-Where are you now?
“As`salaam alaykum!” from the Kingdom of Bahrain! A mere pinprick on the world map…but quite an exciting community in the heart of the Arabian Gulf . We came here 4 and a half years ago, only for 18 months…and are still here.
We return to our home in Aachen, Germany every summer to touch base with the” real world” and soak up the beautiful green surroundings, not to mention good clean air!!
-Household members.
A more than lively household of 4 Cancerian males…God knows what I did wrong in my previous life…? Or is it lack of family planning? My wonderful, husband Martin is German – sounds more South African than I do…most people think that I am the Kraut in the family!!! He is an Architect, 44 and makes me laugh every day…works long, hard hours as GM for an Australian firm here in Bahrain. Our 3 boys, Stefan (soon to be 10), Thomas (soon to be 7) and Anton our little Shaikh (soon to be 4) make up for the daily chaos. And then there's Ginny, the Bahraini Special we adopted from the BSPCA… Like having a fourth child!
-What do you do all day?
I took up a teaching position again 18 months ago…am teaching French to Key stage 1 kids (ages4-7) at a British curriculum school here in Bahrain.
After a full day at school, the afternoons are busy with carting the boys to various corners of the island for play afternoons, extra-murals, homework or whatever else needs doing! The garden…besides being a God-forsaken task in this climate, I find it rather therapeutic!
In Germany I did various things to keep myself busy… From working in an art gallery to making hats, running activity programmes for kids during school holidays, and teaching English to adults and children… Let's just say life has not been boring!!
-The last 20 years...
After leaving the protected environment of St.Cyps I went to Stellenbosch to do a BA. I took a year off half-way through the course, went to France to work as an au-pair. Took a few trips to the UK and Italy from there. I returned fluent in French, made a few changes to my course, and finally completed my degree with French and Political Science. Useful?! Did a few odd jobs for quite some time… And then took up my first serious job in Hotel Management at Constantia Uitsig… What an idyllic setting to work in!! Martin and I met at a sundowners evening on the rocks in Camps Bay in 1992… And married in 1995 in Cape Town.
It took a while to get used to life far away from my family and friends in Cape Town, especially as I could speak NO German…I remember resorting to all sorts to make myself understood… I now speak, think and dream in German.
We spent some time in the wine growing region of the Mosel. From there we moved to Aachen(close to Cologne, Brussels and Maastricht) – both Stefan and Thomas were born there… Then we moved south to the famous picture-postcard beautiful Black Forest… This is where Martin is from… It was an enriching time and we have fond memories of our time there. We returned to Aachen, and were sent to the dust bowls of Bahrain shortly thereafter… Martin, was involved with the design and development of an F1 track and facilities here. (We are NOT F1 fans at all!!!) One project lead to another and so our short stay was extended. Last October, we were all sold up and packed to go to Ireland, but changed our minds at the last minute… Something about this funny place that keeps us here… The easy lifestyle?… Still live a somewhat colonial existence here… Domestic help and things like that… Unheard of in Europe! Can't quite put a finger on it… The climate?… Well, yes, it's warm… Bloody HOT would better describe it… We have average summer temps of around 45°C and humidity of at least 80 percent. I think it's the eclectic mix of people that make it… We have friends from all corners of the globe here… What a wonderful experience for the boys… They have friends from Europe, the UK, India, the Far East, Australia and even South Africa! Bahrain is a cultural melting pot… East meets West…
Life in Germany is great too… They are such a nation of thinkers, so conscious about all things… Critical, in the positive sense. We love going home every summer… Even if it means that we find ourselves doing all the same menial tasks every year… Removing cob-webs, weeding and pulling out the creeping brambles AGAIN… Every summer I have great dreams for the garden… And then abandon them knowing that it will be a whole year again till the plants are tended to. Our home language is predominantly Deutsch… Stefan speaks perfect German, Thomas with a very British accent and Anton has mastered the art of selective hearing!
Unlike the message put across by the press, the Muslim community (at least here in Bahrain) is peaceful and extremely tolerant…we have Churches for various creeds, I do NOT have to wear an Abaya(black robe) or cover my face, can drive a car, go wherever I wish… In Bahrain we can even drink and buy alcohol, we have Western amenities, schools and facilities. The Bahrainis are such friendly people… They adore children and carry them on golden platters… Quite different to the more and more singles- orientated Western world. The clock ticks at a different pace here… Our week runs from Sunday to Thursday… Friday and Saturday is weekend. The only downside is the lack of environmental beauty and awareness… There seems to be sooo little love and respect for nature or the greater environment in general. If you think that the roads and driving are bad at home… Wait till you try it here… You see things that you'd rather not have me repeat! The region is developing like nowhere else… Bahrain and Dubai are in constant competition for the next highest structure or better development strategy… An architect's, and anybody in the construction industry´s dream. Money is Tax-free – at a price- so we continue to enjoy it while it lasts…
- Any shining moments from The School Years?
Great memories of hiking trails.
The ever-present Table Mountain
- How about less-than-shining?
That final Std 7 Typing exam when I think I got something like 7%!!! Imagine what that did to my grades?!
Maths…?!$§*
- Did you stay in touch with anyone? Who?
Have kept constant contact with my oldest friend Sue. Would love to hear from loads of you….
- With the benefit of 20 years hindsight, did St Cyprians prepare you for life?
Yes and no! We had great privileges at school, wish that I had not been so painfully shy and made more out of the opportunities offered. I think that I have learnt from life`s ups and downs.
- Any stand out teachers?
Several! Mme Jaeger (French) and her temper…but somehow she instilled a love for the French language and culture in me. I was scared stiff of Mrs Thorburn and her atom splitting voice! Do any of you remember that wacky Afrikaans teacher we had…the one who never taught us apart from telling us all about her escapades, and then just disappeared…? English with Mrs Simons…she was wonderful in retrospect.
- Life lessons?
Live well, laugh lots and love much!
“To see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wild flower”:
- Greatest hope?
Peace and a brighter future for our children. To never be a “boring” grown up! To be a great wife, lover, friend and mother.
- How different is your life from how you envisaged it 20 years ago?
To the moon and back different!!! No definite ideas as such, but I certainly never imagined myself living here. Kids…a probable yes, but not three boys! (couldn´t possibly imagine anything pink and pretty in our home now, though!) And yes, we do become more and more like our parents… Oh no, this is all too much now!
- Achievements
Getting myself and the 3 boys out the door on time every morning…and no longer being sooo painfully shy!!!
email: m.muellerArchitekt (at)t-online (dot)de
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