Bahrain This Month - October 2020

TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - TRAVEL

Since 1997

October 2020 | Vol. 24

| Issue 10 | BD2 / SR20

YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

DINING

Where to eat this October The Best Luxury Ice cream in the Middle East

MOTORING The Car Buying Pandemic

PEOPLE Mohsen Faleejim on his brave battle with cancer

WTM

Ebrahim Dahood Nonoo chats about the Bahrain-Israel Agreement

From Corporate to Creative – Marushka Almeida

Discovering fluid art with Salman Fouad Kamal

Fashionable leather this season Beauty Essentials

Florencia Chaldu tells us about her artisanal gelato brand

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Arts

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Nightlife

Digital Edition

This

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THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton

Bahrain This Month October 2020

Editor Farah Baig Contributors Behnaz Sanjana, Kristian Harrison, Dick Potter, Sangeeth Mullassery, Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Victoria Teo Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed

Welcome to our October digital edition, we hope all our readers are staying safe. This month the region is adapting and is on the road to recovery from the challenges presented by the current outbreak – slowly but surely.

Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Hatem Monem

The Kingdom achieved a milestone in its clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine when 6000 volunteers signed up for the trials, inspired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister who also volunteered.

Webmaster Nishad Eapen Photography Editor Muna Yousef

This month, we caught up with numerous prolific personalities including a young Bahraini, Mohsen Faleejim, who has inspired thousands across the Kingdom in a tell-all video. Mohsen, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, shares his experience from his diagnosis to his source of strength with us.

Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa

We also had the opportunity to speak to the head of Bahrain’s Jewish Community and Shura Council member, Ebrahim Dahood Nonoo, who shared his insight on the historic Bahrain-Israel agreement which took place in September.

Corporate Affairs Director Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar

Our other interviews this month shone a light on creativity in two very diverse forms with Salman Fouad Kamal who told us about his unique fluid art, and Florencia Chaldu who has a passion for creating authentic, mouth-watering gelato!

Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales ANURADHA MANHAS anuradha@redhousemarketing.com

In our Motoring section, Dick Potter who just got back from a trip to the UK shares his first-hand experience with cyclists…who didn’t necessarily create the best of impressions. On the other hand, Sangeeth Mullassery tells us what he thinks car dealerships can do to improve customers’ buying experiences. Another significant event in the world of Motoring in the region is the launch of the 2021 Mercedes E-class sedan which we were able to attend at The Avenues-Bahrain.

DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Executive Farah Baig Art & Animation Director Hatem Monem Videography Danny Sokov

We have a soft spot for writers, so our Woman This Month interviewee is a former Bahrain resident, Marushka Almeida, who tells us about her transition from the corporate field to creative writing. Giving us all a bit of a wake-up call is Victoria Teo who quite literally wears her thoughts on her sleeves when it comes to plastic pollution. As always, you’ll get a first-hand look at some of the best fashion trends, accessories and beauty essentials too!

Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain

We’re sure you’ll enjoy this issue, and if you want more of the same don’t forget to subscribe and follow us on our official social media accounts while doing so! Until next month, remember: you can always count on Your Guide to a Great Way of Life.

Published monthly by

RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.

• Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month.

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George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

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October 2020 5

24

CONTENTS ISSUE 278

14

OCTOBER

8

00 31

INTERVIEWS

8 10

Mind, Body and Soul The story of a young Bahraini, Mohsen Faleejim, battling cancer

Welcoming Change Head of Bahrain’s Jewish Community, Ebrahim Dahood Nonoo on the Bahrain-Israel agreement

14

A Splash of Creativity

15

The Inside Scoop

Exploring Fluid Art with Salman Fouad Kamal

Florencia Chaldu on her love for authentic Gelato!

MOTORING

00

52

WOMAN THIS MONTH CONTENTS

Fashion

44

A twist on the classic trend- Leather

46

Accessories that take you from Fun to Fierce

Interview

52

Marushka Almeida on going from Corporate to Creative

Beauty

50

21

My Life in Cars

24

The Car Buying Pandemic

22

Motoring Bites

Here’s what Dick Potter has to say about cyclists, and it’s not all good!

How car dealerships can improve a customer’s experience.

How car dealerships can improve a customer’s experience.

Lifestyle

54

Autumn-inspired Interiors

56

Opinion

www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth www.bahrainthismonth.com

The latest Skincare and Makeup products

54

Are we becoming Plastic?

bhthismonth

COMMERCE

28 31

Business Bites The Power of a Crowd Pria Masson Tanwar gives us an insight into crowdfunding October 2020 7

interview

MIND, BODY and

SOUL THE STORY OF A YOUNG BAHRAINI BATTLING CANCER

Receiving a devastating medical-diagnosis can, undoubtedly, be mentally and emotionally draining for most. However, there are some that prove that strength and resilience are more than just skin-deep, running through our hearts and giving us the undying will to live. This couldn’t be truer than in the case of 27-year-old Mohsen Faleejim, who recently received a cancer diagnosis, but made waves across social media in Bahrain with his tell-all video about his diagnosis and consequential treatment.

Mohsen, better known as ‘Falee’, owns and runs a thriving fitness business in the Financial Harbour known as the Discipline Sports Academy. “I’d started my career as an Aircraft Engineer but always wanted to share my knowledge of fitness with others. Hence, at the academy, we use calisthenics as our main sport to get people fit and healthy while educating people of what our bodies are capable of. We have since grown to have over 100 members between the age of five and seventy,” he said, adding that he loves teaching what he calls “monkey business” which grabs people’s attention and makes them love staying fit.

THE DIAGNOSIS

“I started feeling proper symptoms about a year and a half ago but always felt like it was another stomach disorder.”

Despite his healthy lifestyle, Mohsen was sadly diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors Stage 4 (DSRCT) in May this year. “As time went by, I started getting more and more bloated in the belly with symptoms including nausea, unexplained heat running throughout my body, lack of sleep and energy,” he said, speaking about the experience.

According to Mohsen, DSRCT is a type of soft-tissue sarcoma which causes multiple tumors to form in the abdomen and pelvis area.

“Since July 7th, I have been receiving treatment in Germany and have finished a few cycles of chemo-therapy,” he added.

8 October 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

THE RESPONSE

Since his diagnosis, Mohsen posted insightful videos about his diagnosis, treatment and more on his Instagram account which received well over 60,000 views with the numbers growing daily. This was in addition to a post highlighting his partnership with a Bahraini sportswear brand, Valour Apparel, in a campaign to raise funds which will go towards the cost of his treatment.

“I partnered with Valour Apparel to design a shirt that raises awareness and builds hope for those fighting cancer. The yellow ribbon stands for Sarcoma and the message is simply to live. In addition to helping me raise money to help with my treatment, we intend to reach a goal where I would be able to support and contribute to other cancer patients,” he said.

“The response to the collaboration has been surreal!

Everyone has been helpful and gone beyond what I have initially thought of. That I truly appreciate as it is sweet and generous of them,” he added.

THE COMMUNITY

Cancer patients face several challenges on their journey back to good health and Mohsen believes that people could help ease their pain in a lot of different ways. “I do not think we need a shoulder to cry on but instead need hope, love and support. We have many things to do as cancer patients and being helped with our hospital visits, appointments or simple things such as going to the grocery store and bringing us what we need,” he said.

Since cancer patients normally go through huge changes, and in essence have to stop their lives, people can help with finances in whatever way they can. “It’s not just about the treatment being sponsored. Most importantly, our mental health and the way we feel. Positivity, laughter and a stress-free treatment is priceless,” he said.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Mohsen hopes to grow the Discipline Academy community to help him put a smile on other patients’ face as well. “I hope people can learn to not be afraid of cancer and understand that it can be beaten. To be more aware of what it is like to be a cancer patient so they could better help a cancer fighter. Maybe even do a nice gesture for a random person and think of what they would need if they were in their shoes,” he said.

“My goal now is to first overcome this, then spread awareness not just about fitness but health and wellness in general,” he concluded.

HIS STRENGTH

“The biggest change has been getting used to not being able to live as normal as I did while the greatest challenge is leaving everything behind, and focusing on recreating myself,” he said.

Mohsen draws strength from talking to survivors, being inspired by people’s stories and learning from friends and family to cope with and overcome the challenges he faces. “My wife, wanting to live for her and her support is my biggest motivator. I stay positive because I am not afraid and have faith. I have an army of people being there for me and couldn’t be more thankful,” he said. www.bahrainthismonth.com

If you would like to order your Valour t-shirts, contact Discipline Academy through Instagram using the handle @academydiscipline. T-shirts would be pre-orders and delivered in October. To reach out to Mohsen to share your stories or chat, you may reach him on @faleenation on Instagram.

October 2020 9

Community News

WELCOMING CHANGE On September 11, 2020 the Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement, officially known as the Abraham Accords: Declaration of Peace, Cooperation, and Constructive Diplomatic and Friendly Relations, was officially announced. The agreement aims to normalize diplomatic and other relations between Bahrain and Israel and was welcomed by numerous communities around the world.

Following the agreement, Bahrain This Month spoke to Ebrahim Dahood Nonoo - member of the Shura Council in Bahrain since 2001 and Head of Bahrain’s Jewish Community.

First and foremost, is this agreement between Israel and Bahrain a peace deal as such, or is it a normalization of relations?

I would assume it’s more like a normalization of relations, meaning people being able to travel back and forth between the two countries and also having the opportunities to perhaps have bank accounts in reciprocal countries, and be able to conduct any investments that they might want to.

How long has the Jewish community been resident in Bahrain and how did they come to be here in the first place?

10 October 2020

The Jewish community came to Bahrain roughly in the last years of the 19th century.

The first known case of Jews coming from Iraq was Mr. Salah Yahya. He came over in roughly the 1860s or the 1870s. What happened in Bahrain at that time was that it was an important trading post between Europe and India because the goods used to come through Bahrain. Now, it was well known also that Bahrain had work available. So, whether it was labour-oriented work that was available, Iraqi Jews, who were essentially kind of misfits in their own country and uncomfortable living in Iraq, were the first to start coming to Bahrain

to find alternative employment.

By the twenties and thirties, there was a group of about 800 Jews, all working in Manama which was the trading center of Bahrain.

How large is the Jewish community in Bahrain now?

Well, the number ranges between about 30 to 70 - it’s very much seasonal because the Jews all have second homes everywhere else. So, at any one time, I cannot tell you how many Jews that are in Bahrain, but I can tell you it’s roughly 50.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Community News

So, when were you, or the Jewish community aware of the serious negotiations underway to establish ties with Israel?

We can only say that when we heard the news about the UAE, we were stumped, we really were. At that time, we figured out that maybe we’d be next in Bahrain. So, we had an inkling at that time that Bahrain was going to come onboard next. Whether it was going to be Saudi or Oman wasn’t clear, but it became a real surprise for us and a great surprise. We were all very thrilled.

Is there any indication yet when there’s likely to be a Bahrain mission in Israel and vice-versa?

At the moment no, but there is probably a roadmap that they’re going to be working on.

I’m sure it’s going to happen. It’s going to take a bit of time but I’m sure they’re working on it straight away. I have received many calls already from Israel about people who want to come visit. The children of the families that left in the fifties, would probably love to come back here to see where their parents lived, because some of their houses are still around in Manama. We also have a community cemetery where a number of their relatives are buried. I’ve had a lot of calls from people who have a connection with Bahrain, who would love to come back here as soon as they can. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Which business sectors do you believe would be most likely to benefit from this new relationship?

Agriculture, definitely with hydroponics and they have a very good fish farming technology, so they will benefit. The other segment is AI; they’ve got robotic systems that do window cleaning for buildings, they’ve got robotic systems that do other things. I’m sure that’s a good sector to come and work.

Does this move risk further exacerbating the already present tensions between some of the Kingdom’s more fractious opposition groups?

I think, in a way, it’s very much a question of give and take. People have to give and take.

The idea that we have so many religions, so many cultures living here in a very small area is a surprise to a lot of people. We all have two types of mentalities: the public mentality and our private mentality. Now, you in your private mentality can fit in whatever you like, whatever ideology you have in it, whatever ideas you have in your private life or in your private mind. Well, that’s up to you. Nobody’s going to tell you anything on the public level. You have to respect other people’s existence, other people’s decisions; you have to be polite to

exist in the public level.

And I think that public mentality has been shown to work on the basis that we expect you to allow coexistence with everybody else. So, it’s no good for one group telling us, «Oh, you know, we were totally opposed to you for this and all that.” Well, we’re on a public level as well. So, we deserve to have the same kind of coexistence.

What do you expect to be the long-term benefits for both countries?

The Israelis, when they get to grips with being able to focus on investment in a country, they will allow Bahrain to benefit from anything new that’s coming out in Israel and from their research. I would assume just like in the solar technology field, I would imagine that they would be able to give us before giving anybody else the ability to either set up laboratories here or to set up in a way in which Bahrain can benefit. In other words, more like a training center for Bahrainis. The one thing that we’re all looking forward to is at least some jobs for the Bahrainis that will be decent, good jobs that reflect what they’ve been studying for.

October 2020 11

MADE IN BAHRAIN Community News

THE CULTURAL INITIATIVE AIMS TO ENHANCE BAHRAIN’S CIVILIZATIONAL IDENTITY

T

he Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27 with the launch of ‘Made in Bahrain’- an exciting initiative which aims to highlight the identity of handicrafts and traditional industries as a form of cultural expression.

