Birthday Treat

Today has felt like a whirlwind! It began fairly leisurely. I worked at Shakespeare to finish off a video that's challenged me more than normal while I waited to collect G. She commented on a flag flying at half-mast as we drove back into town.

We got home early enough to catch Nara again. I was able to chat with him about his plans to return to India for the medical treatment he needs. Because of the rising cases of COVID-19 there, India has declared a lockdown, so it doesn't look like he will be able to get back there, and if he does, it could be months before he can return.

We had a quick lunch before heading out again, this time to meet with a contact given by Patrick to teach Business English in an institute not far from us. Classical music was being played on the radio which means someone important has died. G checked on Google. It is our Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, the elder brother of Sheikh Mohammed. There will be a period of mourning with government offices closing.

The meeting didn't last very long once we found the office (it took twenty minutes). The lady wanted a native speaker to accept £100 to deliver 24 hours of business English in an individual setting. I queried the amount and I could see even she thought it was ridiculous. G reckons it could be good experience. We'll see once she sends over the curriculum.

We were home for a couple of hours before going out again, this time with friend Diane. She arrived back from the UK on Saturday night and wanted to treat me to a birthday drink at the Sky Bar. The weather was perfect. I'm not a cocktails person, but today I tried a Pina Colada for the first time ever! Edwin, our waiter, wowed us when he brought my drink in a coconut shell! It was delicious!

Dusk emerged and it was time for dinner. We went to the Japanese restaurant that G won a meal a few weeks ago. She said how delicious the food was and wanted to check it out again. Having now tried it, she was right! Diane and G both had the Salmon Terriyaki whilst I tried the Beef Teppanyaki which arrived on a sizzling platter. A super evening, the kind you'd like to repeat again. And again. And again. ;)