About a 2 months ago I sat in on a brief meeting about a bid we were submitting for valves in a power plant. The bid was for a long-time customer of ours, BEMCO, only this time the size of the bid was substantial. Normally we were supplying smaller projects and maintenance type quantities, but this time around our bid was in the multi-millions. We submitted our bid and received some positive feedback from BEMCO that we were a contender.
Later that week, Hussain, our salesman who covers the account came to me and said, "Matt, we should visit BEMCO."
"Where are they located Hussain? I am open to any trip to visit them."
"They are in Beirut, Lebanon."
"No problem Hussain. Let me know when we you want to go and I will be ready."
So 2 weeks ago Hussain said BEMCO was open to seeing us on July 31st. This sounded great to me. We made tickets and prepared for the trip.
I decided to fly out of Bahrain because my work visa is still in the works and returning through Dammam is a nightmare without a work visa. I headed over the causeway with Martin on Monday night (July 29th) and spent the evening with friends having dinner and some wine (nice break from Saudi life!). Tuesday morning I headed to the airport, a little anxious about the trip. Martin had gone to Beirut last winter with co-workers at the Shoaibi Group; they had gone skiing in the Lebanon mountains and had a great time. But they were all European and usually had an easier time getting into countries with their passports. Plus, this was Beirut, a city, in a country, that was in a tough, tough neighborhood. With problems escalating in Syria I didn't know what to expect.
The flight lasted 3 hours, so I was in the Beirut airport before I knew it. I walked up to the currency exchange booth and asked what the cost of a visa was (I'd been told I could by them in the airport).
"Free for Americans. Just go up to the booth!" The guy was so friendly, and his English was excellent. Good start.
Up to the immigration counter and a beautiful woman, not given away by her lack of smiling, asked me what my business in Lebanon was..."I'm visiting a customer...leaving on Thursday morning." STAMP! "Have a nice stay." Her excitement was overwhelming...or was that the relief that I had no problem getting into the country.
Out of the customs check and into the airport and there was Issa, my driver. MATT ETTER - FLOWSERVE. My name was spelled correctly! Take note Contra Costa Times. No MAT ELTER, MATT ELLER, MATT ELSTER...you get the point (shout out Lindsay).
Issa drove me to the Coral Beach Hotel where the staff briskly checked me in and took me up to my room. I opened-up the drapes and there was the Mediterranean Sea.
Ok, so there is some construction to the right, but that is another hotel being built. It was amazing to be in Beirut. I went down to the pool and wandered out to the coast. The people were wonderful and all enjoying themselves. Some were fasting during Ramadan, while others were enjoying themselves. Let's be honest, Lebanon has been through a lot of strife, caused by its mix of vast religions and political puppeteers around the world, not to mention its neighborhood. But sitting here, on Tuesday the 31st, life seemed good.
Hussain and I visited BEMCO on Wednesday morning and had a great meeting. We think there is an excellent opportunity for us to win this bid. That afternoon we were taken on a tour of a prehistoric cave. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the stalagmites and stalactites, but the ride to the cave was visual stimulus in its own right. I was knocking-out some emails when Hussain said, "Matt look." In 5 minutes we had gone from the coastline up into the most beautiful valley. The cedar trees were all over and the view was breathtaking, especially for a guy that has lived a flat, flat existence for the past 3 years.
This picture is looking back down the valley towards the sea.
This picture is looking across the valley towards some homes.
After the cave tour, we stopped at a wax museum and had out pictures taken with the Saudi Royal family. I had a particularly awesome smile going, for no reason whatsoever.
That night we headed out to a Lebanese restaurant near the hotel. As always, the food was incredible. We invited our driver to dinner and had an amazing night sitting out under the stars with about 200 other people, gorging ourselves on kebabs, kebbah, hummus, fresh juice and watermelon (healthy dessert of course). Here is a picture of yours truly before the pig-out festival. I wasn't quite ready for the shot, and our driver is laughing. Great moment captured on camera.
In much better form, our driver was ready to style-out. He was a fantastic guest and Hussain and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening.
Thursday morning I headed to the airport, a little bummed that the trip was so short. I had a wonderful time in Beirut and I hope for everyone there that life remains peaceful.
I am back in Saudi now and it is 115 degrees; a far cry from the 98 in Beirut. It's nice to be back home, but part of me misses the traveling. Seeing new places is a blessing, and this was a spot to remember. I brought back a nice box of Lebanese sweets for my Mom and 3 cigars from Cuba. No questions asked when an American buys these outside of the United States - very nice. Another perk of traveling!