The exciting initiative also aims to establish these industries and their products as an extension of civilizational expression reflecting the Kingdom of Bahrain’s cultural identity.

Through the initiative, BACA will establish a national cultural brand that restores cultural identities in context of daily life in Bahraini society, emphasizing the importance of handicrafts as part of Bahrain’s identity that will be invested in and culturally exported to the world. BACA has announced that the first batch of ‘Made in Bahrain’ products will be issued soon.

The Kingdom’s traditional crafts and handicrafts will be introduced, deepening awareness of these human and social practices at the local, regional and global levels, in addition to progressing these traditional Bahraini products with modern and contemporary elements. This ensures that the Kingdom’s sustainable cultural industries are promoted locally and abroad encouraging artisans working in

12 October 2020

these crafts to continue their practices so that they are passed onto future generations.

President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Her Excellency Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said: “BACA is committed to Bahrain’s culture in order to enhance the Kingdom’s cultural identity and ancient history in order to create promising developmental opportunities.”

Bahrain’s traditional crafts, practiced by men and women alike, includes the crafting of intricately decorated wooden boxes, shipmaking, weaving, pottery, palm leaves crafts, kurar, traditional costumes, engraving on gypsum, nakda and more.

“The Kingdom of Bahrain is peculiar and unique in its cultural components. Its traditional crafts, cultural places, archaeological sites and historical architectural features offer a basic infrastructure to manufacture a distinct cultural tourism. Our role is investing in these elements to portray the most beautiful picture of Bahrain and to elevate our sustainable products, one of our cultural assets, to be shared with the rest of the world.”

The launch of the ‘Made in Bahrain’ initiative was marked with the broadcasting of the Chinese Macau Orchestra concert on its channel on YouTube. “The central role Bahrain plays in cultural work globally is reflected between the ‘Made in Bahrain’ project that promotes traditional crafts as a tributary for sustainable development, and the Chinese Macau Orchestra at the Bahrain National Theater,” she said.

The launch of the ‘Made in Bahrain’ initiative comes several days after the conclusion of the Second National Forum for Intangible Cultural Heritage which shed light on elements of intangible heritage like fashion and textiles, which are all part of Bahrain’s traditional crafts.

The traditional industries and crafts in the Kingdom represent one of the most important elements of intangible heritage, which are exceptional material investments due to the specificity of each region, and the impacts of the social and geographical environment, natural resources and other aspects.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

THE INSIDE SCOOP

We all love our fair share of dessert, and what better way to satisfy a sweet tooth than with a luxurious scoop of ice cream? So, you can imagine our pure happiness when we caught steam of Bahrain’s very own artisanal ice cream brand, Florencia Ice Cream awarded ‘The Best Luxury Ice Cream in the Middle East’ in the 2020 Luxury Lifestyle Awards.

We got the inside scoop from the lovely lady behind the luxurious icecream, Florencia Chaldu, who told us what drove her passion to create the delectable treats. “Growing up in Argentina, we lived in the same neighborhood as an Italian couple who served delicious, freshly- made ice cream that I greatly enjoyed. After I married my husband, we moved across the globe often and we desperately looked for that old-fashioned, flavourful gelato everywhere; but it was hard to find,” she explained.

Her quest for that familiar gelato, led Florencia to expand her knowledge in ice cream making so she took courses in Italy and Argentina. “Creativity, art and food have always been great passions of mine, so once we fully

settled here in Bahrain, I finally decided to open up my own ice cream shop, inspired by that delicious childhood memory of mine,” she said.

“All the flavours are made by me.

Making Ice cream is like art, so most of my flavor combinations are inspirations that I get and execute till I’m satisfied with the results,” she added.

All of Florencia’s ice cream is handmade the old-fashioned way, with every batch freshly made with natural ingredients, no artificial substances, no added flavors, and no preservatives. “All ingredients are of high quality, selectively picked from places around the world like Argentina, Madagascar, Holland, Italy, the Middle East,” she explained.

After years of hard work and dedication, Florencia beams at the thought of the brand’s recent accomplishment. “Getting recognition for all the hard work is always a great feeling! We at Florencia strive to serve our customers the best authentic gelateria, and to be awarded for that is a great accomplishment.”

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October 2020 13

interview

A Splash of Creativity Fluid art has forever mesmerised us with the kaleidoscope of colours each unique piece creates. This month, we discovered the stunning acrylic pour paintings of Salman Fouad Kamal of SFKDESIGNS. BTM had a little chat with Salman to find out more.

How long have you been creating art for?

I got into art when I was around 16 years old, starting with sketching, but wanted to get into the Digital art world. Being a big fan of CGI, I acquired the necessary softwares I needed and relied on online classes and tutorials to get a head start on my learning.

Currently, I work on both Digital and Acrylic art.

Tell us about your journey with different art styles. How would you describe your art now?

I have a mix of styles! My earlier work focused on Fantasy characters - mainly 3D sculptures and character creations; the type of art that can be used in movies or video games. Those were created parallel to my learning earlier on to showcase the skills I acquired. I then transitioned to a calligraphy/ graffiti art style.

While interesting to do, I was still looking for something else - this is where my passion for fluid art started!

I wanted to create something that is tangible and unique which can be looked at on a daily basis. The one thing that grabbed my interest in this type of art is that, not a single piece created can be replicated - this way any piece made is unique which is something I completely value!

Who would you say is an inspiration to you when it comes to art and the creative field?

My family! I am blessed to be surrounded by artists in my family - my father is an artist; his work is traditional and draws inspiration from his childhood and family portraits. My elder brother is actually one of the people that inspired me to get into digital art in the first place. He has a mixed style of digital, sketching and pyrography (wood burning art). My sister is also an inspiration and is the main person I go to to discuss ideas, color schemes and different art styles that I want to incorporate into my art.

Which mediums do you work with?

Mainly, I use acrylic paints for my fluid ‘Acrylic Pour’ paintings. However, I like to experiment with different mediums and techniques to see what kind of results I would get. This is key as different mediums and techniques give me experimental results that look unique and give 14 October 2020

a different outlook to my art.

What are your thoughts on the art scene in Bahrain?

Over the years I’ve noticed many exhibitions and art spaces popping up that give local artists the chance to showcase their art. I think there is a lot of untapped potential in the Kingdom and recently there is a shift from traditional art into more contemporary concepts. It’s more of a cultural shift, you can see the progression and importance of art in many local areas such as Bahrain Bay and Block 338.

This is an exciting opportunity to give upcoming artists the platform they need to grow and showcase their work. Personally, this plays a huge role in giving new artists, such as myself, the inspiration and confidence to tap into a market that is sought out for in the Kingdom.

Any collaborations in the pipeline?

I am always looking forward to collaborate with different artists to help each other push our work to another level.

To view Salman’s art or to make an inquiry, visit www.instagram.com/sfkdesigns or email salmanfkdesigns@gmail.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com

food review

Dollops of Pure Happiness at Florencia Ice Cream Bahrain This Month’s Farah Baig lives through an ice cream dream

A

little bit of indulgence never hurt anyone, but we’re firm believers in making every last bit count should we decide to tuck into some dessert. That’s where Florencia Ice Cream comes in – the artisanal shop located in Janabiyah Square was recently named ‘The Best Luxury Ice Cream in the Middle East’ in the 2020 Luxury Lifestyle Awards. We decided to find out what all the fuss was about which led to us having an exceptional taste tour with the woman behind the famed ice cream, Florencia Chaldu.

The first thing we noticed, when we entered the cosy ice cream shop, were the colourful and well-decorated popsicles, and take-home packages in a bounty of flavours. Florencia’s Ice Cream offers a wide range of oldfashioned, authentic gelatos and sorbets – all made with the freshest and most flavourful of ingredients, sourced from across the world.

To start our indulgent experience, we dove into the world of Florencia’s delicious gelatos - masterfully brought together with more than a generous splash of locallysourced milk. The Pistachio gelato is made with pistachios sourced from the famous Italian region of Sicily which give it a distinct roasted pistachio flavour.

This was followed by generous spoonfuls of Dulce de Leche, which is best paired with Chocolate as recommended by Florencia herself. Being a staple at the store, the rich flavour of Dulce de Leche can also be found in their Cookie Dough gelato, Super Chocolate and Coconut gelato among others.

refreshing lemon and mint sorbets. If we had to choose just one, though, it would have to be the passion fruit sorbet which has that familiar tangy goodness.

The absolute crowning glory of our tasting experience had to be the wonderful ice cream pops. These little delights are semi-freddo, meaning they have a different consistency from the gelato, and are extremely rich and creamy. We sampled the Pistachio, Chocolate and Hazelnut, and Dulce de Leche ice cream pops which are generously coated with white or milk chocolate. A firm favourite among customers and ours too had to be the Chocolate and Hazelnut which was a truly decadent treat to end our experience with.

We left Florencia Ice Cream with the firm belief that few things can fix a bad day as well as a scoop of rich and creamy ice cream – especially when it’s truly ‘The Best Luxury Ice Cream in the Middle East’!

One of the greatest indicators of how good an ice cream shop is has to be their ability to create classic chocolate and vanilla gelatos! So, we were thrilled to find out that the Vanilla gelato is in fact made with vanilla beans that have their full flavour extracted the good old-fashioned way. The Chocolate Mousse Gelato too is rich, creamy and a true indulgence. What truly surprised us though was the texture of their coconut gelato which, like the rest of the gelatos, is free from additives and artificial flavourings, so had the familiar texture of fresh coconut.

We then sampled the wonderful Mascarpone cheese gelato which is paired with local dates or orange zest, which is caramelized in house.

My vegan-curious side rejoiced at the idea of their many flavourful sorbets that are (naturally) free from dairy and possess a wonderful full-bodied flavour of the fresh fruit used to make the treats. We sampled the fresh mango, strawberry, raspberry and rose, and finally the extremely www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2020 15

tablehopping

good food is not a scarcity on the island and is very likely to be just around the corner, but here’s where you can find some great food!

A GRAND EVENING Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa introduces a truly novel gastronomic venture – Le Grand Brunch du Soir (The Grand Evening Brunch), featuring live entertainment in the company of a glamorous crowd, surrounded with a sumptuous spread of culinary sensations in a complete #ALLsafe setting, under Zallaq’s scintillating skies. Discover luxe alfresco dining at its best and enjoy a fine selection of Italian, seafood and Indian live cooking stations along with a delightful combination of International sweet and savoury dishes, bound to pique your gastronomic curiosities.

The incredible evening is priced at BD25net with soft beverages or BD30net with selected beverages, from 7pm–11pm, every Thursday and Friday. Booking in advance is required.

Call or WhatsApp ‪38 885-789.

THE CUTTING EDGE CUT by Wolfgang Puck is a modern American steakhouse that impresses with superb meats and striking 180-degree views of Manama in an elegant palm wood and mahogany setting. Terrace dining is open and bookings are required for groups of up to 20 guests looking to dine indoors. Indulge in a brand-new menu by Wolfgang Puck’s executive chef, Brian Becher, alongside panoramic views overlooking Four Seasons’ private island and a beautiful skyline.

Lunch starts from 2pm, served at CUT Bar and Lounge Terrace.

Dinner timings are 7pm–11.30pm. The venue offers a Friday Brunch from 12.30pm–4pm, priced at BD32 for ladies and BD44 for men, inclusive of selected beverages.

Call 17 115-044.

16 October 2020

G N I P P g O n i H n i E D r e b o TABL t Oc

HAUTE BITES Enjoy al fresco dining overlooking stunning views of Manama’s skyline from Bay View at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, open for take-away and terrace dining. The outlet’s outdoor terrace is open from 4pm–midnight, with the last order being taken at 11.30pm.

Dining at Bay View is full of tradition, innovation, and a delicious celebration of the flavours of the season. Guests are offered the most premium choices in coffee and tea selections from around the world. Signature Bay View dishes, traditional mezze selections, light bites, fresh salads and a delicious selection of meats and fish are served daily. Two and three course set menus may also be enjoyed through the Taste of Bay View selection. Guests can savour magical afternoon tea sessions featuring chef Imad’s seasonal pastries, home-made scones and fluffy finger sandwiches. Bookings are essential for large groups.

Call 32 300-081.

AN ELEGANT HIGH TEA Enjoy unforgettable tea times at The Merchant House by taking advantage of the Afternoon T promotion at Cafe Gray and The Library.

Book your table for a minimum number of four people, and a maximum of 10 at The Library, and eight guests at Cafe Gray (should be the same group). Bookings should be made 48 hours prior and no minimum spend is required.

Call 16 671-000.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

tablehopping

A T-BONE EXPERIENCE DINE LIKE A MAHARAJA

Experience an elevated outdoor dining experience at The Ritz Carlton, Bahrain’s Indian fine dining restaurant, Nirvana. The outlet offers a fine fusion of luxury dining with traditional cuisine. Platters sizzle with grilled seafood and kebabs, and bowls piled high with aromatic rice and curries are sure to tickle your taste buds. Seating will be available at the La Med Terrace overlooking the pool. Guests can make private group reservations for up to 20 persons or to order for takeaway.

Call 17 586-499.

