Bahrain 2025 – Manama- By the beach
I’m sure it’s because of the hat. As in the book « The lover » by Marguerite Duras.
She’s wearing a male hat and this is what attracts his attention.
I’m wearing my brand-new Panama hat that a friend brought me directly from Ecuador.
As I am surrounded by women in hijab, niqab and black abaya, I feel uncomfortable to take off my beach coverup, thought the bikini is allowed – I checked the dress code with the security guard – I am the only one, so far, wearing one. I know other European ladies will show up later and that’s the point I will go for a swim.
I’m sitting on the sun bed, scrolling my phone screen and minding my own business.
« Hallo, how are you? »
All of the sudden, somebody comes to sit next to me.
I lift my head and look at him.
« Hallo. I’m good and you? »
« Are you from Britania? »
« No.»
« From Francia? »
« No.»
« Where are you from? »
« Italy.»
« Oh, Italy. Beautiful.»
« And you? »
« From Saudi Arabia.»
I remember my trip to Saudi Arabia last year. It was very beautiful.
His attitude is quite bold.
His friends look at us and laugh.
There must be a sort of challenge, like: «I will go and talk to her. »
He asks me if I have a boyfriend.
I lie and I say « Yes. »
I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t want also to attract too much attention. I don’t speak much.
Next time I have to remind myself to reply that my husband is in town for some business meetings and I’m waiting for him on the beach.
He takes my hat from my head and asks me if he can take a picture with it.
I nodd.
He goes to his friends with my hat, takes his picture, comes back to return it and says:
« Goodbye ».
I feel relieved.
At a first look, we have more or less the same age difference than Cher and his current boyfriend, so for the whole last of the conversation, I was afraid that his mum – who is probably my age or younger – would come to scold me.
I chill out for the rest of the day.
