Hi there, it's your old friend checking in...
I've been away, literally...
And I'm currently posting from the Middle East. Where they really do have lima bean fields... I think
So, I'm on a project thing for the next three months - and that means I'm up and down to the Middle East like Tony Blair... but hopefully with better results.
It's not really anything like I thought it would be...
I was absolutely anxious about coming here - worried about islam, terrorism, americans etc etc...
But I was completely wrong... The particular part I'm in is great - really nice people, lovely food and a warm welcome across the board... I can even watch Champion's League games here - which was of course the first question Tiberius asked me...
I've seen all kinds of dress - from the full letterbox veil business, to women in short skirts and high heels... It really is a place that confounds expectations...
The working week where I am runs from Sunday to Thursday - so Friday and Saturday are the weekend... which is weird - and not helpful when everybody in Ireland is still in the office on Fridays...
So, the people I am here with have taken a day trip down the country - but because I still haven't made enough progress I decided not to go and to work instead...
I spend the morning in the cafe in one of the big hotels. wreathed in smoke as the lads around me puffed away on the hookahs or "hubbly bubbly" as they're called...
Then, on the recommendation of one of the locals we work with, I decided to try and find a little bookshop / cafe place. So armed with only vague directions - "go to The First Circle and then go down that side street" - I hopped in a cab, with a cab driver who had no english. At all. None.
We had to keep stopping pedestrians to ask if they spoke English. Eventually we stopped a policeman. He had no English. Luckily my mastery of sign language enabled me to symbolise a Circle and then the No. 1
Off we went.
And then we got lost again.
In a one way system.
My driver was freaking out... frankly I was relatively undisturbed - after all I'd been in the cab for ten minutes and the fare was still under a euro!
We kept on stopping people. No English. Eventually we found the English speaker - who promptly hopped in the cab with us - and made sure I got to my cafe...
It turns out he worked for the Meridien Hotel and was happy to help... It wouldn't happen in Dublin...
Cafe is very cool - jazz on, big leather chairs, wireless and a great big mojito just arrived!
Happy days...
More soon from your Middle East correspondent
C No. 2
Friday, April 25, 2008
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Sounds absoloutly great ,enjoy it
ReplyDeleteOH GOD!
ReplyDeleteI hate you!
Fascinating! Wondered where you were, no blog action for a while.
ReplyDeleteSo are you in a compound? Or are you out there with the people. How come you can buy rundrinks? SOunds gorgeous.
Hospitality v important there, not like our cead mile fake failtes.
Enjoy!
I was only concerned because I know how badly our friend takes it if he doesn't see ManUre in the Champions League. I have often been the recepient of a text along the lines of "In Kiev/Mongolia/Aushchwitz/Darndale know anywhere I can see the football?"
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back C#2. Glad to see you're taking my advice about the mojitos! Wish I was back there. I'm hoping to make Syria later this year but it's only a small chance.
ReplyDeleteAils, is your nephew, my cousin still over managing the meridian hotel, I wonder if it was himself who took the taxi ride.
ReplyDeleteC no.2 was this persons name Anthony, or Tony? good to see you are enjoying your time there, take care and good to hear from you in the middle east.