continued from Stories from Baghdad

The Orient, once a hub of prosperity, now a target for its survival

The Orient is a small hotel located within the peripheries of the Christian neighbourhoods in central Baghdad. Not uncommon, it is owned by a Kaldanians family and ran by an Armenian family residing in Baghdad. The Orient Castle first opened its doors in 1952. It is evident from the big sign at the front door, once was the door to their restaurant. ince then, it has been a place of hospitality with 20 single bedrooms, 30 double bedrooms and 8 small suites. Unlike the mega hotels, the Orient is a small modest and fairly non expensive hotel, with good service and welcome smile. People working at the hotel are often eager to give you hand or if not simply chatt whenever the time permits. At the walls of the restaurant you can see images surrounding the place of old images of Baghdad in 1950 & 60s. It so seem as if they have been captions in moment in time designed on the walls of the place for good memory. At 6 o’clock in the evening, you can hear sounds of the piano filling the peripheries and people gather for a ramadanian buffet. On the sounds of fairuz, nasri shams Eddine, and some of the old 50’s and 60’s song, you can get a swift sense of the days when all was well and people lived moderately, if not extensively happy at least at ease and secure. It seems that restaurant hosted every other day a local singer and organized soiree evening. Today, the only residents in the hotel are journalists, NGO workers and contractors. The hotel is not filled to capacity and if you are lucky you would get a drink brought in to your room. The Orient is one of the many outlets in Baghdad who’s owners and managers live in fear of a bomb parked on the step doors of its place. Not too long ago, the residents of the hotel woke up to an explosion at the central bank around the corner. Now the place is guarded 24 hours, trying to ensure as possible safety to the residents possible.