudi Riyal or about $270.

Caveat to the golf experience

I was just writing an e-mail to my illustrious Aunt Jackie and realized I should probably share a perspective on here that I've come to appreciate.

I had been told before 'deploying' here to Riyadh that I could bring anything from golf clubs to triathlon gear out here.  I didn't do so because it just didn't feel right knowing I was coming here, to the Middle East, to do a job for the U.S. Army in support of stabilizing what we all know is a very volatile region.  If I was going to sacrifice an entire year away from family and friends, I wasn't going to pursue activities that might seem to turn this opportunity into some sort of strange vacation.

But, as usual, my mistake was that my perspective was too inwardly focused and naive given my less-than-adequate understanding of the true mission here.

Now, I have a new and proper perspective.  Engaging in activities such as golf (see pics below) isn't just a chance to unwind here.  It is also an opportunity to show trust and good faith in the host country's intent to modernize and accept religious tolerance.  It's an opportunity to step outside the safety of our compound, shed an ample degree of force protection and rely on the stability of our locale that has been built with and through the Saudi government.

But more importantly, I can now use the excuse that I'm playing with rented clubs rather than my par-producing set at home. ;)

Golf at Dirab / Off-roadin' SW of Riyadh

Dirab Golf Course is SSW of Riyadh.  It is a beautiful (and very long) course.  3 of the 4 par 5's are 583, 605, and 610 yards.  Dan Morris and I certainly didn't win anything during the 2-man scramble, but we finished 5-under, shooting a 95 with a 28 handicap (highest allowed). 

 Dan Morris and I.

That's the clubhouse in the background.

One of the super fast greens tucked into the surrounding terrain.  Notice the guard shack/post on the hill. Since Dirab attracts many Westerners, there are obvious force protection measures in-place around the course.

Dan drove us further W from Dirab after the tournament to checkout these escarpments. 

Part of the venture was to find these very old hand-made camel trails leading up/down the face of the escarpments.

Don't do it, Dan!  For some perspective, that speck in front of Dan's left shin is a large truck (akin to an 18-wheeler) on the ground below.

I was too chicken to stand at the edge like Dan.