Bahrain Booty

Even though Bahrain is right next door, there is something extra fun about being in a hotel, with my husband ALONE. He was sick most of the time, but it was great to visit for dinner and send him off with a kiss in the morning. I did very little on this trip. The hotel had an excellent gym so I worked out for two hours and then came back to the hotel to create more photobooks--my idea of a perfect day.

A typical taxi in Bahrain

It was especially exciting to see local Bahraini people really working. I mean real jobs. Like driving a taxi. After living in the UAE and Qatar, you expect that if a man is wearing a dishdasha he is only required to shop or work in government. It was good for the soul to see that there is less of a divide between 'us' and the local people.

Since we were still in the Gulf we did what all people are required to do-shop. The rank of your country is dependent on the size of your mall. If this is indeed true, Bahrain is better than Qatar. The BCC has everything you need, including an indoor swim park.
One thing that Axel is very thankful for is he has a great staff. Managing 4 countries isn't easy for him because he can't be present all the time. That is why he is grateful for staff members who he can count on. It was a pleasure to have lunch with two of his staff members. It was nice to put faces to the names. One afternoon I met one of Axel's staff and his family. His wife said she reads my blog (hi Bindiya!) and was inspired by my girlcation. If I can encourage more women to go on a girlcation every once and a while, this is all not in vain.

Truly, the highlight of the trip was carpet shopping. A couple of evenings Axel and I wandered 'carpet row' (or so I have nicknamed it) and played the haggling game. We didn't intend on really making a purchase, but we ended up flying home with 4 beautiful treasures.

The most impressive purchase we made was from this man. Axel and I felt like we played the game perfectly. We wanted to look at his 'small silks' because that is the next level for us. (Yes, there is a carpet hierarchy.) Collectively, he had some of the most beautiful carpets we had ever seen. Furthermore, when he threw out his highest quality Qum, Axel and I both looked at each other and immediately knew, 'That IS our carpet'. We both maintained our composure and said that we were hungry and we would return.

At that moment, we ran around the corner, grabbed an ice cream for dinner and began expressing our undying love for that carpet. We discussed our next strategy and walked back in the store knowing we wouldn't leave without buying it. In addition to the Qum (the Holy Grail of Persian carpets), I was very interested in getting a kilm runner (a less expensive rustic Afghani rug). This is how it was played when we returned:

Axel (in Arabic): I LOVE that Qum, but my wife isn't convinced. She doesn't know, but I really, really want that Qum carpet. She thinks it is too expensive. She is more interested in getting a kilm runner. I must have that Qum, but I don't think she will go for that price. Can you work with me on this?

Dealer: (in Arabic): Your wife doesn't know Arabic? She just wants a kilm? I don't know if I can move much further down the price, it is one of the best Qums I own.

Me: I really want a kilm runner, can you show me one?

The boys throw various kilms. One stuns me. It is, yet again, the highest quality (meaning the highest price). I pretend I am not that interested in any of them. I hum...I ahhh.. while Axel converses.

Axel (in Arabic): You have to come down in price. If you give me something reasonable, I can work with my wife on this. It is almost my birthday and I think I can convince her if you go lower than that.

Dealer (in Arabic): Okay, I can give you the kilm and the Qum for *blank*.

Axel (in Arabic): I will talk to her. (In English) Terah, we need to talk.

As we talk I give all the signs that I am distraught, saying statements like, "We can't afford that!"; "That is the price of a small car!"; "That is a trip to Malta and Cypress"; "I would only be convinced if it was *blank*. Otherwise, give it a month, maybe you will come back. I don't even really like it."

Axel (in Arabic): You've got to help me. My wife said she will only do it if we get both the kilm and the Qum for *blank*. If you do it, I can buy the carpet right now. If not, I won't be able to come back until next month. By then, she will change her mind completely and not let me buy any carpet. PLEASE give it to me for *blank *. Please?

At that point, reluctantly, he agrees. The purchase is made and he drives us back to our hotel. The entire time I feel like I deserve an Academy Award for my performance. I wanted that carpet sooooo badly I could die. It was hard to show distain and play the opposing force, but if it saved us almost a thousand bucks, totally worth it.

Here are our prizes. The blue one is the coveted Qum. You can't see its glory quite yet. It deserves a blog all on its own. It is our 5th child. The rest are to be pooped and peed on, but the Qum will line my casket. I swear.