Later that week, Hussain, our salesman who covers the account came to me and said, "Matt, we should visit BEMCO."
"Where are they located Hussain? I am open to any trip to visit them."
"They are in Beirut, Lebanon."
"No problem Hussain. Let me know when we you want to go and I will be ready."
So 2 weeks ago Hussain said BEMCO was open to seeing us on July 31st. This sounded great to me. We made tickets and prepared for the trip.
I decided to fly out of Bahrain because my work visa is still in the works and returning through Dammam is a nightmare without a work visa. I headed over the causeway with Martin on Monday night (July 29th) and spent the evening with friends having dinner and some wine (nice break from Saudi life!). Tuesday morning I headed to the airport, a little anxious about the trip. Martin had gone to Beirut last winter with co-workers at the Shoaibi Group; they had gone skiing in the Lebanon mountains and had a great time. But they were all European and usually had an easier time getting into countries with their passports. Plus, this was Beirut, a city, in a country, that was in a tough, tough neighborhood. With problems escalating in Syria I didn't know what to expect.
The flight lasted 3 hours, so I was in the Beirut airport before I knew it. I walked up to the currency exchange booth and asked what the cost of a visa was (I'd been told I could by them in the airport).
"Free for Americans. Just go up to the booth!" The guy was so friendly, and his English was excellent. Good start.
Up to the immigration counter and a beautiful woman, not given away by her lack of smiling, asked me what my business in Lebanon was..."I'm visiting a customer...leaving on Thursday morning." STAMP! "Have a nice stay." Her excitement was overwhelming...or was that the relief that I had no problem getting into the country.
Out of the customs check and into the airport and there was Issa, my driver. MATT ETTER - FLOWSERVE. My name was spelled correctly! Take note Contra Costa Times. No MAT ELTER, MATT ELLER, MATT ELSTER...you get the point (shout out Lindsay).
Issa drove me to the Coral Beach Hotel where the staff briskly checked me in and took me up to my room. I opened-up the drapes and there was the Mediterranean Sea.
Ok, so there is some construction to the right, but that is another hotel being built. It was amazing to be in Beirut. I went down to the pool and wandered out to the coast. The people were wonderful and all enjoying themselves. Some were fasting during Ramadan, while others were enjoying themselves. Let's be honest, Lebanon has been through a lot of strife, caused by its mix of vast religions and political puppeteers around the world, not to mention its neighborhood. But sitting here, on Tuesday the 31st, life seemed good.
Hussain and I visited BEMCO on Wednesday morning and had a great meeting. We think there is an excellent opportunity for us to win this bid. That afternoon we were taken on a tour of a prehistoric cave. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the stalagmites and stalactites, but the ride to the cave was visual stimulus in its own right. I was knocking-out some emails when Hussain said, "Matt look." In 5 minutes we had gone from the coastline up into the most beautiful valley. The cedar trees were all over and the view was breathtaking, especially for a guy that has lived a flat, flat existence for the past 3 years.
This picture is looking back down the valley towards the sea.
This picture is looking across the valley towards some homes.
After the cave tour, we stopped at a wax museum and had out pictures taken with the Saudi Royal family. I had a particularly awesome smile going, for no reason whatsoever.
That night we headed out to a Lebanese restaurant near the hotel. As always, the food was incredible. We invited our driver to dinner and had an amazing night sitting out under the stars with about 200 other people, gorging ourselves on kebabs, kebbah, hummus, fresh juice and watermelon (healthy dessert of course). Here is a picture of yours truly before the pig-out festival. I wasn't quite ready for the shot, and our driver is laughing. Great moment captured on camera.
In much better form, our driver was ready to style-out. He was a fantastic guest and Hussain and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening.
Thursday morning I headed to the airport, a little bummed that the trip was so short. I had a wonderful time in Beirut and I hope for everyone there that life remains peaceful.
I am back in Saudi now and it is 115 degrees; a far cry from the 98 in Beirut. It's nice to be back home, but part of me misses the traveling. Seeing new places is a blessing, and this was a spot to remember. I brought back a nice box of Lebanese sweets for my Mom and 3 cigars from Cuba. No questions asked when an American buys these outside of the United States - very nice. Another perk of traveling!
