What we need now is to get Steve to come over! Please? You’ll really enjoy yourself here, the weather, the people and the many things you can do as well might surprise you.
A welcome visitor
Mahmood's Den
An Arab man's attempt at bridging the cultural gap and trying to make a difference. Failing a lot. Succeeding once in a while.
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Re: A welcome visitor
I don’t need much notice really, so just shout out a couple of day beforehand and I’m sure we can arrange something!
A welcome visitor
No Fair! I want to go do the shawarma thing with you guys!
And I tried to get Mark to jump the puddle and come to Doha but his schedule seems set. The offer stand for any of you Islanders if you want to set your feet on the mainland — and still be able to have beer, unlike in Saudi — come on over!
BTW, Huda sent just the BCC announcement for this wed.’s film — one I would love to bring my class, too but the notice was too late. I have Blackboards but haven’t seen this one. I do have a group of 5, though, who would like to come for a film showing after eid. One is from there and we would all stay at her house for at least the one night. How much in advance to you make up the schedule so we can see if it is feasible?
My biggest Salaams to Mark and best wishes for a wonderful visit.
Salaam,
PM
Re: A welcome visitor
I accept! We can even have a Dangerfield Film Festival — but we probably won’t get “no respect”…. yuck! yuck!
And I would like to have a co-appointment as Minister of Edu-macation…. 😉
Salaam,
PM
Re: A welcome visitor
That’s not fair, I don’t want to be the Minister of Fun, I want to be the Minister of Frivolity instead, can I change? I know this one has more perks and a better health plan!
A welcome visitor
Your religious Eminence Mullah Steve Spinstani,
USD 177 MM for Bahrain? Assuming we have 600,000 inhabitants – you are talking about a measly $300 per head … and there is not even an allowance for goodwill!
You have got your valuations all wrong your eminence .. you might be able to sell Texas for that amount, but not our beloved isle that has front seats for the show of the century .. 😉
Re: A welcome visitor
I was hoping to avoid paying retail prices seeing as I’d be buying in volume. I was hoping for a discounted wholesale price. Maybe I’ll just have to settle for a vast swath of land where I can establish my massive Pleasure Dome.
Steve
Re(1): A welcome visitor
OK, OK. Sheesh! I come up with a brilliant plan and everyone wants to change it already. Mahmood, I’m changing your portfolio from Fun to Frivolity. Jasra, you’re the Minister of Fun, now. We want to see some gargantuan state-sponsored Aswan Dam-sized projects along these lines.
Steve
Re(1): A welcome visitor
OK, PM, we could use some edumacation. But let’s keep it light, OK? I’m thinking History Channel stuff. No differential equations. No Beowulf.
Steve
A welcome visitor
OK, I have five tickets to the Powerball lottery tonight for $177 million. If I win, I will fly out to the Middle East and buy Bahrain, paid in cash. I will then institute the Ayatollah Steve’s theocracy. My first act will be to declare National Shawarma day: Free shawarmas for everyone! And some Diet Cokes to wash them down. Every Bahraini will be issued a bottle of KC Masterpiece mesquite barbecue sauce as an introduction to fine Texan dining. Civilization begins at the dinner table, you know.
Other changes may be forthcoming but I may be having too much fun to think of them. In fact, I will establish a theocracy of Fun, appointing Mahmood as the Minister of Fun. He looks like a jovial sort who might have some talent for this post. I will make Jasra my Minister of Everything Else, with a special portfolio in Mockery. I’m not encouraging her, understand, just giving her a chance to get it out of her system. Peacefulmuslimah will be the Minister of Cinema. Your first assignment is to find DVDs of “Caddyshack” and “Back to School” as a memorial to Rodney Dangerfield, who just passed away. Boy, was he funny.
That’s the plan.
Steve
A welcome visitor
Yes, many thanks to Mahmood and Frances for hosting us at this first Bahrain bloggers shawarma night! I’m sure there will be many more in the future with more people to join us next time (Steve!).
Our homework before the next meeting is to find out (for Mark) why none of the shawarma joints serve shawarmas during the day time.
Many thanks again Mahmood for having us over!
– Chan’ad
A welcome visitor
I am so TOTALLY jealous that you guys are staging the Great Bahraini Bloggers Shawarma Taste Test without me! But I have to ask — can a place called Burgerland really make a decent shawarma??? 😉
Now the deal here about the evening shawarmas is because they say it takes so long to roast that giant mystery meat torpedo that one would have to get by 8:00 AM in order to make the lunch crowd. And I have yet to meet the Turk or Syrian who wants to get up that early! 🙂
If you’ll all just hop a boat and cross the pond, we can see if my favorite Doha Dives and Shawarma Shacks have anything on Burgerland….