Indulge in a full flavoured and tender Angus T-bone steak (1kg) every day at the Jumeirah Royal Saray’s Brasserie Royale Terrace. The Florentine beef tagliata is the perfect option for meat lovers. Good for two people; it is accompanied by your choice of garnish from truffle-mashed potato or oriental saffron rice to sautéed mushrooms along with your favourite sauce.

It is priced at BD35 for two guests, or BD55 for two, inclusive of selected beverages.

A four-course menu including homemade ravioli and a vanilla crème brûlée is also available for a full Italian experience, priced at BD55 for two, or BD75 for two, inclusive of selected beverages.

Call 77 707-070.

BARBEQUE DELIGHTS

GEMS FROM THE OCEAN Experience a unique medley of super succulent seafood delicacies and taste the freshest catch, every Monday during Seafood Night at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain’s Silk’s Restaurant. Explore a vast range of aquatic delicacies from Sushi, sashimi, seafood dim sum, tempura, oysters, slipper lobster, and tiger prawns, to popular dishes such as grouper and red snapper. The talented team of chefs will prepare your favourite catch, just the way you like it.

The buffet is on from 7pm to 11pm for BD25 per person, including unlimited soft drinks.

Call 17 460-017.

Barbeque dishes inspired by the awardwinning Baharat Barbecue Night will be served at the table from 7pm to 11pm at Furn Bistro at The Westin City Centre Bahrain. The meal is priced at BD11.900 per person with soft beverages, or BD17.900 per person with selected beverages. Advance reservation is required for bookings of a minimum of six, and a maximum of 20 persons. Terms and conditions apply.

Call 17 171-000 or WhatsApp 33 538-150.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2020 17

tablehopping

A STAR-SPANGLED AFFAIR Firing up an authentic barbecue experience, BBQ Under The Stars returns every Thursday and Friday evenings from 7pm-10pm, offering a tantalising array of flame-licked premium meats, seasoned and grilled to smoky perfection at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s Tapas Bar & Restaurant. Dine under the stars and along stunning sea views whilst satiating your appetite for great food, top music and good cheer. Sofitel Bahrain follows Ministry of Health safety guidelines and stringent #ALLsafe protocols, accredited by Bureau Veritas, to ensure a safe and chic dining rendezvous. Prices start from BD20 for live barbeque stations, including soft beverages, or BD25, with free flow selected beverages. Limited spots available upon first come, first served basis.

Call or WhatsApp ‪38 885-789.

A PLEASANT POP-UP The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain brings guests an Italian culinary experience with a piazza-style setting. This season, enjoy Primavera al fresco at its new pop-up venue just off the marina beach, formerly known as Nikmati. A modern take on the Italian trattoria, Primavera will be serving traditional dishes using local and seasonal ingredients, alongside reinterpretations of the Italian classics. Open from Thursday to Saturday, starting October 8, from 5pm to 11pm.

Call 17586499.

18 October 2020

A PERFECT OUTDOOR MEAL Take in the refreshing outdoors at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain’s picturesque Palms Outdoor Terrace. Enjoy a 20 per-cent discount on selected beverages during daily happy hour from 4pm - 6pm while you treat yourself to your favourite bites while watching live football matches on the outlet’s large screen. To add to your evening, order barbecued meats grilled the way you like them and savour them at your table by the poolside, priced at BD 12 per person.

Call 17 460-017.

SPECTACULAR SEAFOOD Seafood dishes inspired by the Baharat Seafood Night will be served at The Westin City Centre Bahrain’s Furn Bistro, for BD12.900 per person with soft beverages, or BD19.900 per person with selected beverages.

Enjoy the freshest marine delicacies from 7pm-11pm. Tables for a minimum of six and a maximum of 20 persons can be booked in advance.

Terms and conditions apply.

Call 17 171-000 or WhatsApp 33 538-150. www.bahrainthismonth.com

tablehopping

A TRIP TO THE TERRACE

LEGENDARY DINING

The Terrace at Diplomat Gardens, located at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, is finally open, right in time for the longawaited outdoor dining season. It is the ideal spot to either enjoy the autumn sun over coffee and snacks, business luncheons in a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere, or simply to wind down after a busy day with handcrafted drinks and foodie favourites.

This hidden gem in the middle of busy city life is where you can take delight in a pleasant alfresco dining setting while satiating your taste buds daily from 10am-11pm. Parking is convenient at this easy-toaccess venue, where quality meets hospitality.

Call 17 531-666.

Succulent cuts, live stations, artisan cheese selections and a dessert library – all this awaits your family and friends at the exclusive Steak Brunchism at Legendz Steakhouse located at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain. Bookings can be made for private groups only, priced at BD22, for the soft beverage package, and BD32 for the selected beverages package.

The outlet also hosts an exclusive Cheese Dinner for your family and friends, where you can pick from a cheese trolley and savour authentic cheese dishes with white or red grape, or port, priced at BD16 per person.

Call 17 227-777.

The most delicious experience!

HANDMADE THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

Visit Our Shop In Janabiyah Square & Enjoy True Authentic Flavors. @FLORENCIAICECREAM

@FLORENCIAICECREAMBH

WWW.FLORENCIAICECREAM.COM www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2020 19

bystander

bystander

2021 Mercedes E-Class Launch

The all new Mecedes Benz E-Class Sedan has now arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The stunning sedan was unveiled at the Avenues-Bahrain in the presence of the Al Haddad Motors team and members of Bahrain’s media. Find more information about the updated E-Class sedan in our Motoring section.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery 20 October 2020

October 2020 31 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

motoring

MY LIFE IN CARS

Cyclists… love them or hate them, we have to live with them!

Here’s what Dick Potter has to say about them.

My life in cars would be a lot less stressful if it were not for cyclists. I do not mean the chaps we’re familiar with here, meandering around mostly on their somewhat unwieldy and ancient push-bikes. No, the cyclists I’m referring to are the Lycra lot. You are quite possibly familiar with the species-invariably clad as though about to present themselves at the starting line of the “Tour de France”.

Thankfully, a rather rarer species here in Bahrain-the UK however is rife with them. I know this as I have just returned from having recently visited my folks back home in Blighty.

One sunny morning in the middle of our quiet little village, I parked on the side of the road to pop into the local shop. As I opened the car door a Lycra clad chap whizzed by, to my surprise, the following cyclist narrowly missed smashing into the car door.

Thankfully, I was hauling myself out of my Dads trusty-but utterly reliable-Ford Fiesta and not the prancing horse. The Lycra lot even have a word for this, “dooring” the act of being hit by a car door-that you were daft enough to cycle into in the first place?! With the established word you’d think they’d be a bit more careful passing cars then, wouldn’t you?

Later, reading the daily paper I had popped into the village shop to purchase, a story about a cyclist (allegedly) almost mowing down a one-year old child in Hyde park earlier that day caught my eye. An altercation apparently-and www.bahrainthismonth.com

understandably ensued between the mother and cyclist. I felt somewhat vindicated (OK, and smug too) to read the comments at the foot of the article, almost all of them concurred with my opinion of the Lance Armstrong clad cyclist brigade.

On my last Sunday afternoon visit to the local village watering hole, my pint of beverage in the sunny garden was somewhat spoiled by the arrival of a herd of cyclists-yes, clad in lycra, what else-nosily clattering in. From the copious pints they proceeded to order, it would appear there are little restrictions on cycling and drinking.

Fast forward to the big smoke, London, for a few days-namely to procure the obligatory Covid-19 test to travel back-best I do not scribe further on that. Thanks to Sadiq and Boris, the push bike lot pretty much rule the roost here.

Cycling lanes galore. Now whilst I appreciate this is all well and good for the environment, fitness, wellbeing and so forth, it is not without its drawback. A taxi driver informed us that most journeys take longer due to street lanes being given over to cyclists. That means you and I pay more for the fare as the taxi goes around the houses to get to your destination and of course there are the resultant vehicle emissions on the environment.

Currently, cyclists do not legally require insurance to ride on the roads in the UK. I am guessing that may also be the case here as in many other countries, which made me wonder why not? A bit of research answered my query.

Apparently, compulsory licensing and insurance on bicycles would be “costly to setup, almost impossible to administer and the police would discourage people from cycling.”

However, if a pedestrian is injured or a car is damaged by a cyclist, without third party liability insurance, obtaining compensation may indeed prove very difficult. We can safely assume the cyclist is here to stay. Changes in legislation, insurance and the highway code are clearly needed to permit motorists and cyclists to use the roads harmoniously.

Drive (and cycle) safely all. dickpotter@redhousemarketing.com

October 2020 21

motoring news

THE FUTURE IS ELEC TRIC With a ten-year plan for sustainability, the BMW Group is following its commitment to the goals of the Paris climate agreement, the main focus being on the expansion of electric mobility.

Vehicles of the BMW and MINI brands featuring electrified drive systems are now offered in 74 markets worldwide, where more than 500,000 electrified vehicles were sold by 2019. By the end of 2021, this figure will probably rise to over a million. In spite of pandemic-related restrictions, more vehicles from the BMW Group were sold during the first half of 2020 than in the corresponding previous-year period. BMW Group sustainability goals aim at putting more than seven million vehicles with electrified drive systems on the road worldwide by 2030, two thirds of them all-electric variants.

In future, further series models with electrified and with conventional drive systems will be built on a single production line. For instance, the next generation of luxury sedans of the BMW 7 Series will be offered also as a purely electric model variant. Also, the high-volume series BMW 5 and BMW X1 will be brought to market not only with conventional internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrid systems, but also with all-electric drive units.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION IN THE PIPELINE

MORE INTELLIGENT AND SPORTIER THAN EVER BEFORE Unveiled at The Avenues – Bahrain, the 2021 Mercedes Benz E-Class Sedan is the first of the thoroughly updated model in the E-Class series and features a more dynamic design with noticeably redesigned front headlamps and tail lamps.

The enhanced dynamics and the upgrade of the E-Class Sedan are reflected in the model range: the entry-level model already comes with the sporty Avantgarde Line exterior.

The redesigned AMG Line with a new bumper in the style of the AMG Performance models looks even sportier. In addition, the Avantgarde and AMG Lines will feature a bonnet with power domes as standard. The E-Class Sedan features all-LED headlamps as standard. MULTIBEAM LED headlamps including ULTRA RANGE high beam are available as an option.

The all-new E-Class Sedan comes with Active Brake Assist, and is available in three new paint colours: high-tech silver metallic, graphite grey metallic and mojave silver metallic are also available as part of the refresh. The wheel line-up has also been expanded and now includes aero wheels, contributing to saving fuel and sustainability. Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC and 360° camera makes it possible to enter and leave parking spaces automatically.

The all-new 2021 E-Class is now available exclusively at Al Haddad Motors. For more information, kindly WhatsApp +973 3230 0076 or call +973 1778 5454. You can also visit @alhaddadmotors on Instagram or www.alhaddadmotor.com.

22 October 2020

Lucid Motors, which seeks to set new standards for sustainable transportation with its luxury EVs, has announced that Lucid Air will be introduced to the automotive market with class-leading interior space and spatial efficiency, packaged around a powerful, compact, and energy dense 113kWh extended-range battery pack.

This combination maximizes customer comfort and provides surprising storage space, including the largest front trunk ever offered on an electric car.

The innovative approach to automotive layout and engineering packaging, called the Lucid Space Concept, capitalizes upon the miniaturization of

Lucid’s in-house developed EV drivetrain and battery pack to optimize interior cabin space within Lucid Air’s relatively compact exterior footprint.

Lucid Air is the first EV designed from the ground up around the spatial benefits enabled by the miniaturization of an electric drivetrain and battery pack. Created in parallel with the in-house development of Lucid’s powerful, efficient, and miniaturized drivetrain, the Lucid Air is a luxury, allelectric sedan with an estimated EPA range of up to 517 miles as well as up to 1,000 horsepower available from its dual-motor architecture.

BELIEVING IN GHOSTS The most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet awaits motoring enthusiasts in the GCC. The new Rolls-Royce Ghost succeeds the most successful product in the marques’ 116-year history and reflects the ‘Post Opulent’ design philosophy of the brand, rejecting superficial expressions of wealth.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost is built on a rigid aluminium Rolls-Royce spaceframe architecture. The all-wheel drive and allwheel steering for unprecedented poise and surefootedness. Meanwhile, the world’s first Planar suspension system significantly increases agility and effortlessness. In addition, the Ghost’s doors now electrically open as well as close. Interior components tuned to specific resonant frequency to create a sense of serenity while the down lit Pantheon grille discreetly illuminates Rolls-Royce iconography and the illuminated Fascia debuts featuring Ghost nameplate surrounded by over 850 stars. www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring news

A SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW Hyundai Motor Company has shared a glimpse of its upcoming new KONA and KONA N Line SUVs that express Hyundai’s urban and sporty global design identity.

The new KONA N Line doubles down on sportiness with additional aerodynamic exterior detailing. The new KONA gets a wider stance and a shark-inspired nose that gives the model a sleeker look. Upgraded daytime running lamps (DRL) give it a high-tech, sophisticated style while the front skid plate and

bumper add to its armored appearance.

The new KONA N Line’s gets a more aerodynamic design with low-set air intake and more aggressive front bumper, complemented by corner fins and lean crease lines. The N Line model offers an attractive entry point to the N Brand and expands Kona’s appeal to a broader range of customers.

