Ashley Morris: the blog: Another island nation

Not the Isle d'Orleans, but Bahrain.

That's where I am and will be for the next couple of weeks, so feel free to drop by and offer my lovely rollergirl wife free babysitting service and pie.

Where is Bahrain? Well, it's an island off the Eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. They've got a bridge to SA, and they are building a bridge to Qatar, which will be the longest span in the world when completed, eclipsing the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. BTW, Louisiana has 4 of the longest 10 bridges in the world. We roool.

They have one of the 17 or so stops on the F1 Grand Prix circuit, and that brings in tourists a plenty. The fact that they're one of the most liberal states in the gulf region also has something to do with bringing in tourists. Sound somewhat familiar? However, before anybody tries to compare Bahrain to New Orleans, let me say that to a man who lives in Utah, Idaho looks extremely sexy. I am able to smoke fine cigars here and drink "Oh my God, they KilKenny" beer. So I'm happy enough.

I'm teaching a class on software project management here, and the students are, so far, quite impressive. I've been to neither the Middle East nor an Islamic state before, so I've worked on my etiquette. Rather than my typical "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" motus operandi, I'm deferring to custom on just about everything. The Rick Steves approach, if you will. If I see another drunk American in a loud t-shirt and shorts, I'm gonna slap him upside the head. Although as a Zoroastrian, I'm still looking for a fire temple.

Bahrain is a small island nation, with about 750k residents. However, they have a rich history, and were the world leaders in the pearl trade until they discovered oil. I'm still looking for some raw oysters, though.

The current big news items are Iran claiming Bahrain to be a renegade province, and when (not if) Bahrain will free its currency, currently pegged to the withering US Dollar. THANKS W.

I'm trying to figure out how to see the Saints games while I'm gone. I'll probably fork over $25 a week and watch them on the internets. Some goober bought my tickets for the Tampa game. I hope he realizes how important it is to be loud, especially without my voicebox and incredibly annoying horn at the game. Some know how important it is to sacrifice your hearing, some do not. Just win, baby.