On Tuesday, I was invited round to Moftah's house to meet his wife and children, and for lunch. It was a lovely afternoon, and a pleasure to be invited out again by one of my students.
Last night, I was invited round to Salem's to eat, and, as always, the food was delicious and the hospitality was wonderful. Whoever wrote in the Lonely Planet that the food in Libya was nothing to write home about couldn't have been more wrong. Whilst the food on the street tends to be a bit repetitive, it is perfectly adequate. The food in the homes is just gorgeous - without exception.
After visiting Salem's stationery shop, we went to his home and I met his family - all of them.The average size of a family here is 6.8, and Salem's is 7 so he's done his bit to keep the numbers high. All of his shildren speak English, most of which has been learned from TV, so their accents are American. Salem himself studied at Aston, although our paths didn't quite cross - I was there a few years before him.
Here we are relaxing after the meal:
We had some interesting discussions about the place of Italians in Libyan history. It was very useful hearing a different perspective. Apparently it was only once Mussolini arrived on the scene that things went badly downhill; up until that point the occupation had been benign, and almost accepted. There was certainly no mass murder. In fact, many Italians stayed on in Libya after the War, and only left, under duress, in 1971 when the situation became more fraught for foreigners - Brits, and Americans included.
Today has been very exciting. It was meant to be a study/tutorial day, so I told the class that I'd be in the office if they wanted to drop in with any particular questions. Well, they did, in large numbers, but not to ask questions - more to fete me with presents and a party:
It has been a lovely day. I felt like a film star - cameras flashing all over the place, people asking to stand beside me whilst our photograph was taken. Such generosity and kindness. This really is a very special place. If a vacancy comes up for a leading position, I think I might apply - I think I've got the appropriate oratorial pose, don't you:
Well, my agent's calling me for a press conference, so I'd better jump into my limo, dodge the paparrazi, and head off into the sunset for endless rounds of champagne and interviews. We media types lead very busy lives, donchaknow.
