Summer is on the way and things are heating up

First, I'd like to direct you to give this post a read:
http://danandjillian3.blogspot.com/2011/03/tale-of-two-roundabouts.html? I am hoping that the two round-abouts is not an indication of negativity to come. Great blog. Many many thanks for your work. It is very much appreciated.

In the 'Dan and Jillian' blog, "Once the heat returns, how many of these protesters will be left?" Rather insightful. I hope that the horrid heat in the region, does help to calm things down.

I read the New York Times this morning. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/middleeast/16bahrain.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world Even though Bahrain is a major 'home' to the U.S. Navy, I don't really think there's much the States can do to help the situation. Granted, I don't know a thing about diplomacy but....it's an Arab country. Anytime the States meddles in an Arab country, it feels like people get angry and the situation gets worse. It is going to be very interesting to watch what happens now that other GCC countries are involved. The crazy question that I'd like to ask in all this....some countries are suggesting to their citizens to leave Bahrain. How can they? Can they get to the airport? Can they drive across into Saudi? I don't know. It just feels like once these types of notices come out from consulates, it is going to be difficult to leave.

So...thinking along those lines....what do you do as an ex-pat to prepare for an emergency? Hmmmmm... Here's my personal list....
1. Have cash on hand - local currency and 'hard currency' like dollars or euros.
2. Never let your gas tank get so low that you can't drive to the airport.
3. Keep a mental list (or written) of what to grab in case an airport run is necessary. For me, that's my laptop, a couple of photographs of my munchkins, printed copies of school records for the munchkins, and other important family documents.
4. Always keep a week's worth of food and water on-hand. Water gets tricky, but I always keep bottles stashed in my kitchen, just in case.
5. Maintain an international calling plan mobile phone based in your home country - a mobile that works in any country. Pricey? Yes, but only if you use it. And, it could be an important life-line.

Here's to hoping only the weather heats up more.

Peace.