Ahmed Al Fateh Mosque

*Note: My apologies if this post sees a little disjointed, I'm not feeling well (I've got a very sore throat and a dry cough) and I've been trying to sleep it off. So, this might not be as talkative as usual.

After breakfast this morning, Louisa (a fellow teacher here for her visa) and I decided to walk down the waterfront. It was lovely out: clear blue skies and about 72 degrees.

So we walked to the mosque and happened upon the back where there was no pedestrian entrance to be found and signs that said "No Trespassing." Still, Louisa bravely decided that she would ask a security guard. So, we tiptoed in, found the guards and were warmly greeted and led to where we had been intended to enter. Tours were free, as were loaner abayas (neither of us had our with us) and a tour guide was just beginning his tour. The tour took about 2 hours an we learned an immense amount about Islam, Muslims, 'Arabic' culture, and mosques.

Pardon the vanity, but the only way I can rotate portrait pictures is to post them singularly. Many of the photos that I take in portrait are of my own mug.  This is a new problem got me in Weebly (this blog host); hopefully, it'll be fixed soon! Until then, portrait photos will stand alone in all their glory!

I learned that the reason women wear the abaya and hijab is to honor Mary (as in, Mother of Jesus). She "was the best woman on Earth," our guide said, so it seems like a good idea to follow in her footsteps. The colors are purely cultural (stemming from Bedouin traditions) and have nothing to do with religion.

This is the alcove (for sound amplification fr the call to prayer). Even though a mic is used now, it is still just to the left of the alcove.

Me outside, sans abaya and hijab. They're not necessary in public in Bahrain.

We also stopped in the National Library. It was very cool and just like a very large public library. There were sections for every embassy here, including a US one which had lots of cultural stuff in it (like board games and movies as well as books). There was a children's section where many school aged children were studying and playing. 

Here is (part of) the call to prayer from inside the mosque. I'm sorry that I filmed it in portrait, I'm terrible about that.

It was a great day, but I've been in bed nursing my terrible sore throat (accompanied by a not-at-all-helpful dry cough), so I haven't done much else. Tomorrow I'll join Louisa for breakfast (I feel terrible for abandoning her on Christmas Eve), check out of the hotel and head to the airport. Once in Riyadh I'll wait at Ian's apartment for him to get off work and we'll have Christmas night and until the next evening together before I go to Al Q. It's not much, but it's a whole lot better than nothing!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everybody!