Summoned today to meet his Excellency the Ambassador of Iraq to Bahrain.
A most pleasing fellow, whom I am sad to report was wealthy beyond the needs of an expatriate savings plan. Notwithsanding his commensurate English and his fulsome career, it transpires he is a an Arabian painter of some note - whose own abstract paintings hang in his office at the embassy.
Regardless, he serves me Turkish coffee and proceeds to offer me his own brochure of achievement. His work is truly stunning, and I offer to buy something should I make make enough in the next lifetime. I gather he earns over $600,000 for each new work when he sells them to the investment houses out here. A true star in Arabia. And I am now in hock for another mortage.
Don't believe anything you are told about Iraqis - this man was ahead of the game.
His name is Ghassan Muhsin and it is worth checking the web for his paintings catalogue. I know nothing of Arabian art, but this guy's pictures are bright, bold and indicative of the Arab world: we are now firm friends. Sand didn't feature too heavily in his art, and he wants to retire in Bahrain. I left him at this juncture.
I then proceeded to the World of Construction, which the Bahrainis clearly feel is an alternative to Disneyland Paris. In one respect they are correct - it is funnier - but only if you believe that tourists will be pleased to arrive at their hotel to find more sand than they wanted piled against their front door. Brother Steve will be glad to know that Faber Maunsell has an excellent reputation among the Filipino community here, but I can assure him that they want to check out their critical illness policies. Dangerous sites here appear to be the norm: super-dangerous sites are more like Alton Towers - sans harness.
I should have mentioned property, but there is always another day.
Salaam.
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