More design details on the new Kona and Kona N Line are said to be revealed in the coming weeks.

A NEW KIND OF THRILL The Porsche 718 Spyder as well as the 718 Cayman GT4 models can now be ordered with the seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK). The automatic transmission is now available for all drivers who want to enjoy no interruptions in acceleration during gear changes and better acceleration values. Compared with the 718 models featuring a manual transmission, the 420 PS (309 kW) GT models – the 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4 – now accelerate from 0-100 km/h half a second faster, in 3.9 seconds. They reach the 200 km/h mark in 13.4 seconds (0.4 seconds faster).

The 718 Spyder as well as the 718 Cayman GT4 models with automatic transmission can now be ordered with information on the basic retail price, model specifications and local availability obtained at the nearest Porsche Centre.

ARRIVING IN STYLE

With the first Aston Martin DBX having driven of the production line of St Athan in Wales this summer, deliveries of the highly anticipated SUV to the Middle East will commence in October 2020.

“With extensive pre-orders and continuous enquiries, we have no doubt the DBX will arrive to a flurry of excitement for enthusiasts who have been patiently awaiting its touchdown,” said Aston Martin Lagonda UK, Middle East, Africa President, Dan Balmer.

DBX signals a new era in Aston Martin’s pursuit to deliver exceptional performance, style and usability in a segment previously unexplored by the world-famous manufacturer.

Bringing both the versatility and indulgence expected of a luxury SUV with sports car levels of dynamic performance, DBX sets a bold new standard in this sector.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2020 23

motoring news

THE CAR BUYING PANDEMIC

Distributors complain of low walk-ins and overall sales; Have you bought a new car recently?

By Sangeeth Mullassery

There used to be a time when purchasing a car was a ceremony that you’d remember for the rest of your days - a tale you’d tell friends and your kids.

Fond memories of the time you walked into that showroom, cast your eyes upon that gleaming amalgamation of glass and metal, and fell in love.

You’d pay through your nose for it, but it didn’t matter - that car was going to serve you for the foreseeable future and who knows - maybe you’d even pass it down to your kid as his or her first car.

Things have changed quite dramatically since the last time that statement rang true; today most cars are made to be replaced by the end of their warranty period, and even if it isn’t traded-in or sold, technology will make it obsolete in seven years regardless of how well-made it was from the factory. This technology-based-obsolescence ideology of requiring repeat consumerism has begun to permeate into the car buying experience as well - and dealerships (whom this article is mainly intended for), have been caught offguard - rapidly ushering in reactive rather than proactive strategies that are in most cases too little, too late.

For those of you not in the know, the physical showroom where you purchase your car from is owned by a privateer. This could be a familyowned concern or a corporate chain. They develop the infrastructure according to the guidelines set forth by the manufacturer, employ the staff and then “purchase” the brand’s cars from the factory - usually with good credit terms worked into the deal. The 24 October 2020

distributor then marks-up said car (known as the MSRP Stateside) and sells it to you - the end buyer, or, in bulk to companies (such as rental agencies) - also known as a “Fleet sale”.

The mark-up is how the distributor makes their money and pays for their overheads. Essentially - you the buyer are footing the bill for said mark-up.

The traditional distributor model has worked well till the virus threw a spanner in the works - ‘well’ being a subjective word, since research has shown that there is a growing amount of resentment among the car buying public and their overall experience at new car distributors.

From not being attended to by sales consultants to being price-gouged, having unnecessary accessories tacked-on, or being flat-out deceived; if you’ve ever purchased a new car on more than one occasion, you already know the drill.

Having been on both sides of that equation, I can confirm all those elements and add a few unflattering tales myself. If you’re wondering how the car buying process has turned into such a regrettable experience, the answer is simple:

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring news A top-down approach to operations at almost every single distributor the world over.

The distributors need to keep up certain volume targets (meaning they must be able to order a minimum number of units every quarter) that are imposed by the manufacturer.

This inevitably causes the distributor to push sales targets that are thrust upon the sales consultants. When said targets remain unmet for a certain period of time, negative pressure forces sales consultants to become vigilante rock-stars doing deals in ways that would make Jordan Belfort proud. In many cases, folks at the top are completely tone-deaf to the fact that their offerings are either uncompetitively priced, or that the brand simply hasn’t been built up with enough credibility in that locale to pull the sort of volume that they’re looking for.

I’m not going delve into fixes since I’ve strayed too far away from the bottom-line of this article already - but I hope you’ve got the gist of the issue, if you haven’t experienced it first -hand already.

I’ve been trying to buy a new car recently, and because of work, the pandemic and various other engagements, I’ve been unable to find the time to go through the process of physically walking into a showroom, looking at the cars on offer, listening to the sales consultant’s pitch, test driving the car and then (worst case scenario) not liking the car or wanting to look at other options. And lest we forget - there’s also the little matter of exposing myself to the risk of contracting a virus that could kill me. In addition, for some reason (in Bahrain at least) most showrooms tend to be closed on weekends and past 7pm just as you’re able to get off work, battle rush hour traffic and pull into the parking lot.

Convenient. It’s almost as if car distributors here believe that their customers do not work www.bahrainthismonth.com

jobs that require being in-situ and can basically wander off for half a day to buy a car.

This being the case, I did the only rational thing any human being in today’s everconnected world would do - and that is to hop online, do my research, shortlist a few cars that meet my criteria, and then look through every local distributor’s website for those exact vehicles.

This is where things get maddening in a hurry:

Are the websites up to date? Not a chance (in a few cases non-existent).

Are the models featured on the website available in stock or with the options, or even

in the color that a potential buyer would be looking at? You’re lucky if they did.

Are current prices and / or promos mentioned?

Nine times out of ten they’re outdated.

Is all the information of the specific car mentioned? Nope - but you can get a PDF brochure sent to you - once you enter your email and contact details and surrender to an errant sales consultant calling you in the middle of working hours for a car that you haven’t even been able to consider yet.

Are the websites mobile-optimized? Depends on how proactive and switched-on that specific distributor’s marketing department is.

Sure, you can book a test drive online. In many cases you’d be lucky to receive a call back confirming that booking or any response at all for that matter.

October 2020 25

motoring news

I’m almost baffled by how poorly thoughtout and executed the digital side of things are when it comes to new car dealerships in Bahrain. Distributors seem content on investing time and effort into social media campaigns and promotions, but have completely over-looked the follow-through aspect of the game - which is the actual buying experience. We all talk about going digital or increasing our digital presence, but do we really understand what that entails?

You can never get good at tennis without following-through on your swing; Similarly what is the point of all the advertising and social media campaigns if a potential buyer still has to call the switchboard, listen to five minutes of pre-record, make ten selections only to have the receptionist answer the phone, ask you three more questions, then transfer you to a sales consultant who doesn’t answer, whereupon the line is transferred back to the receptionist who

26 October 2020

then transfers you again or simply gets your mobile number with the customary “we’ll call you back” line - which of course happens rarely - if ever. All this is assuming you called during what we all figure to be working hours - if you called during the showroom’s lunch hours which only they know of, you’re sold out of luck on an answered telephone. “You can bring a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink” seems to be the modus operandi.

And yet, enquiries are hard to come-by and sales are down. Perhaps the sales consultants require more pressure?

Tesla broke the traditionally-established mould of the car-buying experience when CEO Elon Musk made the decision not to franchise the brand out to privateer distributors. By eliminating the middle-man, Tesla accrued a whole new set of challenges, but sealed the success of the electric car

brand. It was a refreshing change for customers to be able to hop online to Tesla’s website, select the model they wanted, research the selected model, build it, customize it, and pay for it - essentially closing the deal. The car is then delivered to their address by Tesla within a few weeks.

Most Tesla buyers don’t even think about getting a test drive because Tesla makes sure that their cars are reviewed by every media outlet in the world including every YouTuber they can find. Ask a 12-year-old what the fastest Tesla is and they’d tell you it’s the Model S without taking their eyes off their iPad. The recipe to increased sales and competitive advantage in a COVID-changed world is simple - appreciate the past, embrace the future. Even Tesla has brick and mortar dealerships - albeit run by Tesla themselves and in far fewer locations (they’ve got one in Dubai).

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring news

Here’s what car dealerships can do to improve the experience: Embrace technology: Put your inventory

online. Invest in a decent IT company that can build your very own portal capable of sustainably hosting features such as a car configurator, the ability to reserve a car in your stock with online payments - and the option to buy the car outright. The added cost of hiring three receptionists just to fill in for each other’s breaks, the odd working hours, necessity to open on weekends - all rendered moot through efficient investment in technology.

Appreciate the past: Does this mean you have to fire your entire sales team? Certainly not - but most likely a large part of that team.

Information on any car is freely available online in near any language that you can

Make it easy: Test drive? Drop the car off at the customer’s home or office; same for a new car delivery. Service? A mobile service van equipped with quick-jacks can perform basic services at the customer’s residence or office.

Same goes for a car wash.

Change the mindset & the culture: It

all starts with the mindset of the people working in the organization. In my opinion, having worked closely with near every automotive concern on the island, I’ve come to www.bahrainthismonth.com

dream of. The traditional “sales consultant” role is an obsolete one. Rather, what new car dealerships need is a Customer Administrator a friendly, technically qualified, well-trained individual whose main priority is to assist customers who walk-in. Towards the end, the customer is simply guided toward completing their purchase digitally - either using digital outlets on the showroom floor or from the comfort of their own home or office.

team that actively monitors customer requests and can intervene and respond in real time. Now that’s what I call effective customer service.

Get Social: No, not by dealer-reps and sales

or a mobile application and updated - you know so everyone has access to your digital showroom wherever they are. Makes sense yes? Have a live control panel manned by a two-member expandable (not expendable)

consultants talking about your cars telling people how good they are. Throw the keys of those demonstrators to local YouTubers, media outlets and Auto Consultants (like me). These folks are the ones who non-car people come to for car buying advice and more often than not, they’ve got a decent fan following as well.

Make the brand and its offerings a comfortable main-stay on the local online community.

Engage with the community rather than continuously throwing promos at them from the social media desk.

realize that people dislike change - and this mental discord is the in-elastic death warrant of any organization trying to float during these exigent market conditions.

The take-away here is that you don’t have to completely demolish the establishment to make any progress - rather start by demolishing the haggard process that seems all too happy to keep the past going like those “I love the 80’s” Facebook groups. Is there anything wrong with that? Absolutely not.

Should we keep living in the past? I don’t think I need to answer that.

Need car buying advice or industry-specific consultation? Email me on sangeeth@brakemycar.com or DM me on instagram - @sangeeth911

Go mobile: Roll the website into a web app

October 2020 27

business bites

MIDDLE EAST’S BEST WORKPLACE DHL Express MENA has received an accolade for being the best company to work for in the Middle East for 2020, by global workplace culture authority Great Place to Work® Middle East. The global logistics giant took the winning spot in the top 50 Middle East Best Workplaces list which represented local, regional and international private and public entities operating in the region, covering a wide industry base from logistics and technology to finance, media, fashion, FMCG, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing.

The Best Workplaces annual benchmarking study assesses the level of credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie within an organisation, with the majority of the score based on the confidential feedback of their employees, while the remaining score is taken from an audit of management and HR practices.

To be considered in the list, organizations have to meet the Great Place to Work®-Certified standard and with a minimum score of 85% percent based on what employees say about their experiences of trust and ability to reach their full human potential as part of their organization.

HONOURING THE UNSUNG HEROES In light of the circumstances faced worldwide due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Khaleeji Commercial Bank (KHCB) recently held a special ceremony to honour its employees working in all branches across Bahrain.

The ceremony, which utilised necessary preventive and precautionary measures, was attended by KHCB CEO, Sattam Sulaiman Algosaibi.

“Their efforts stem from their patriotic sense and dedication to Bahrain and their keenness to continue providing Individual and Corporate Banking Services to all, realizing that carrying out their duties despite unfavourable circumstances is a national responsibility to support Team Bahrain’s efforts of enhancing and stabilizing the Kingdom’s financial position,” said Mr. Algosaibi.

The Bank expressed its gratitude for the efforts that the employees have put forth to ensure the availability of services to clients, despite the health risks that have called for the adoption of strict precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of employees and clients.

TECH MINDS OF TOMORROW Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) announced its collaboration with Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB) to launch an exclusive program entitled ‘Digital Marketing – Tech Minds of Tomorrow’, providing local talent and startups with the opportunity to develop a unique futureforward digital marketing tech program for the Bank’s Marketing division.

The program encourages innovative, out of the box thinking amongst local talent and aims to inspire creativity, enabling them to develop an innovation platform. As part of the program, teams of professional marketeers, web and software developers, as well as computer programmers will be challenged to create the ultimate Marketing Automation platform for 28 October 2020

social media. The platform will combine the power of automated processes, from campaign management, digital platform analytics and social media listening tools, to scheduling, reporting and publishing, with a built-in approval process. The platform will also offer customers a seamless, efficient and personalized digital experience.

In order to be eligible to enter the program, participants must be either Bahraini Nationals or residents, between the ages of 25 and 40.

