Sabado Gloria (Glorious Saturday)

Among Filipino Catholics, the Saturday after Good Friday is called Sabado Gloria. I have forgotten why and I never really bothered. I feel the next day, Sunday, is more important, if not most important since it is Easter.

Here, in Bahrain, so much activities related to Easter are being promoted by many businesses. Alosra Hypermart (formerly Spenneys) even has an Easter Egg Hunt. All the Christian churches will have their dawn worship services tomorrow.

Yesterday, Good Friday, three Filipino entertainers did what they're expected to do - entertain. Funny but no one seemed to have bothered that the concert was on Good Friday! In fairness to the three - Frenchie Dy, Sheryn Regis and Troy Montero - they have nothing to do with the schedule. Friday is the weekend in most of the Middle Eastern states. I am not sure how many came to the show but if you are to believe the press release, it was sold out. However, one reporter actually quipped that it was a sell out. ;)

While the rest of the Christians in Bahrain were, hopefully, busy with Good Friday rituals, most of Bahrain were glued to the World Cup Qualifying match between Bahrain and North Korea. Of course, I am rooting for Bahrain!

Yesterday, I decided to go on another walking tour of the souqs of Manama. Sadly, I did not see new things other than more hustling form various nationals who are not used to seeing Filipinos walk the inner streets of Manama. Still, I would say it was a great walk if only for the health benefits it has afforded me.

I also dropped by the Yateem Centre in downtown Manama to check on the Bahrain Scrabble League. I arrived very late and I am not able to talk to any of the members. I di not bother to watch since I believe Scrabble is not an audience game. I don't want to pity myself for merely watching from the sides.

It was windy and cold yesterday so I decided not to walk to the corniche. Instead, I took a public transport to Budaiya, part of the northern governorate where I bought two pieces of falafels sandwiches. From the bus terminal, I watch with excitement as a very huge yellowish full moon started to rise in the horizon. I feel bad that I don't have a camera with me. It was a dramatic image. I have seen so many pictures about the subject but I never tried taking one myself.

Indeed, it was another day of meandering. I missed a shawarma though. The falafel is not a bad substitute. ;) But, all them would have been marvelous if I was with Jenn. ;)