Juffair: from barren land to skyscrapers

Manama

When I got first in Bahrain in June 2002, Juffair was nothing but when I came here for the third time in 2013, I was astonished to see the land had turned into a Dubai like city, said Lt Larron White, a Navy Security Officer at the US Base in Bahrain yesterday in an exclusive interview with DT News.

Larron White, who hails from Atlanta Georgia, joined US Navy in 1992. He has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University. He is a seasoned military man who had been to more than twenty countries including UAE, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Maldives, Columbia, Nicaragua, Salvador, Dominican Republic and Panama.  As he is leaving for Singapore in two weeks, DT News is sharing his experience during his service term in the Kingdom.

Mr White said that Juffair was then a deserted place where nobody would like to work in. “There might be ten hotels maximum, outdated roads, no streets and no traffic lights, only a deserted place,” he said. Nobody used to live in Juffair then.

Everybody preferred to live in Galali, Isa Town, Hamad Town and Manama.

He said that he lived there for one year. By the time he came back in 2009, Juffair had grown into a big city with streets, traffic lights, hotels and flats everywhere.

“When I stayed in Juffair, I had a very nice flat not far from base. I stayed here for fifteen months and left in 2010.” He said.

Mr. White said when he came in 2013, Juffair had evolved to become a city like Dubai – with beautiful streets, flats, apartments and high class hotels.

He said that the culture of Bahrain was steadily evolving and every time he left and came back he saw something different. “What keeps me coming to Bahrain is its culture. I love the way we interacted,” he said, “the local people welcomed us with open arms. I never had a negative interaction here. I used to go to Arabic class in 2010 and I learned a little Arabic which I forgot.”

He said that the inhabitants were learning their culture. “We have Bahrainis at the base. We have a very good relation with the Bahraini government, coastguards, BDF and Bahraini Navy. It is a one joint effort to keep peace in this area,” he added.

Mr. White said that in 2003 when he started a motorcycle club here, then there were not many motorcycles here. Now you look around and there are hundreds of motorcycles here, he said.

He said that Bahrain was a nice place to live - the location is perfect and the weather is not that bad.  The cost of living is great and the quality of life is outstanding. The accessibility to fly to Dubai, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and other important places is excellent. Everybody likes to come to Bahrain for connecting flights. 

He added that he loved the direction Bahrain was moving. He said that Bahrain was a hub of nationalities where one culture did not influence the other and all the cultures go together making Bahrain what it is.

He said that it is an Arabic country but westernized. No restrictions on dress code and freedom of speech. Everybody have to be mindful and respectful. “Bahrain is not different than Spain or France,” said Mr. White.

He said that the most important person he met in Bahrain was Sheikh Kooheji, an unforgettable personality. He is very interesting, nice and open person. “I am from Atlanta Georgia and when we met he told me about his trip to Atlanta,” he said.