The teams must have an extensive understanding of key marketing automation tools, consist of 2-5 members and must submit a fully developed business plan or proposal outlining the solution.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

business bites

READY TO GO! One of the largest real estate development companies in Bahrain, Diyar Al Muharraq, has announced the beginning of the handover phase for Al Bareh project which started with the handover of the first batch of villas to homeowners on September 6.

The keys were handed over during a ceremony attended by the Chairman of Diyar Al Muharraq, Abdul Hakeem Al Khayat, Members of the Board, Executive Management of Diyar Al Muharraq, representatives of Real Estate Regulatory Authority, guests, project management, stakeholders and the homeowners. Diyar Al Muharraq is gearing up to gradually handover and deliver the remainder of the project in the

coming weeks.

Considered the largest project currently in Diyar Al Muharraq, Al Bareh’s prime location on the west side of the city boasts incredible views over the pristine seafront and main canal in the

masterplan. Al Bareh offers plots and villas available for all nationalities on a freehold basis, offering four villa types, 2 seafronts, ‘Dareen’ and ‘Es’hail’ near the sea with plot areas ranging from approximately 480 to 950 sqm.

IT’S ALL ABOUT BEING CONTACTLESS A Fintech and electronic financial transactions services company in Bahrain, BENEFIT, has announced the official launch of Tap & Go, a new contactless payment method for BenefitPay users, enabling them to make digital purchases at POS machines using only their Android smartphone.

The Tap & Go contactless payment method allows BenefitPay users to make secure digital payments through POS machines for purchases at various locations around the Kingdom, and distinguishes itself through its ease of use, only requiring the user to place their smartphone next to a POS machine to complete their contactless payment.This payment method provides a high level of security, and operates on a system of tokenization ensuring the safety of their personal information.

CE of BENEFIT, Abdulwahed AlJanahi said: “This new service comes under the directives of the Central Bank of Bahrain, and is linked to each bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in coordination with international financial payments and bank cards companies (Visa and MasterCard).

This is in line with our efforts to create easy, fast and secure payment methods for our customers. Through this special feature, we look forward to providing our customers with the best and latest in electronic financial payment solutions.”

AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY Bahraini Businessman, Yaqoob Al Awadhi, has stressed the significance of the Cabinet’s approval of a draft law, in a session held during September, amending some provisions of the current Commercial Companies Law promulgated by Decree-Law No. 21 of 2001 based on the recommendation by the Government Executive Committee chaired by HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister.

The amendments include the introduction of new benefits to further strengthen the investment ecosystem, help companies raise capital, enhance the rights of minority investors, permit the creation of not-for-profit companies, and regulate mergers and acquisitions. This is in addition to amendments aimed at improving the regulatory environment for companies and keeping pace with global developments.

“A merger or acquisition among Bahraini companies has become an absolute necessity in light of the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they represent a method of restructuring that grants an opportunity for companies to prevent collapse and bankruptcy. Furthermore, they represent an ideal solution for companies threatened by bankruptcy, and contribute to reducing costs of production and services on the one hand and raising competitiveness and profitability on the other hand,” said Mr. Al Awadhi. www.bahrainthismonth.com

THE YOUTH ARE THE FUTURE Global smartphone brand, OPPO, has revealed the results of its ‘Find More’ campaign through which it partnered with three Find More Explorers: award-winning content creator, YouTuber and online personality EMKWAN, UAE’s first female film director-producer Nayla Al Khaja, and renowned photographer Jumana Jolie. Together with the talent, the brand created a video series aimed at inspiring the people of Bahrain to continue pushing their boundaries of creativity, deliver content that reflects their creative potential, and essentially strive for more.

OPPO Bahrain Country Manager, Michael Yan, said: “Through the campaign we wanted to inspire the youth in Bahrain to go forward and explore more so we are thrilled with the number of people we were able to reach. OPPO is a youthful brand, for the youth, and we are committed to supporting our future explorers across the region.”

The Find series signifies the spirit of exploration and with the unique Find More campaign, OPPO aimed to inspire and empower people, with explorer stories to tell, to find their own X factor and take a step further to push to their full potential.

October 2020 29

Community News

A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

As of September 22, a total of 6000 people, of different nationalities, have volunteered for the phase III COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in Bahrain.

The Ministry of Health announced that the target was reached six weeks after the trials got underway in the Kingdom.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted that the continued determination and unity of the Kingdom’s citizens and residents in supporting national efforts to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) remains central to overcoming the continuing challenges presented by COVID-19. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa had notably volunteered for the clinical trials, which inspired officials and citizens to participate.

Bahrain’s medical teams in charge of conducting the phase III COVID-19 inactivated vaccine clinical trials have since expressed their desire to conduct an additional 1700 trials.

A LOSS TO BAHRAIN’S COMMUNITY

Mrs. Lynne Al-Wazzan, known as a tireless charity volunteer, proud mother, grandmother and wife to leading Bahraini businessman Mr. Abulrahman Al-Wazzan, passed away suddenly on Monday, September 21 of a heart attack.

Lynne Al-Wazzan arrived in Bahrain 40 years ago after meeting Intercol Director, Abdurrahman Al-Wazzan in England, and marrying soon after. They had three children together – Ali, 41, Mahin, 38, and Hassan 36, and had been blessed with five grandchildren. She has been involved in charity work throughout her life and would have celebrated her 70th birthday in December marking nearly 60 years of dedication to her communities.

A long-time supporter of the American Women’s Association (AWA) in Bahrain AWA, Lynne has served on each of the association’s committees and received many awards for her work – so much so that there is now a Lynne Al-Wazzan Award. In addition, she worked closely with the Indian Ladies Association and Sneha organization, which helps educate special needs children, for 18 years.

After five decades spent in the Kingdom, Lynne Al-Wazzan enjoyed an exciting life in Bahrain, her adopted home, which she loved with a passion and loyally contributed to its cosmopolitan communities in a kind, generous and hardworking manner.

COMMENDABLE RELIEF EFFORTS

The Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) donated USD150,000 (BD 56,569) to the Lebanese Red Cross - the outcome of the charity campaign recently launched by the society themed ‘Bahrain Relief Beirut’.

The board of directors of the Society approved the donation in line with the Kingdom of Bahrain›s relief contributions to Lebanon. The move represents the society›s active work to extend its assistance to the Lebanese community and support them following the catastrophic Beirut port explosion which resulted in damage to the population, economy and environment.

Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) Director-General and Acting General Secretary, Mubarak Al Hadi, stated that the Lebanese Red Cross would use these donations to contribute in financing a massive project currently being implemented in Beirut based on the restoration of thousands of homes and apartments that have been affected by the explosion to help the victims return to their homes.

30 October 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | opinion

THE POWER OF A CROWD Of the many marvels of the technologically connected and globalised world that we live in, the aspect that has fascinated me the most, has been its ability to aggregate.

Technology aggregates people, opinions, data and even money. Crowdsourcing is a way that formalises such aggregation i.e. it is way to acquire one-time skills, services, money etc by opening to a larger audience. However, the root of the concept lies in the humble village support system where, when one needed something, you simply channelled your near and dear ones to help you. Only, now, with technology, you can channel those that are far from you and hold your “cause” (not you) dear. Narrow this down to just money related activities and you have crowdfunding - which is a marketplace way to help fund your project, business, or cause. This space has come into its own in the past decade and could emerge even more powerful in a post pandemic world.

Crowdfunding has been a highly effective way to channelise non-profit work. Global webbased aggregators like GoFundMe or Fundly have emerged as powerful channels. Apart from charity work, platforms like Kickstarter help creative projects to come to fruition.

Or, on a more business side, platforms like Indiegogo give technology entrepreneurs a chance to find financial support.

Within the GCC as well, crowdfunding is beginning to gain traction. In fact, UAE and Bahrain have both announced formal legislation and guidelines for the sector.

Platforms like Smart Crowd which is a www.womanthismonth.com

Project Owner

Donation

Investment

Financial Expert Pria Masson Tanwar Talks About the Concept of Crowdfunding Loan

the money raised irrespective of the total amount or the Equity final goal being achieved.

The second revenue source is Increased Monthly Returns a listing fee which like how (or decreased) Fixed Payback Period classified work. So, someone Equity Value who wants to raise funds, lists on a said aggregators’ website, Funds Provider/Individual and rents the space. platform to crowdfund real estate in the This whole model is quite a win-win because UAE or, Eureeca which allows for small the people contributing, participate with equity investments in the SME space or small amounts of money so usually the risk of even platforms like Beehive (which recently losing the funds is not a significant factor. If entered Bahrain) and is a marketplace where it is a Beehive type scenario its even safer for individuals can lend to businesses in return the investors or lenders because they even for monthly returns. The scope of products get monthly returns. At the other end, project that and services that can be sourced or owners without a close network of friends and funded through aggregators is significant. But family to help, can reach a wider audience, how does the system really work? make their case and hope for the best. At a There are two broad revenue sources for these time when physical crowding is taboo, this is businesses. The first is a success fee i.e. the one way of harnessing the power of the crowd aggregator or platform to take a percentage for progress. of the amount raised. This could be a fixed or flexible model. In the fixed model, if the Pria is a strategy consultant and advisor. project is successful and the whole goal You can follow Pria using the Instagram is achieved the credit cards of individuals handle @businessclues33 or read more of invested or donating are charged. In the her articles at flexible model, the project owner gets to keep www.business-clues.com October 2020

31

gadgets

GADGETS

BTM brings you the latest gadgets to push your technological buttons.

ATMOSFX DIGITAL DECORATING KIT HOLIDAY SCENE PROJECTOR

This smart projector brings your static decorations to life with 14 digital creations for Halloween and the holidays. AtmosFX brings pumpkins to life and sends ghosts floating around front windows.

MECHANICAL SPIDER BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

Available at: www.thegadgetflow.com

This unique Bluetooth speaker looks like a nightmare but sounds like a dream. The speaker also detaches from the main spider, so you can play around with this futuristic arachnid.

Available at: www.thegadgetflow.com

HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN LED LIGHTS

ELECTRONIC SERIAL KILLER SHOWER CURTAIN

you want to get in the spirit without giving your kids nightmares, these pumpkin lights should do nicely.

Powered by AA batteries, they glow orange just like their full-size brethren. They are pretty energy efficient, too.

Showers are invigorating, but after showering with the electronic serial killer curtain, you’ll never feel more alive.

Seriously – because after the ‘Psycho’ theme music plays and the screaming starts, you’ll feel lucky to be alive.

Available at: www.amazon.com

Available at: www.amazon.com

32 October 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

gadgets

MOTION -ACTIVATED GLOWING HANGING GRIM REAPER

STAR WARS DARTH VADER PUMPKIN PUSH - INS

A pumpkin is a blank slate upon which you get to try all sorts of Halloween weirdness. The Star Wars Darth Vader Pumpkin Push-ins kit offers an excellent example of how you can turn a sinister and iconic villain into a rather portly punch-line.

The kit includes everything you need, including a lightsaber, to turn your pumpkin into a grumpy, fat and vividly orange Darth Vader.

When someone walks past this motion-activated Grim Reaper, the manifestation of death will laugh. At the same time, his eyes will glow red. Hang this decoration in the hallway to greet visitors.

Available at: www.amazon.com

Available at: www.thegadgetflow.com

HALLOWEEN FINGER CANDLES

Candles usually add a warm glow to any room. But these gruesome finger candles will send chills down your spine. They come in a variety of colours, including a realistic skin tone.

Available at: www.amazon.com

HUAWEI WATCH FIT

Huawei’s first ever smart sports watch with a stylish large HD rounded rectangular face and a 10 day battery life, the #HUAWEIWATCHFIT helps users in keeping track of their health with scientific health tracking features and encourages them to get into new forms of exercise through a variety of animated fitness courses and workout modes.

For more information, check out @ huaweiarabia.

SLER ANIMATED LIGHTUP TALKING EYEBALL DOORBELL

Visitors to your house will think twice about using this kooky doorbell. When the button is pushed, a giant green eyeball opens up and guests are greeted by spooky noises. It’s the ideal outdoor Halloween decoration for scaring trick-or-treaters!

Available at: www.thegadgetflow.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2020 33

games

GAMES

TONY HAWK'S PRO SKATER 1 & 2 WHAT IS IT?

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a remaster of the first two games in the Tony Hawk’s series: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (1999) and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (2000). A skateboarding video game played in a third-person view with a fixed camera, the player must score points by performing tricks and complete objectives to unlock levels to progress through the game. The game features tricks introduced in later games such as the revert, spine transfer and wall plant. The player can also create their own skater and skate park with the Create-A-Skater and Create-A-Park modes and use them in split screen and online multiplayer.

GAMEPLAY

Vicarious Visions has successfully brought Neversoft’s esteemed classics back to life, allowing old and new fans alike to experience these masterpieces through a modern lens while remaining entirely respectful to the moves, the maps and the music that’s been seared into the brains of millions since the turn of the millennium. One place where the remake goes beyond the original is that new challenges have been added to the THPS1 levels to make them consistent with the longer lists in the THPS2 ones. This freshens things up a little while they last, but the biggest boost comes from the absolutely exhaustive list of overarching challenges that can be completed across any of the maps at any time, from certain strings of tricks to specific enormous points totals.

GRAPHICS

It’s actually quite remarkable dropping into each of the nearly 20 levels and marvelling at just how authentically they mirror the geometry of the 1999 and 2000 versions of these same maps.

