These kind of holidays should always be a family occasion, yet none of us have our families around us, so there is the need to improvise!
We invited all the staff around for Easter dinner, a full on, 3 course dinner.
We had prepared for this in advance, and the staff had brought Easter eggs back for the kids and sprouts for Easter dinner - what more do you need?
The kids left their baskets out on the evening before and awoke to them being filled with all sorts - eggs, sweets, chocolate bunny - although this year no stuffed Easter bunny - an Easter camel instead!
We had all the table laid out, with bunny footprints and Easter napkins and an Easter tree crafted by the kids.
Watching all our friends sat around the table, enjoying each others' company and the food was a real warming experience, a real reminder of family.
And a reminder that our friends are of great importance, especially living this kind of lifestyle where your 'home' can change every few years!
So we began with a choice of homemade chicken lover pate or homemade broccoli and Stilton soup - catering for different tastes and vegetarian! Although some people had both! :-) (which always makes the chef's happy!)
For our main we had a leg of lamb with all the trimmings, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, sprouts, and all of the other vegetables seasoned with flavored butters.
For dessert, traditional trifle, of course and a home made cheesecake, followed by the coffees and after eight mints! There are some traditions that just follow you, no matter where in the world you may be!
Our guests were so gracious and happy, enjoying every bit of food and making the appropriate 'yummy' noise at intervals!
The kids loved the fact that there were other grown ups all around, giving them the opportunity of attention from all angles - and to add to that so were we - a nice little respite!
The day had begun at 1.30pm and we partied through until our last guest left at midnight, a truly fabulous and fun filled day, that varied from the civilised, to games on the Wii to dancing to the Rocky Horror Show music later in the evening!
This day made me realise, that wherever in the world you are you can make the most of celebrations. Just because the customs may be different in other countries, doesn't mean you can't keep a bit of what you are used to. It is good for the soul, it is a reminder of your roots and who are you and what you are about. So OK, it may have been a bit of a different kind of Easter here in Saudi, but it was Easter all the same, great friends, good food and most importantly cadbury's cream eggs!!!! Really, what more do you need?
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