Iftar at the Ritz Carlton

Thought it was time for an update. Work has been SO busy that looking at a computer again at the end of a long day has not been a happy prospect. However we have done some fun things. We had a staff do last Thursday. At the end of the days fasting in Ramadan there is a feast called Iftar. About 40 of us booked to go to the Ritz Carlton Iftar which starts at 8.30pm. This is the major meal after a smaller snack when the sun goes down about 6pm. We went to this last
year as well and it is great. The huge ballroom area is done out like a tent but
with chandeliers and all manner of beautiful decorations. There is entertainment
and all sorts of food at a never ending buffet

There was a band and singers, all Arabic music and the same whirling dervish as last year. He has a colourful costume and looks like one of those whirling tops we had as kids when he spins around. If you go to Turkey and see the Whirling Dervishes they all wear white but this chaps costume is spectacular in its colour. The first photo is a "still" dervish so you get an idea of his costume and the second is the "whirling" model!

I had a henna design on my hand and many of the team held a falcon for the first time. The photo is of our consultants, Hazel, her feathered friend and the chap that has the falcon for us to play with! We also had shiesha pipes which are fun to smoke but you don't need a photo of me doing that! However the tobacco was grape flavoured and very pleasant. Oh and I did share it with my friend Gaye.

It was a very, very nice night that went on until about midnight when we dragged our weary and very full bodies home.

We are now heading towards our Eid holiday break and the Emir has extended it until 6 October for which I am very grateful. So 25 September - 6 October is a hoilday which we all deserve.