They’re obviously infinitely richer with granular detail, filled with impressive lighting and – unlike the PS1 oldies – feature a draw distance that stretches to the horizon instead of disappearing into fog, but they’re also wonderfully familiar.

NBA 2K21

The latest game in the long-standing basketball series lets you play with real-life or customised players and teams; games follow the rules and objectives of NBA games.

Up to six expansion teams can be created and used in both MyLeague and MyGM Modes, with the possibility of a 36-team league, and any team can be relocated and rebranded. A staple of the series, MyCareer, returns as one of the available game modes. This is a career mode in which the player creates their own basketball player and plays through their career.

34 October 2020

VERDICT:

An incredible nostalgia trip

RATING:

CRUSADER KINGS III

Like its predecessors, Crusader Kings III is a grand strategy game and dynasty simulator set in the Middle Ages, running from the Viking Age to the Fall of Byzantium. It has two start dates: 867 and 1066.

Dynasties can form cadet branches that have their own heads and act mostly independently from their parent dynasty. The heads of dynasties will be able to use a new resource known as Renown to assert their control over their house. Ultimately, expand and improve your realm, whether a mighty kingdom or modest county.

MARVEL’S AVENGERS

Marvel’s Avengers is an epic, third-person, actionadventure game that combines an original, cinematic story with single-player and co-operative gameplay.

Assemble into a team of up to four players online, master extraordinary abilities, customise a growing roster of your favourite superheroes and defend the Earth from escalating threats. www.bahrainthismonth.com

websites PBSKIDS.ORG/ HALLOWEEN

PBS Kids has gone all out with their Halloween website, which features a colourful, cartoonish design and a straightforward layout that invites kids to play a number of Halloweenthemed games or even write their own ghost stories.

PUMPKINGUT TER.COM

websites

Pumpkin Gutter is basically a testament to what can be done when you combine artistic and technical skills with a passion for pumpkin carving.

Artist Scott Cummins carves directly into the rinds of pumpkins to create cool textures and 3D effects with his jack-o-lanterns. His site lets you look through a gallery of his creations, watch time lapse videos of his process and learn the technique yourself.

SITE: instructables.com/halloween RATING: VERDICT: Useful and exciting!

SYFY.COM/TAGS/HORROR

Instructables has an annual Halloween site that’s a veritable craft-fanatic heaven. The layout is great, with high-quality photos of various Halloween-related projects and costumes, as well as the option to ‘star’ any projects that you particularly like.

SyFy Wire is a bold, splashy site that lets you watch horror-related web videos, read movie reviews and news and interact with other horror fans.

The site is really in its element during what it has declared the month of ‘Feartober’.

WEAR A FACE MASK

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

CLEANING HANDS WITH ANTISEPTIC

AVOID CONTACT WITH SICK PEOPLE bahrainthismonth

www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2020 35

APPS REVIEW HERE’S OUR ROUND UP OF THE COOLEST APPS YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON FOR HALLOWEEN

Halloween Soundboard

Make A Zombie Create millions of unique zombie combinations with this app. There are many backgrounds, bodies, clothes, heads and more to choose so you can create a personalised zombie. The app is compatible with AirPrint so that you can print your little zombies and stick them on the bathroom mirror to give your family a good scare late at night.

Halloween Soundboard is exactly what the name implies. It’s a collection of spooky sound effects. It includes classics like scary laughs, blood dripping, bats, dogs and all kinds of other stuff. This is a great idea for homemade haunted houses for those who build them. Simply connect a Bluetooth speaker and hide it among your decorations and hit the button at the appropriate time to scare the pants off of someone. The app also lets you play multiple sounds, loop sounds and set the sounds as your ringtone if you really want to.

Ghost Lens AR Fun Movie Maker If you want to create a ghostly effect by merging two similar photos or videos of yourself together, you can do it with Ghost Lens or the Ghost Photo Maker. Your photos will turn suddenly into evidence of paranormal activity, so you can scare the living daylights out of yourself and everyone you choose to share the ghostly footage with.

Halloween Live Wallpaper This app features a ton of spooky live wallpapers featuring all sorts of traditional imagery like a black and purple landscape with pumpkins, witches, graves, bats and more. The wallpapers are not overly active so they aren’t too distracting for day-to-day use.

Plus, a good third of the screen is completely black and that’s great for AMOLED and POLED screens. The app is also entirely free of advertising.

36 October 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

music

Mastodon

Medium Rarities For two decades, Atlanta’s Mastodon have stubbornly followed their own path, whether it led to chart success or derision by closed-minded purists spewing across social media.

Over seven studio albums, a handful of singles, splits and EPs, this quartet hasn’t released a ‘proper’ compilation until now. Medium Rarities assembles instrumentals, live tracks, soundtrack cuts and covers without separating them categorically. Simply put, Medium Rarities is a must for fans but likely won’t sway any doubters.

The Flaming Lips

MARILYN MANSON WE ARE CHAOS Verdict:

Another creepy yet razor-sharp shock horror blast.

What’s the story?

In March 2019, frontman Marilyn Manson announced he had nearly finished recording the band’s next studio album and that country musician Shooter Jennings was involved. Later that year, drummer Gil Sharone announced he was leaving the band to pursue other projects, with former Black Flag drummer Brandon Pertzborn hired as his replacement. Manson has suggested the album could be selftitled, and said: “I’m in a mode in life where I wanted to tell stories with this record, and it’s sort of like a wax museum of my thoughts, a study of the chamber of horrors in my head.”

Worth a listen?

Extending a late-era artistic renaissance with his 11th album We Are Chaos, Marilyn Manson hits another home run, delivering yet another taut set of catchy earworms that retains enough of his peak-era trademarks while continuing his unexpected late-stage evolution. Manson kicks off the album from atop his weathered pulpit, delivering a purposely spooky but reliably inscrutable, spoken word sermon that quickly rumbles to life with a pounding beat, gurgling bass and chugging riffage. As the years of shock tactics and theatrics fade into memory, Manson’s left with just the music, aging as gracefully as he can with another expertly crafted offering for the altar.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

American Head On American Head, the Flaming Lips use their storytelling skills to their fullest, combining some of their purest moods and most beautiful melodies with some of their most overtly autobiographical songwriting. Far from a rehash of the band’s previous glories, American Head feels transformational; at once magical and down-to-earth, it’s the album the Flaming Lips needed to make and fans needed to hear at this point in their career.

Artemis

Artemis The eponymous debut album from the all-star female jazz collective, 2020’s Artemis showcases the group’s immense compositional and improvisational depth. Named after the Greek goddess of hunting, Artemis is led by pianist Renee Rosnes and features the equally adept talents of tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, clarinetist Anat Cohen, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller. While the virtuosity and musical creativity of the group are the primary focus of Artemis, there’s an implied message of feminist empowerment at work in their supportive ensemble of strong female artistic voices.

October 2020 37

tv releases

STREAMING TELEVISION/FILMS SHORTS Fancy some downtime? Check out our top picks for movies and TV shows to keep you entertained.

Judy

Judy is a biographical drama film about American singer and actress Judy Garland. Directed by Rupert Goold, it stars Renée Zellweger as Garland. The film Members of the mysterious and spooky follows Judy Garland’s career during the last year Addams family – Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley, of her life when she relocated her stage career to Wednesday, Uncle Fester and Grandma – are Britain, coupled with flashbacks to her teenage readily preparing for a visit from their even years, most prominently the filming of her part as creepier relatives. But trouble soon arises Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, Garland’s most when shady TV personality Margaux Needler iconic role. After some initial success for a run of realises that the Addams’ eerie hilltop mansion sell-out concerts at the Talk of the Town in London, is standing in the way of her dream to sell all her efforts eventually stop making progress and the houses in the neighbourhood. even start to worsen due to health issues.

The Addams Family

38 October 2020

Maleficent stars Angelina Jolie as the title character in this reimagining inspired by Charles Perrault’s original fairy tale and Walt Disney’s 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty.

The film portrays the story from the perspective of the eponymous antagonist, depicting her conflicted relationship with the princess and king of a corrupt kingdom.

Mulan

The Haunting of Bly Manor

The Haunting of Bly Manor is a supernatural horror drama created and directed by Mike Flanagan. It will be loosely based on the 1898 horror novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James and is the follow-up series to The Haunting of Hill House. The story tells of a young governess hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at the family country house after they fall into his care. Arriving at the Bly estate, she begins to see apparitions that proceed to haunt the premises.

Maleficent

Cadaver

Cadaver is a Norwegian horror movie written and directed by Jarand Herdal. Set in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster, it follows a starving family attending a subsequent charitable event where people are mysteriously disappearing from the audience.

Mulan is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1998 animated film of the same name, based on the Chinese folklore The Ballad of Mulan.

The film stars Yifei Liu in the title role. To save her ailing father from serving in the Imperial Army, a fearless young woman disguises herself as a man to battle northern invaders in China.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

commerce

WE DO

DIGITAL

Want to get your business and events in the public eye?

Read on to discover how BTM can help With more than 20 years of experience in content creation, Bahrain This Month is a prime choice for extensive marketing services in the Kingdom.

Professionals from industries including dining, entertainment, retail, health services, motoring and more can now tap into the range of options for marketing their products and services on our website and official social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook) which have a combined following of over 270,000 individuals.

Aside from our renowned traditional media solutions, our qualified digital marketing team is

adept at fine-tuning online campaigns to ensure relevant content reaches a demographic which is not only receptive, but responsive to online content. Through our Instagram account alone, our content is viewed over 80,000 times per week by more than 42,000 people (as seen in our ‘Insights’). You can reach out to us to broadcast your information on a platform the public trusts.

You can also take advantage of our digital presence for free by loading your information directly onto www.bahrainthismonth.com

Digital Marketing Services Include:

• A digital audit of the current digital

assets of your company which identifies the gaps for rectification.

• Optimising your website and social media profiles.

• Preparing a digital strategy, inclusive of all the digital channels.

• Engaging and interactive content

creation – be it blogs, articles, website content to short-form and long-form videos.

• Paid digital campaign set up,

performance management and analytics for social and Google Ads.

• Interpretation of Google Analytics and social media insights to optimise your digital strategy.

• Customised workshops and training to

enhance the skills of your employees in digital marketing.

FAQs How do I get my content, events, pictures etc. onto Bahrain This Month’s website?

It’s really simple, just visit: www.bahrainthismonth.com and click the sign-up tab in the top righthand corner. From there you’ll be able to create an account and start loading your venue information, forthcoming events, and images into our most-visited section, the gallery pages.

Are there any add-on features available when I register an event?

Yes, for our clients, we can enable ticket sales through our website and extensive digital marketing packages.

What additional benefits does a client get when they use the ticketing option?

Exposure on our popular social media platforms and in our print magazines – as long as we are informed of the event prior to publication.

Is there anywhere else I can share my information to increase my exposure?

Yes. There is a similar set-up on our Bahrain Hotel & Restaurant Guide page at: www.thebhrg.com where hospitality, food and www.bahrainthismonth.com

beverage and entertainment venues can load their own information such as special offers, meal deals and theme nights. We cross-share information over the two sites. We will be relaunching the websites for our other popular guides in the coming months and these will benefit from a similar arrangement.

Can I share content from my own website to yours?

Even better than that, once signed-up, clients can benefit from the creation of their own microsite within www.bahrainthismonth.com or www.thebhrg.com where visitors can find all the latest information about the venue, news and offers as well as their own gallery pages featuring pictures from their events – both those we have covered and self-loaded images too.

Who can I talk to for more info? contact@redhousemarketing.com or call +973 39 677-851.

October 2020 39

travel

MAGNIFICENT ISTANBUL!

SULTAN AHMED MOSQUE, THE BLUE MOSQUE

WE TAKE YOU THROUGH OUR MUSTSEE DESTINATIONS IN THE EVER-SOPOPULAR CAPITAL OF TURKEY! Turkey’s bustling capital, Istanbul, has long been a favourite holiday destination for most with travellers flocking to the sprawling city from every corner of the world. While most of our travel plans have been blown to smithereens, given the current state of the world with the spread of the coronavirus, Turkey is gearing up to welcome tourists once again. Turkish authorities reported one million tourists in July despite current circumstances and are now introducing rules and regulations city-wide in order to reopen restaurants and popular tourist destinations. With this in mind, our editor Farah Baig takes you through some of her favourite tourist destinations in the capital from her recent trip.

Popularly known as ‘The Blue Mosque, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque is a must-visit when in Istanbul. Be sure to plan ahead and visit as early as possible as the destination can get quite crowded and could lead to you waiting in line for hours. Completed in 1617, the mosque boasts a stunning composition of domes and six slender minarets which beautifully grace the city’s skyline. The mosque is located near the Hagia Sophia and the Byzantine Hippodrome, within a walking distance of the Topkapi Palace. You can easily reach any of these sites by making use of the city’s metro or taking a tour bus.

BOSPHORUS

The Bosphorus, also known as the Istanbul Strait, is an internationally significant waterbody which divides Europe and Asia. It’s no secret that the city lies on both continents which makes for a very interesting experience! One of our favourite experiences on our visit was taking one of the many ferries from one side to the other. Just remember to be sure to check the schedule and take one back before the last one at night or getting back can prove to be somewhat challenging.

