Living Large in Bahrain

While in Bahrain, one of my goals has been to visit the American Ambassador’s residence. I have seen pictures of the residence because the American Woman’s Association has a coffee morning there every January.

However with little LW’s birth in 2015 and then his first birthday in 2016, I have not been able to go to the coffee morning with AWA in January. I was in Florida celebrating.

However, I finally achieved my goal.

AB, the Ambassador’s wife invited me to coffee – a personal coffee.

Wow!  What an honor it was.

I felt like Cinderella and kept pinching myself to make sure I was awake.

The entrance to the Ambassador's Residence is very impressive.

Along with me, AR (the Ambassador’s wife) invited DW (my good friend) and another very interesting American lady that just arrived in Bahrain, DC.



When we stepped into the entry hall I knew this was going to be a very memorable experience. The entry area was huge with the perfect impressive space for receiving important guests.

The staircase leading to the second level was impressive - MUCH MORE impressive than the pictures I have seen.

I could not help myself but to ask for a selfie in front of the massive stairs.

The residence is much nicer and far grander than I had imagined. AR has added some beautiful personal touches to the décor from her many travels all over the globe.  She and the Ambassador also chose some artwork for the walls created by American women.

The gardens were equally impressive. We sat in a beautiful gazebo and sipped coffee from gold edged cups with the American Eagle emblazoned on the delicate china.

Life is good and I am definitely living large.

The gardens were lovely with splashes of red, white and blue.

AR entertaining us in the gazebo.

As I sat listening to AR and the ladies visit, I could not help but feel proud of my heritage and to feel equally lucky that I was a citizen of the United States.

Along with those thoughts I kept thinking how absolutely wonderful it was right there at that very moment – the weather was absolutely perfect with a very slight breeze. I was enjoying myself with extremely interesting ladies sharing delicious sweets and strong coffee in the most beautiful of surroundings.

Along with the beautiful flowers, AR planted a kitchen garden.  I named this the Ambassador's Vegetable Garden. She also had many, many other fantastic vegetables throughout the garden beds.

DW with the Ambassador's wife in the garden. DW was completely enthralled with the plants. It was so, so, so much fun!

After a special morning and a fantastic tour of the residence and gardens, it was time to return to the real world.  As we walked down the front steps, I turned and captured a picture of the front doors of the residence.

I was about to turn away when DW pointed out the American Crest above the door.  I had almost missed it.

It was a wonderful morning and I will remember the honor of being entertained by the American Ambassador's wife at their residence in Bahrain for many, many, many years.  This will definitely be at the top of my wonderful memories of life in Bahrain.

Thank you so much, AR. You are so kind and I am so very proud to have you as a friend.

Cheers,
Brenda