This kingdom, like the rest of the world, for some years has been facing the heat of international economic recession. Yet, being a true welfare state despite a narrowing national income, it is also thoughtful as to how best to comfort and ease the lives of ordinary people. It has never pulled back from extending more facilities to the masses, particularly the downtrodden, and kept on planning new projects.
However, like other parts of the world it also has considered how best to adopt austerity and reduce “waste” while keeping welfare schemes.
The Manama Post Office building in the heart of the capital, is a place to meet. People wanting to meet strangers or friends tell them to gather at Manama Post Office. It is really an icon.
After being closed for about two years for renovation, this building opened a few months back. It has been renovated giving it a new look with Bahraini traditional wooden doors, windows, verandas, etc. The part housing post boxes is very impressive, with a high ceiling making the inner atmosphere naturally cool.
However, on June 17, I skipped a heart beat, finding the post boxes section closed with a notice saying “Closed for Renovation”. I wondered how a newly renovated building needed any maintenance within months of its high-cost facelift.
&uuid=(email))