HAGIA SOPHIA

This stunning monument is a clear example of Istanbul’s rich history as it was converted from a church to a mosque, a museum then finally back into a mosque. The popular tourist destination, reflects signs of the changes with its Christian mosaics, Islamic scriptures and minarets.

Whether during the day or night, the Hagia Sophia is definitely a stunning site to visit.

40 October 2020

www.bahrainthismonth.com

travel

BASILICA CISTERN

If you want to see something that will really blow your mind on your visit to Istanbul, check out the incredible Basilica Cistern which is located across the street from the Hagia Sophia. The magnificent cistern is one of hundreds of ancient cisterns in the city of Istanbul. It features hundreds of massive marble columns and is capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water. A truly interesting sight to behold at the cistern is definitely the two Medusa heads which support a couple of columns near the end of the cistern.

TOPKAPI PALACE

Delve into the royal splendour of the Topkapi Palace with its rich history, stunning architecture and sprawling gardens. This site makes a wonderful location for a long, leisurely stroll through what is now a museum. The palace complex has hundreds of rooms and chambers,with some of the most important still accessible to the public, including the Ottoman Imperial Harem and the treasury. The palace is dotted with interesting artifacts, intricate designs and mosaics and plenty of interesting information.

GRAND BAZAAR

A paradise for shoppers all over the world. You’ll thoroughly enjoy taking in the sights and smells at the worldfamous, sprawling Grand Bazaar. The spectacular market is over 500 years old and covers over sixty streets and alleyways. Here’s you’ll find a multitude of ornate items including Turkish lamps, spices, traditional soaps, tea sets and a mouth-watering variety of Turkish delight.

Be sure to wear comfy shoes and take a large enough carry bag in case you do some major shopping.

TAKSIM SQUARE

A shopoholic’s dream - Taksim Square is frequented by millions of tourists every year and is a perfect entertainment location any time of the day. The lively street is dotted with a multitude of shops from popular international and regional retail brands. In addition, you’ll find quite a few of Turkey’s culinary delicacies sold on multiple corners, arcades, and even Madame Tussauds wax museum! www.bahrainthismonth.com

October 2020 41

what's green

WHAT’S

green

We take a look at some of the best ecofriendly products to support a green lifestyle!

MINTY FRESH!

BITE TOOTHPASTE BITS

These toothpaste tablets replace your need to get your conventional tooth paste which creates plenty of unnecessary plastic pollution in our landfills every year.

It’s loaded with mouth and vegan-friendly ingredients like coconut oil and xylitol which pull out odors and repel bacteria that can cause cavities. The tablets are shipped in glass bottles with 62 tablets - a full month's worth if you brush twice a day, give or take the specific month - and you can reuse the container however you please once you're done. You’ll end up with healthier teeth and a cleaner planet. These tabs are also naturally whitening, fight sensitivity and remineralise tooth enamel.

Available on www.bitetoothpastebits.com.

WRAP IT UP!

ONYALIFE REUSABLE SANDWICH WRAPS

SAVE THE TREES

GREEN TREES WATER BOTTLE

One of the best things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and the waste you generate is switch to reuseable bottles. The Green Trees Water bottle, however, takes their measures one step further by planting a tree for every sale. The bottles are made with durable stainless steel and are designed to last forever since the outer shell is tough and corrosion resistant. They’re also insulated, eco-friendly and leak-proof.

Packed school and office lunches may seem innocent enough, but when you multiply them by each student at your child’s school and each school in your country, the amount of single-use plastic waste adds up quickly.

That’s where these nifty reusable sandwich wraps (made from recycled PET bottles) come in. They can completely eliminate the plastic pollution produced from your child’s lunch or anytime you use single-use sandwich wraps.

Available on www.onyalife.com.

Available on www.treetribe.com.

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Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

October 2020 | Issue 211

BEAUTY

Beauty Must-Haves

LIFESTYLE

Autumn-inspired decor

PEOPLE MARUSHKA ALMEIDA From Corporate to Creative

FASHION RELEARNING THE LEATHER TREND

PARENTING Coping with the Pandemic with Ouiam

ACCESSORISE FROM YOUR HEAD TO YOUR TOES THE BEST ARM CANDY www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION | forward

A TWIST ON A CLASSIC T

here’s something about wearing leather in winter that feels like a hot cup of coffee on a cold day- it’s refreshing and gets you ready to face just about everything.

So, it’s no surprise that this classic trend has made its way back to the Fall-Winter runways of some of the world’s most coveted brands this year. What makes it different this time around is it goes beyond your classic black leather jacket and can now be enjoyed in the form of culottes, shirts, skirts, trench coats and more in a wise spectrum of exciting colours.

If you’re looking for a pair of versatile bottoms that can be paired with just about anything, you can draw inspiration from the relaxed leather pants from Ingie, flowy and relaxed leather skirt from Salvatore Ferragamo or the grey leather culottes from Coach.

Ingie

Salvatore Ferragamo

To really turn some heads in a top to bottom leather ensemble, draw inspiration from BOSS’ deep purple suit, Coach’s wintery ensemble, Ferragamo’s yellow overall or Longchamp’s eye-catching long coat in red.

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Tory Burch

Coach

Bally

Coach

Ferragamo

FASHION | forward

www.womanthismonth.com

Boss

Longchamp

take on t the Jenner ’s Kendall looked divine a show. re n trend su p NYFW fashio d this e m a Longch ortlessly combin le-neck t r ff e u t e d Sh patterne s and stunning leather culotte create r, sweate black boots to h knee-hig the look.

Kendall Jenner in Longchamp

LS ND GOA E R T Y IT CELEBR this

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FEATURE | accessory

FROM YOUR HEAD TO YOUR TOES! Prada

ACCESSORIES THAT TAKE YOU FROM FUN TO FIERCE THIS SEASON

We’re seeing some fun changes with the Fall Winter collections on the runways this year and accessories are no exception! To really jazz up your outfit, you’ll need pieces that turn heads and take your look from fun to fierce. We’ve put together some of our favourite accessories including stunning eyewear from leading brands, groovy shoes so you can put your best foot forward and even some exquisite jewellery so you can add a hint of a dazzle to your look.

Gucci

All Eyes on You!

Our favourite selection of eyewear this season includes Cartier’s designs which have a bit of both: timeless elegance and contemporary design. If you’re planning on adding a pop of colour, check out these lush green sunglasses from Gucci, or perhaps add a bit of mystery with Prada!

Gucci

Cartier

Cartier

Prada Rene

Foot Loose and Fancy-Free

Rene

Bally

The Dahlia pump from Bally brings together beautiful two-tone leather and features the bold B-chain with a slim leather sole. Pair this with one of their stunning black and white bags and you’re good to go!

For a fun night out, check out the Marlene Bootie, or the Yasmine or Yvette Pumps from Rene Coavilla.

Bally

Rene Bally

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Bally October 2020

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FEATURE | accessory

Frost Yourself with Sapphires! Faberge

Fabergé has intricately captured the beauty of sapphires in their latest collection!

Choose from diamond-encrusted drop earrings, statement rings, dangling pendants and even exquisite cufflinks dotted with stunning sapphires.

Faberge

Let’s Face it!

We’re definitely living through some unprecedented times but FILA has come up with a bright idea to make things better! Jazz up your protective everyday look with one of the brand’s 23 multicolored face masks. They’re comfortable, practical and protective!

Fila www.womanthismonth.com

October 2020

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

e w e Ar ing becom ? c i t s pla

Victoria Teo Reflects on the Fight Against Plastic Pollution In Bahrain

Throughout my time here as an expat in Bahrain, and before the pandemic hit the nation, my visits to various beaches around the island unveiled an unwelcome surprise – plastic pollution.

So, what is plastic pollution? Simply put, it’s the accumulation of litter, such as plastic bottles, plastic bags and waste that has been disposed of negligently. Unfortunately, this is all too common, not only in Bahrain, but worldwide. Did you know that a great garbage patch of plastic, three times the size of France is floating in the Pacific Ocean alone? The rise in plastic pollution is a problem that we cannot afford to ignore any longer.

Throughout recent years, scientists have proven time and time again that this issue is increasing at an unprecedented rate. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. What’s more disturbing is the fact that on average, human beings are now consuming roughly 5 grams of plastic each week, which is about the weight of a credit card, according to researchers.

The long-term impacts of the consumption of microplastics is still unknown. I see fishermen and many locals go fishing here in Bahrain, yet, little do they know their catch of the day has probably ingested plastics.

This issue is getting out of hand because marine wildlife suffers directly from the public’s irresponsible disposal of trash. It is estimated that the ramifications of plastic pollution, such as entanglement, ingestion, intoxication and starvation, affects up to 96% of aquatic biodiversity worldwide.

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM? Bahrain is a beautiful country and I am sure that everyone intends to keep it that way. And for that reason, I felt compelled to act. I have taken part in beach clean initiatives, such as Cleanup Bahrain and other beach cleans through the 1% App. I went even further and started cleaning the beach in Hidd, my local area of residence. The trash is never-ending.

I decided to create a garment from some of the litter I had collected to make a bold statement – this is an issue we cannot ignore.

The garment is made from many plastic bags, bottles and crisp wrappers, as well facemasks, nylon rope and other random bits of trash.

Unfortunately, I could not salvage everything because some of the litter had already deteriorated into microplastics. The garment is made for the sole purpose of showing how plastic pollution is consuming humanity at an alarming rate. Wearing the garment alone was so stifling; I felt trapped and engulfed in the mess humanity had left behind. It made

me realise just how badly our oceans and wildlife are suffering with this problem day in, day out. Despite the grave facts and figures, there is a glimmer hope. It all starts with us.

We are all responsible for our actions. It is as simple as disposing of your litter correctly and making a conscious effort to protect and preserve the environment we all share.

There are many things you can do to turn this situation around. Join your local beach clean events, promote clean beaches and educate one another on the importance of keeping our environment clean and safe for future generations to come.

One action may seem insignificant, yet when done collectively by the nation, we can make a big difference.

For any avid beach cleaners, feel free to contact me on Instagram: @victoria.teo_ The garment created and worn by Victoria Teo is a literal and figurative indicator of how plastic pollution is well out of hand.

www.womanthismonth.com

October 2020

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BEAUTY | news

GIVENCHY’S KEY TO BEING ICONIC In 2019, Givenchy reinvented Le Rouge, its most iconic lipstick, drawing inspiration from Haute Couture fabrics to design three complementary variations. In addition to Le Rouge and Le Rouge Night Noir came an ultra-pigmented, totally matte, divinely comfortable version: Le Rouge Deep Velvet. Dressed in a red velvet case which echoes its powdery matte finish, Le Rouge Deep Velvet embodies the chic and sensorial attributes of the Maison.

This iconic lipstick is now available in eight new catalogue colours plus a limited-edition shade, all of them highly pigmented – and full of personality.

LOADED, LIFTED AND READY TO GO WITH CHARLOTTE TILBURY!

We’ve been searching for a miracle mascara that delivers instant volume, length and stretch for a 24hour vertical lift effect and the lashes of our dreams!

So, we were excited to find that Charlotte Tilbury has launched the new Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes mascara. This product is developed with an exclusive, innovative paddle brush with easy-to-use load, comb and lift technology which also gives you a humidity and smudge-proof look.

Charlotte herself says the mascara is “for every lash, every eye shape, EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE!” Sounds promising!

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Divine THIS WINTER Whether it’s skincare, makeup or a fresh new fragrance that puts a skip in your step, we’ve got you covered! Here are our top beauty essentials from leading brands this month.

A DELICATE BALANCE WITH CHANEL

Reminiscent of the classic fragrance, this intimate version is bathed in soft light, the ultimate olfactory expression of COCO MADEMOISELLE. The COCO MADEMOISELLE L’EAU PRIVÉE from Chanel is designed to be sprayed in an enveloping gesture before bed, as generously on the skin as on the hair or even a negligée.

A shiver of citrus and a vibration of patchouli make it a must have for nighttime routines.

www.womanthismonth.com

BEAUTY | news

MISSHA’S EYE ESSENTIALS

The eyes are the window to the soul, and what better way to frame them then with a gorgeous pop of colour? Korean skincare and cosmetics brand, Missha, has these wonderful, easy-to-blend triple eyeshadow palettes that are perfect for those who are always on the go, as you can achieve a gradient eye look with just your fingers- no brush or makeup applicators needed. The packaging is also compact and lightweight, making it perfect to keep in your handbag to easily transition from day to night makeup looks. To firmly keep your eyeshadow in place, you can use the Missha Color Fix Eye Primer which helps it last all day long and keeps it from creasing.

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ’S PURELY LUXURIOUS MUSC

If you’re looking for a fragrance that reveals the purity and essence at the heart of musc, Narciso Rodriguez’s for her PURE MUSC eau de parfum absolue is the special limited-edition perfume that you need to get your hands on. The fragrance lends a profoundly exotic and sensual floral aura to its heart of musc making it an essential this season. The enveloping olfactory depth of the rare musc is enriched with floral notes, including new exotic Ylang Ylang note and more Jasmine while a hint of soft creamy cedarwood adds unexpected mystery.

FRESH FACED WITH FENTY

For a truly effortless, fresh look inspired by Rihanna’s flawless aesthetic, check out Fenty Beauty’s gorgeous bronzer, blush and highlighter for a stunning glow all year round.