Salaam,
PM
A welcome visitor and shawarmas
Last night I had the pleasure to host bonsaimark and chan’ad for dinner, which of course was shawarmas from BurgerLand! Wonderful time was had by all I think, especially that Frances cared to join us as well.
We ate, drank and toasted you all, and remembered just about every regular to both Mtv and CB.
I hope that we can do this thing again, it was a fun night.
One thing though, we forgot to ask Mark which was better: Burgerland or GrillLand’s shawarmas?
A welcome visitor
Hi there,
Didn’t know that one has to register to comment nowadays! Mahmood, was just wondering why don’t you and Mark pop in at the launch of my book on the 21st at Booksplus? Would be nice to meet you guys.
Let me know if you can.
Cheers,
Re: A welcome visitor
Anyone up for a little trip to Doha via a Dhow to taste test shawarma’s and meet PM? Shall we start the 1st annual GCC Shawarma Traveling Taste test contest?
A welcome visitor
[quote]One thing though, we forgot to ask Mark which was better: Burgerland or GrillLand’s shawarmas? [/quote]
Well, hmmmmmm….After a night and partial day of thought I think a slight edge for best shawarma goes to BURGERLAND, but not by much…. Now since I could WALK to GrillLand and I need to drive to Burgerland, I will eat more GrillLand shawarmas. Now when I drive by Burgerland I will dine on those delicate tastey treats! (insert picure of Homer Simpson)
I would like to publicly THANK Mahmood and Francis (and the dogs!)for opening their home to us. Too Chan’ad for braving the long dark winding roads to Mahmood’s house so we could all meet and for the ride back home! I had a GREAT time and YES Mahmood we will do this again and again and again! Next time at my home away from home.
ciao bello!
Mark
ps Steve… I dined on a shawarma this morning for breakfast in your honor.
Re(4): A welcome visitor
W’salaam PM,
Glad to hear you might be visiting our shores! The Burgerland case really is quite bizarre. Their burgers are (in my opinion) quite terrible… well actually, I haven’t had a burger from Burgerland since I was about 7 years old I think. However people flock to the Burgerland outlets around the island to just to get their shawarmas. They probably thought about renaming the company “Shawarmaland”, but the “Burgerland” brand already has such customer loyalty that they are probably don’t want to take the risk of a change.
I’m not sure what is so good about Burgerland shawarmas… their meat isn’t as tender, or their bread as soft as you can get at other joints… but their mayo/tahina sauce has some secret ingredient which makes it irresistible… and the fresh mint leaves they add makes it just perfect…. mmmm… shawarma…
Hmm, I think I will have to do shawarma documentary post on my blog soon, coz there are actually several different schools of shawarma philosophy on the island. There’s the syrian/turkish school which is the most prevalent I believe. There’s the Indian style where the shawarma is wrapped in a paratha rather than pita bread, and lot’s of chilli sauce is added. There’s the Riffa’ style in which the meat is cooked “3la fa7m” (grilled on coal), it is wrapped in a very thin tortilla type bread and then re-grilled afterwards. And there’s also the malgooba style shawarma that you can get in Adliya and other places….mmmm
time to stop writing and go eat…
PM! hope you can make it!
Re(5): A welcome visitor
OK — now I am really hungry!
4 schools of shawarma making? I will have to try them all eventually! The Indian style sounds quite interesting, too. I love my chili sauce 😉
I’m waiting to hear about the film and then will book my ticket on Monday, if I can get a late night return to Doha. Someone should check with Mark and see if he can join us on Wednesday evening, too. Anybody else?
Salaam,
PM
Re(6): A welcome visitor
I’m waiting to get the schedule from the BCC, should get that tonight or tomorrow morning and will let you know. But don’t let that keep you from reserving your ticket, no matter what movie it is, it’s going to be good because you’re going to be with us!
Re(7): A welcome visitor
Ok, I’ll take care of it.
Does it seem just a little eccentric to hop on a plane and go to another country just to get a shawarma?
I can tell I am in good company 😉
Salaam,
Lisa
Re: A welcome visitor
Hi Ali
We had a problem with comment spammers, hence the need to register to comment. Inconenient I know, but that’s the only way available at the moment to slow them down at least.
As for the book launch, I am sure that we both will be thrilled to be there and get a signed copy! I don’t know how long Mark is staying though, but if he’s still here by then, then it’s a deal!
Looking forward to it!
Re(1): A welcome visitor
Yes!
The weather is just getting nice. I’ll gas up the caddy and pick you all up at the docks! Just tell me when and where 🙂
I’ll start working on my list of contestants 😉
Salaam,
PM
Gulf Bloggers Shawarma Fest
Mark you’re starting a trend here! I like!
Re(2): A welcome visitor
Why not you come over? School’s still on? How about a weekend?
