Honestly.
Immediately following our recovery from the plague, Pasha insisted on redecorating our suites. I think he fears contagion. Which makes the following adventure all the more irritating.
He insisted that Koosha and I accompany him to Cairo and Istanbul to visit the bazaars, to shop, to haggle, to discern -- for him. I had hoped when I signed up for harem life that travel to exotic locations would be a part of the arrangement, but I certainly had no visions of having to work -- ever again. And this was work. I mean, I was sweaty most of the time...
Perhaps he thought it would give a woman great pleasure and a sense of power to spend a man's money and make executive decorating decisions on his behalf. But he has never had to shop with Koosha. Clearly.
With plenty of money to shower on the hawkers of wares both rare-lovely and plastic-hideous, he insisted on talking them down to the lowest price. And then he insisted on telling me all about it as we walked away, even though I had just witnessed his parsimony firsthand. I blame his upbringing -- rummage sales and flea markets and whatnot (but even I must admit, it gave him a wonderful eye for hidden treasures). He then insisted on teaching me how to bargain and dicker. He made me dress in cheap clothing. It was horrible.
I have no idea what Pasha was up to as we dragged his giant wallet through the smells and sights of the great bizaars of the world. I'm sure he was doing something sneaky like visiting museums or reading up on Ottoman history.
Here is a list of our purchases:
- seven Persian rugs
- 25 bolts of silk -- from chiffon to China to crepe to charmeuse to jacquard to douppioni to noil -- in almost every color. We had to carry them ourselves! Again, horrible.
- Opals and lapis in great quantities
- A vase to replace Behnaz's clumsy dancing
- A lovely copper tea service
- five opium pipes
- leather for Pasha's study
At the end of this week-long pain-spree, I forced the maharajah to take us to Paris for two days of relaxation and champagne. Bottles and bottles of Egly Ouriet Ambonnay and one small trip to Cartier for a ruby fix, and I was slightly less ornery.
Upon our return, we discovered that Behnaz had disappeared for a day or two, a fact Ferzaneh couldn't wait to share with Pasha. They are both blackhearted. But then I guess I am, too.