To layer that colour and highlight it just right, apply the Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer on cheeks, temples and the bridge of your nose to add instant warmth to your face. For a healthylooking flush on cheeks and lips, sweep on the Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush and layer as desired for a vibrant pop! Amp it up with a Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter of your choice for that ultimate radiance to keep your skin looking LIT!

SELF-CARE AND RELAXATION STARTS WITH RITUALS! The Amsterdam Collection from Rituals is an exclusive collection of home and body products, created in an exclusive partnership with the Rijksmuseum, which was launched in the summer of 2019. Following its astounding success, the Amsterdam Collection will be expanded into a global limited-edition range.

The wondrous Amsterdam Collection is infused with Dutch tulips and Japanese yuzu: fragrant symbols of when historic Amsterdam first connected with the beauty of ancient Asia. The beautiful packaging features a design inspired by an iconic Delft Blue vase, portraying Asian flowers and birds in Delft Blue, making it an ideal gift too! Our top picks for the line are the Foaming Shower Gel and Body Cream for the ultimate relaxation combo. www.womanthismonth.com

October 2020

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PEOPLE | interview

e t a r o p r o C From e v i t a e to Cr tive “The crea ild who h c e h t s i t adul survived.”

vourite e of our fa n o r e v e r Fo tures the fectly cap r e p it , s -based quote e Toronto th f o ty li sician, persona er and mu screenwrit sica Almeida.

Jes Marushka

A third culture kid, born in Bahrain and bred in India Marushka was on her way to becoming a South Asian’s parents’ dream - a chartered accountant. However, taking a series of interesting leaps, she successfully moved from corporate to creative and is now in “development hell” with her dark comedy half-hour series ‘Tendencies’ and her digital IPF funded series ‘Get Up, Aisha’.

Here’s what she has to say:

A still from the series ‘Get Up, Aisha’

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PEOPLE | interview

What can you tell us about your upcoming project – writing for Get Up Aisha?

It's a dream and a nightmare all at the same time. We have a very tight turnaround and we spend night after night pulling teeth to make sure that the story is authentic for the character and for her journey with depression. We find out in a couple of months -- if the show has been picked up for the season so fingers crossed!

You were previously a resident of Bahrain.

How long did you live here and would you say that the experience of being raised in the Middle East has contributed to your creative side?

I was born in Bahrain and lived there for a little more than twenty years before moving to Mumbai and eventually Toronto. I think that every environment and every experience plays a part in the creative psyche. So, growing up in Bahrain definitely did.

It’s quite interesting that you made the shift from being a Chartered Accountant to being a creative writer. What made you take the leap of faith?

It wasn't so much a leap of faith as it was a belly flop into the abyss. Honestly, accounting was/is boring (to me!) Don't hate me, accountants! I couldn't see myself doing that 9-5 for the rest of my life. Once I figured out what I didn't want to do -- the rest came easy.

Have you always wanted to pursue a career in creative writing for the TV and Film industry?

No, I didn't. Not at all, actually. I've always been interested in many things. I wanted to work in the music business. I'm interested www.womanthismonth.com

A still from the series ‘Get Up, Aisha’ in sociology and human behavior. My entire career up until this point was about figuring out what I didn't want to do. Writing for TV came to be by absolute chance and for now...

I'm enjoying it.

What path did you take to being a creative writer? How did you manage to break into the scene?

I did a postgrad degree in TV and Film Writing at Humber College in Toronto. I was really lucky with breaking in -- I pitched an idea for a half-hour TV show to a high-ranking executive and she loved the idea. She became my fairy godmother and introduced me to many people including my literary agent and work mom -- Sohrab Merchant.

Could you tell us a bit about your past projects? Which would you consider your most exciting project to date?

I write half-hour dark comedies/dramedies that usually feature South Asian women in unconventional situations. In a phrase, I find tragedy and death fascinating and I usually try to put a comedic spin on it -because life is a mixture of both. (I'm not insane, I swear...just morbid) I don't know if I have a 'most exciting project' since they're all so different - it's a bit like picking a favorite child so I will be diplomatic and say...I hate them all.

How about those pursuing a writing career in the film industry?

Be wary of the people who'll constantly be pitching their 'very interesting' lives that you just have to make a movie on. All kidding aside, be prepared for rejection and criticism.

It's nothing personal and it's just a part of the game.

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced to date?

PROCRASTINATION. Writing is hard and it's even harder when the Office is on Netflix.

Any plans of ever working on a project centered around Bahrain?

Yes! I have this idea for a horror-comedy taking place in those cool eerie caves right by the Tree of Life. The one place that I always visit when I come to Bahrain.

What would be your advice to people making a career shift?

This is probably not the coolest answer but the accountant in me recommends -- 'Always hedging your bets'. Make sure you have something to fall back on, just in case.

October 2020

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LIFESTYLE | home

Courtesy Home Centre

CURL UP Armchair MisuraEmme

AWESOMELY AUTUMN

There will soon be a nip in the air; time to curl up on a cosy couch with a warm pumpkin latte in hand. Revel in the scent of all things autumn amidst home décor that reflects the change in season. You need not go all out to incorporate this golden season into your interiors, just a few key pieces - a throw, comfy cushions, a dinner table centrepiece, or a statement lighting feature – will suffice. Do remember to make the most of the rich colours of Fall.

Think browns, burgundy, mustard, dark hues of green, pumpkin, melon and deep blues to underline your charming home décor.

Courtesy Home Centre

VELVET PLUSH Throw THE One

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LIFESTYLE | home

LIGHT GLOBULES Lamps Natuzzi

DRAW THE DRAPES Curtains Home Box CRYSTAL SUNBURST Wall Clock namshi.com

SHAGGY TEXTURED Rug Home Box

FALLING LEAF Table Accessory Lifestyle

TEAL FEEL Wall Mirror THE One LIE BACK Cushions Lifestyle

LIE BACK Cushions Lifestyle

SIT IN STYLE Sofa Angelo Cappellini SWAY WITH ME Bench Lifestyle

FEET UP Recliner Home Box

www.womanthismonth.com

IN THE WOODS Coffee Table Insidherland

October 2020

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

SELF-CARE DURING A PANDEMIC Ouiam Charkani El Hassani tells us how to cope with the changes presented by the pandemic.

Mothers are on edge since the COVID-19 beast has been on the loose. Not only are they stressed about the safety, and well-being of their kids and themselves, they are also being pulled and tugged in every possible direction you can think of.

Schools have been closed since last February - and this alone has caused enough trauma to many mothers out there that no psychologist can ever fix. Some schools have reopened last month, and some parents have chosen to send their kids to school, yet their stress level is through the roof, every second of every minute their kids are away from the safety of their arms. On the other hand, some parents have opted for online schooling, which means the little rascals are still invading each and every minute of peace parents would ever dream of having.

These same beaten, exhausted, and traumatized mothers, are also being denied the universal right of getting together with a friend, and having a cup of coffee, or indulging in a heavenly massage and a whole

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60 minutes of silence, without hearing the word “Mama” 300 times per minute! Not only are their cups way below the red line, making them prone to collapsing any time soon, they are also unable to fill that cup with anything other than the very little sleep they get every night, and maybe some few spoons -or tubs, no judgement here- of ice cream when the kids are finally in bed. The nature of the COVID-19 virus means that information is changing rapidly, and so are all the plans guided by that information, in other words: NO ONE knows when you will be able to put on your fancy heals, your red lipstick, and head for a girls-night-out, so it might be just wise to sit and think of ways to fill up that cup before it is too late.

Here are some ways you can actually practice self-care during a pandemic: Change your attitude.

overcomes challenges. This time is truly a gift sent from heaven, to you and your family. You probably will never have them this long in your nest ever again!

I am not saying pretend everything is fine, but do try to keep your frustrations and anxieties from ruining your day. “Fake it until you make it” kind of thing and remember your children are always listening and watching.

Be honest with your kids.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying things like “Mommy really needs a minute on her own, right now. She will come back to you happier and ready to have some more fun”.

Kids can absorb more information that we can ever give them credit for. They are very resilient, and can show an immense amount of empathy and understanding.

I know this is hard. Big time, but this is a great opportunity to demonstrate to your kids, how your family deals with difficult situations, and www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | opinion

Get all glammed up.

Put on some nail polish, put on some make up, wear some fancy clothes, even if it is to wash the dishes and fold the laundry!

Looking good will help you feel good.

Create time for yourself.

I know it is practically impossible to make time for yourself, because between the house, husband, and kids, there is hardly any time to spare. However, I am saying “CREATE time!” Make yourself a priority on that list. You don’t need more than 10 minutes to yourself, every day to be able to function somehow normally. Wake up 10 minutes earlier and do some meditation, stay up a bit late and watch an episode of the series you’ve been hearing about. Tell the kids that it is quiet time after lunch, and encourage them to stay in their room reading, while you rest. Ask the kids to help you around the house, this way you get some extra time to read a book before dinner.

Look at your day and see when you can fit 10 minutes JUST for you!

Start a new project, or finish an old one.

You always wanted to tackle embroidery? Well there you go, that is your time! You once started writing a book, but never finished it? Then what are you waiting for?

Make sure when you look back in time, you would be happy about how you have spent this very long break.

Take a break from your phone.

As much as I would hate to say it, but it is true, phones and social media are adding to your stress.

Ditch your phone for a bit, and go for a walk, or a drive, or even take a bath, whatever works for you.

We -moms- are the glue that holds the family together, if you are running on very little, to no self-care at all, everything will crumble and slip through your fingers. www.womanthismonth.com

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FEATURE | accessory

Get Your Arm Candy!

Bracelets, watches, bangles and more to adorn your wrist.

Jewellery has a way of being effortlessly timeless when designed by some of the leading brands. This month, we were blessed with a bounty of watches, bracelets, bangles and more that will sit pretty on your wrists!

The Fendimania Bracelets The Fendimania Collection welcomes the Fendimania Bracelet, a new version of the signature watch for women and men with a modern bracelet accented by the iconic FF logo-shaped bezel, for a structured yet elegant aesthetic.

The Fendimania Bracelet for women is graced with mother-of-pearl and diamonds on the dial to seamlessly blend elegance and modernity.

The Seiko Quartz Dress Collection The ladies SEIKO SUR624P is a Special Edition piece that is part of the quartz dress collection. This spectacular rose gold watch is adorned with 13 Swarovski crystals on a mother of pearl dial including two stunning pink crystals at the 12 O'clock marker.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s High Jewellery Introducing two new High Jewellery watches for 2020, Jaeger-LeCoultre places its Calibre 101 in the spotlight again. The two entirely original designs reaffirm the unique alliance between high jewellery and fine watchmaking.

The Tiffany Bone Cuff Tiffany & Co. announces new specialedition designs of Elsa Peretti’s Bone cuff to celebrate the icon’s 50th anniversary and Peretti’s love of color. The powerfully feminine Bone cuff feature sterling silver with black jade, sterling silver with turquoise and 18k yellow gold with green jade to follow in September 2020.

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Moraglione 1922 Malachite We love these bangles, tastefully crafted by the Italian jewellery brand Moraglione 1922. Their use of the stunning green stone malachite creates an exquisite, yet calming aesthetic for any outfit.

www.womanthismonth.com

In Her Shoes

last word

This month we delve into the beautiful world of Jenny Qaed, a Bahraini model and Marketing Coordinator at Khalid Almoayed and Sons.

What is your dream holiday destination?

Who is your greatest inspiration in life?

One that I can spend with my family in Holland, by the farms and gardens, so we can all enjoy their famous flowers like their beautiful tulips.

My greatest inspiration in life is my dad, my king. He’s the only person who loves unconditionally expecting nothing in return. He has been my biggest support and my teacher in life and has always directed me to the right path leading me to be in a place that I am proud of myself for how strong and independent I am.

What is the first thing you’ll do once the world beats the coronavirus?

Life has been very difficult for everybody on this planet. We have all postponed our dreams, accomplishments – our normal life basically. I would be beyond happy to go back to my old life when I could plan my day without any strings attached like the ones keeping us on hold for now. I would be very happy to see my family that I haven’t seen in seven months now and live my life without fear.

Name three things you can always find on your nightstand.

My Doll, a lamp and a book to read.

Jenny

If you could give your 16-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Stop eating junk food or oily food.

Don’t watch the movie ‘IT’ by Stephen King.

What is your favourite movie of all time?

Since I was a young girl, I have been the biggest fan of Tom Hanks and have seen all his movies. I would say my favourites are Captain Philips and Cast Away, which really touch my heart every single time. I also can’t forget Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) which was based on Freddie Mercury’s life.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

My father always encouraged me to be independent, get whatever I want on my own by working hard for it as, in the end, my dreams are achievable by myself.

I still remember the day I was crying about something and my dad told me, “You can’t have everything you want. Sometimes the ship sails in the other direction.” www.womanthismonth.com

What would your life be incomplete without?

My family. I can’t live without my father, sister and her daughter - my small family.

My career too as I consider myself lucky to work where I work right now, and last but not least, my friends who been always been there for me on my good and bad days, helping me get through a lot of difficulties in life.

Cats or dogs?

Of course, dogs. I have been raising dogs all of my life - mostly German Shepherds.

October 2020

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