I’ve got a lot more travelling between now and the end of November that I’m getting sick of it. When Friday comes I just want to vegitate at home. Of course, shawarmas can take me out of this lethargy! 🙂
Re(3): A welcome visitor
Well, I can come over. School is on but I only teach on Sunday (all day), Tuesday AM and Thursday AM. I know, I am spoiled 😉
What’s the film on Wednesday? If I can catch a late flight back, I can come for the film and shawarmas at Burgerland — although it is still hard for me to believe a place called Burgerland can make a decent shawarma…. 😉
Let me know.
Salaam,
PM
Re(4): A welcome visitor
Sheesh, can I have a job like that please?! 😉
I’ll check what the movie is and let you know.
Re(8): A welcome visitor
Elvis did it. He would hop on his plane for a peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich. If Elvis did it, it must be OK.
Steve
Re(1): Bummer!
Thanks Mahmood for finally fixing up the website!
A welcome visitor
Meanwhile I am sitting here with a lemonade shandy..
… and a packet of crisps…
… crying.
Meggie
Bummer!
I just found out that my residency permit has expired and I had to send my passport off to renew. If I left the country now, I wouldn’t be able to get back in and you would be stuck with me 😀 I don’t know if I can get it back by Wednesday but am trying to put the squeeze on our PRO. Stay tuned for updates…
Salaam,
PM
Re: Bummer!
Looks like it’s going to be tight for me too, I have to be in Dubai tomorrow and coming back Wednesday night. I’m trying to see if I can change that to come back in the afternoon so if it happens we can meet and watch a movie together! Let me know if you are successful with your passport.
Still waiting for the schedule.
Your pushing and our discussion on film etc has prompted me to at last do something with the Club’s website!
Wednesday night movie
Got it, the movie on Wednesday night is Ayam el-Sadat (Days of el-Sadat).
It’s a three hour documentary on the life of the late Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat.
That should be a bit excruciating and I don’t fancy siting there for 3 hours watching it. How about the Cinema instead? Unless of course you prefer to watch el-Sadat?
Re(1): Bummer!
Ok. I personally put my passport in the hand of our PRO and told him how important it was I get it back by Tuesday PM. Er…. I didn’t mention the shawarmas but said there was a film society meeting on the neighboring isle…. 😉
He had already done me a huge favor getting some DVDs for my Women in Film Seminar from customs. They didn’t want to let them go out of their grubby little hands (Mira Nair’s “Kama Sutra” and Chantal Ackerman’s “La Captive”). In fact, he had to go to the all the way to the top and the director asked him if he had a girlfriend he was showing the movies to!!! 😀 Our PRO told him no, that one of the profs showed them to the students at the uni, which really made his eyes bulge. But he had to let them come through since they are coming to the uni….
Glad to see the cinema site is up and if not Wednesday this week, sometime soon, insha’Allah.
Salaam,
PM
Salaam,
PM
Re: Wednesday night movie
How dreadful! In that case I won’t feel so bad if I don’t get my passport back!
A welcome visitor
Just want to publicly express my appreciation to Mahmood again for his hospitality during my visit to Bahrain.
Sadly I have returned to America. Don’t read I don’t LOVE my native country. I do, But Bahrain has a certain “magic” that once under your skin is hard to shake. Dubai may have more glitz, Bahrain has SOUL…..
I missed last year due to some medical issues (still not 100%) and what a differences in the country in a year and half or so. Grill Land has changed their name to something I can’t pronounce but the menu inside still reads GRILL Land and the food tastes the same. For the first time I inhaled shawarma from Burgerland. Good shawarma too. The construction all over the Island is UNBELIEVABLE. Manama has a SKYLINE and a GROWING one at that. The F1 track is a SIGHT to see. I had the pleasure to take a ride around the track and I was IMPRESSED. For the first time I went to the Isa Town Souk. I loved it. Bought a thobe as well. I walked a bit around Manama and soaked up the sun, from Mahmood’s PLUSH office suite to AMH. Love those DQ burgers and Ice Cream! This list could go on and on. As usual the adage of “not enough time and too many things to do” is needed. Every year I say I am going horseback riding and for some reason I don’t. One simply cannot get bored in Bahrain It is not an expensive place to visit and if your looking for a new place to take your vacation give Bahrain a try. For those who waffle on about being “safe”. There are FEW places in the world that are safer than Bahrain.
So now I have to fire up the wood stove to stay warm. Damn New England weather. Well at least I am tanned up a bit and as usual like Arnold would say… “I’ll be back”
Re: A welcome visitor
Dear Mark,
I am so glad you enjoyed your trip to Bahrain! I am sure you can see why I consider myself fortunate to have grown up there!
And mad props for pointing out the difference between us and Dubai-bye-land (i’m working on it, people)
Too bad you missed the blogger meet-up, that would have been wicked awesome.
Till your next trip,
Il’all’iqa fil’ Bahrain! Insha’allah!