I LIVE in Bahrain

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Thoughts

I Live in Bahrain

File this under revelations while doing the mundane, every day life things. Perhaps revelation is a bit strong. Let’s call it a light revelation.

Sometimes when I’m out walking to the grocery store or taking a break from work and mindlessly staring out of the window, I have to remind myself that I live here. I live in Bahrain. The emphasis being on the I rather than the live. Despite having lived away from the UK for over a year and a half now, I still find almost pinching myself to believe hat I live in Bahrain.

On the weekend, sitting in the car with Anish, we were on our way to the mall. With the Four Seasons Hotel and Bahrain Bay on my right hand side, the above thought popped into my head – I live in Bahrain. Followed by really appreciating the fact that I am now living in a different country from where I grew up and have spent the entirety of my life. I mean really appreciating it.

I Live in Bahrain

Graffiti in Bahrain is interesting – “Ron Burgundy was here”.

It’s a well-known fact that once upon a time I never dreamed of moving out of London, let alone the UK. I’ve got memories of my mum asking if I’d move to another city, say Manchester, Leicester, or somewhere else in the UK, if I met someone who lived elsewhere. And here I am living in Bahrain.

A lot of it was fear. I was afraid. Afraid I wouldn’t be able to live in a city I didn’t know. Which, looking back, is totally laughable to me now. My move to Bahrain was made easier by the fact that Anish was here and my job stayed the same. But I moved to a whole other continent, not just another city. Making this one move has made me a whole lot less fearful of another move. If we had to move to some other country in some other part of the world, I’m totally up for that. I’ve lost that fear.

I Live in Bahrain

Muharraq souq the way I like it – nice and quiet.

And then there’s that whole other side to living in another country – the experience. Growing up my aunts and uncles used to tell me to go work and live in another country – it’d be an amazing experience. But that was when I had the fear. So obviously I didn’t even think about it. Now Bahrain’s not perfect, but I’m really grateful that I’m getting to experience living here. Living in a different country from where you’re from gives you a different perspective that you don’t get when you visit a country on holiday, no matter how long for. It’s the little things like going to the post office, registering/buying a car, getting stuck in some bureaucracy – these crappy things are what makes the difference!

The different places, people, food, culture, environment – it makes me happy to get to experience all of this. It makes me happy to call Bahrain home, for however long it’ll be home. And I’m happy I was brave enough to take the plunge in the first place.

16 Comments

  1. Russell Betney

    I did the same when I lived in Berlin for two years. Sometimes I’d be walking back from the post office, pass a beautiful schloss or a magnificent statue and think “wow, I live here!” I know exactly what you mean, and it’s a great feeling.

  2. I know this feeling well! I would pinch myself often living in California, going “is this real?!” It’s an amazing thing, moving so far from home to a place so different. It gives you a perspective that only people who have done the same can understand.

    • It’s funny because my SO has moved around so often, he kind of laughed when I had my revelation. Moving around is something he’s so used to doing, whereas me… nope!

  3. I think we could all benefit from just taking a step back to appreciate where we live or where we are in our lives! Love the post.

    • Thanks, B! Totally agree. We can get so lost in the day-to-day trivia that we don’t cherish what we have and have achieved.

  4. I remember doing that when I lived in Thailand. It’s a lovely epiphany. Just doing something ordinary and realizing you are living and thriving in another country. It’s nice to stop and recognize these moments. They seem simple, but they are powerful reminders of how much our lives move and surprise us.

    • It’s that “thriving” part you mention – to suddenly realise that you’re thousands of miles from where you used to call home and are doing alright despite all your fears – is it weird to call it a brilliant feeling?

  5. I know exactly what you mean about that revelation you sometimes get, the ‘shit, is this my life?’ feeling.
    It’s en enormously brave thing to do, move away from everything you know so I hope you have lots more epiphanies and celebrate your awesomeness.
    Also, I bet life in Bahrain is WEIRD! Brilliant but so very different.
    M x

    • Is it weird to say I think I’ve gotten used to most of the weirdness? Honestly, there are some crazy things I’ve seen or been a part of.

      Not sure I’ve ever had the “shit, this is my life?” feeling before moving here. Which is sort of sad, but then I didn’t know what I was missing out on. So not so sad? Either way, living it up in Bahrain and doing pretty well at it!

  6. Keith & the Movies

    I love these posts. I gotta say I would probably have that same fear and anxiety. It is a big move. But as with many things, the anxiety is what we put on ourselves. And if you had allowed that fear to win you wouldn’t be having the incredible experience you are. That’s awesome!

    • It’s totally that anxiety, and that fear that we ourselves aren’t capable enough to do what we’re totally capable of.

      Oh and hey Keith! It’s been a long time, I really need to stop by your blog today!

  7. Jennifer Mitchell

    I have had the same thought about living in Phuket every so often. I think it is really important to sit back and appreciate where you are and also prompt yourself to be amazed all over again that you are living away from ones home country. I love it… it is almost like falling in love over and over again. šŸ™‚

    • That’s exactly what it feels like. And it’s a very refreshing feeling. Almost like seeing your life through a renewed set of eyes.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Jennifer!

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