I had a lovely long walk before going to the Embassy. There are hints, innuendos, and suggestions, if you will, of green on the bleak lawns and trees. I have a feeling that when things pop here they all pop at once and we’ll go from late winter to mid-spring in two or three days. I’ll take whatever they throw at me as long as it involves more warm weather and gentle breezes.
I did a little shopping for basics at the Embassy and paid our cable bill while there. I had to bring back a bottle of corked wine that I purchased there and had to explain to them what a corked wine was and how it came to be that way. By the time I was done explaining about TCA, white mold and cork trees, their eyes were glazed and they couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. I purchased too many heavy things and by the time I got home my back was killing me from shouldering the one bag I had brought. My timing was stellar and just as I got to the door to our apartment complex, the rains had begun and continue in a gentle and soothing patter.
Two more signs of spring; the kiosks outside the zoo are all open and trying to draw in the customers. One is a photo joint that has people dressed like Disney animals attempting to get parents to take pictures of their kids with these models. The other is a sausage place that has irresistible smells coming from the little grill, and the lines testify to the excellent product they are selling.
I watched a car repo job right outside my window this morning. It was a big black newish looking Range Rover and it took three people to get the thing up on the truck. It is always fun to guess what happened and why it was being repossessed, but judging from the way these yahoos mangled the bumper to get the towline connected, I’m sure they aren’t going to be selling that car as new.
Bahrain continues to struggle with the concept of democracy and equal rights. Instead of using the recent unrest to explore ways of engaging in dialogue, the way the Crown Prince wanted to do, they have returned to the heavy handed bungling that has become the trademark of the Prime Minister. These two articles speak volumes regarding the direction the country is taking. The ruling family is making a classic mistake: When you can’t understand the big picture, focus on the little stuff, like taking coins out of circulation because the have a picture of the Pearl Roundabout on them. Instead of keeping their best hospital open and serving the public, they have made it into a jail. I fear for what will soon happen when the people have had enough of this second-class treatment.
Since we are heading to Italy on Friday, I wanted to use everything I could in the fridge for dinner. There was some cooked chicken, one carrot, an onion and lots of garlic, some dried figs and a green apple, so I decided to do a chicken curry. I cubed the chicken, cut the vegetables and fruits and flash fried everything in a wok. I added curry powder from Bahrain, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, chili flakes, a hint of mint, pepper and a bit of salt to a cup of hot chicken stock, mixed it all up before adding it to the wok where I incorporated it into the chicken mix. Just before serving, I added a half-cup of milk and a half-cup of sour cream to the chicken mix and gently heated it all up again. I served it on top of rice and decorated it with fresh chives and served it with hot Naan. It was a fun meal and the spices did much to help keep me awake.
Parting Shot: Reason 37 for not shopping at Wal-Mart
Stay well, Cindy and Wm
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