Tonight we were part of a scene worthy of the best Dick Francis horse-racing mystery. Characters included a bloodstock agent, a jockey who had just won a big race for the queen, a beautiful, exotic female jockey representing a sultan, a British lord and lady, a Persian photographer who grew more charming as the evening wore on, a mixed group of riders ready to embark on a 300-mile, 14-day trek around the tallest mountains of a small Arab country, the American couple (clearly Tom and I) and the gracious, handsome host of it all. Does it get any better than this? We had so much fun! It felt like receptions and dinners in our last few years in the military, especially in Heidelberg -I have missed that!
It was so very good to see General Abdi again, this time in his own world, in his element, surrounded by people who love and respect him. He wore his dishdasha – very pleasantly Omani and heart warming.
We feel so blessed to have been invited to join his group over dinner tonight, the night before they launch their big adventure. To my left were the two young jockeys, across from them the bloodstock agent and the beautiful woman whom (I think) works for him. Then, we had an owner of a public relations firm that sent her to the far corners of the earth. Next to her was the vivacious Lady, The Lord being at the other end of the table. The charming Persian was to my right and just happened to be the author of a book I had been watching for – it was supposed to have come out in November but I hadn’t seen it available yet. I had even exchanged an e-mail with him. Small world. The others – the table was too long and my memory to short to keep them straight, but clearly, the General, then, was the handsome host. So much fun to draw out each person’s story as the evening wore on!
Tomorrow we will visit the Royal Cavalry, but sadly the General has a budget meeting in which he is the junior, so if it isn’t over in time, we may not see him again there. So happy to have touched base again, however. We are so blessed.
Quite the exotic evening! You know the General from when Tom was in the Army? Another book??
LikeLike
I just now saw your comment. No, not from the Army. If you go back to the very first in this series of blog entries, you will find out how it all started. Ours was an unbelievable beginning – very in character with the little magical country. It began with a gracious act by our General.
LikeLike