Beirut to Bahrain (Day 16)

We checked out of the hotel as a group, around 11am, and went to the airport. The Gulf Air flight to Bahrain was crowded and there was a fat, stinky, snoring man behind me. No backgammon either, dammit. We all checked into the Bahrain Sheraton together, then met back in the lobby for dinner at an Indian place across the way. After that a few of us hung out in the hotel bar, watching the Filipino band, fronted by four girls. Close your eyes and they actually sounded American. One actually pulled off Beyonce quite well. A smaller group then checked out the hotel club, which was largely empty. Four of us moved on to a place called BJ’s that was a short cab ride away. Between the four of us, we had American, Saudi, Egyptian, and Moroccan passports. BJ’s was packed, with westerners and western-looking locals. It felt like South Beach. It was great for people watching. We stayed ‘til close then went back to the hotel.

I found out later that Nasser has been telling people all night that the four of us are security for Sharon Stone. E__, who was with us earlier, looks remarkably like her, but with red hair. He has gotten the staff at the hotel club to believe this, and they are reserving us a table tomorrow during a big party event. Great. This should be interesting.