I did promise to come back to my story... So here I am.
It was an exciting evening, before the weekend, spent at a charity event in a gallery. The cause was two bright, young men have travelled to Brazil, and began a charity based on teaching young, unprivileged children the use of 'safe sex' through music and fun. This has now grown into Africa. Also to help the women with artistic skills to earn a living. Most inspiring. Through Lola's invitation, we attended the event in a fun group.
It was a deja-vu in some ways as we had attended a birthday party together the week before. Where we heard a heart-warming and uplifting live act. The singer's smile alone was touching, but that plus his voice and the passion with which he sang made my skin stand in goosebumps. The crowd of guests gathered close, cheering and dancing.
As the performance came to an end and the guests began to either leave or continue dancing to the tunes of the chosen DJ for the night, I was standing outside, in the enclosed smoking area chatting to Janet whom I met during my last trip. We were catching up on Janet's trips for work, involving another great cause and generally swapping naughty stories and giggling when I turned my head to notice the singer sitting outside at a table. Without looking any further, I excused myself from Janet and walked towards the inspiring singer with open arms, gave him a hug and two kisses on each cheek and said helplessly: "You were amazing. Thank you. You really touched everyone's heart with your singing."
The very popular man gracefully thanked me, while I heard Shada's voice from the next seat.
"Haldita," she said with a straightening tone. "And here's his wife."As she went on to introduce the absolutely stunning woman sitting next to her. This lady had a tan complexion, long, dark, curly hair and a warm smile.
I then went on to kiss her cheekbones as she greeted me with a warm hug.
"You are gorgeous," I couldn't help but tell her what I thought.
She kindly invited me to visit her in her home town which is definitely high on my list of places to 'still see'. A lovely thought... Then again... Who knows?! Life is full of surprises.
Another funny scene I recall from that evening, was Janet and I joined by Aliya; a flirtatious, absolutely Betty Boop character who you cannot but love and her dark, statuesque friend Isa from a band went to the alleyway behind the restaurant to smoke, we were joined by the fit Italian Roberto. None of us seemed to know him but he was very friendly and followed us.
After the introductions of names, Aliya gave Roberto a smile, looking up with blinking eyes and said in a sexy voice: "Roberto, give me a kiss on my lips, just a friendly kiss, come on."
We then watched her round up her full lips together and get closer to the 'poor' boy. He was smiling, slightly shy or perhaps nervous and was not quite convinced this was the correct thing to do.
"Maybe the boy has a girlfriend Aliya?" I tried to get Roberto off the hook.
"No, com' on Roberto, just one friendly kiss, I'm not asking you to snog me!" Aliya was persistent.
"Look, Aliya's gonna give me a kiss on the lips, we're not into women, it's just like a kiss on the cheek." Isa stepped in to help Roberto make up his mind.
And Aliya and Isa kissed; very innocent. Roberto... still not convinced.
"Why don't you kiss all the girls on the lips, then kiss me." Aliya was determined to get that kiss!
We were roaring with laughter when Roberto happily came to each one of us and kissed us on the lips. Then... He still hesitated when it got to Aliya's turn but too late now, he kissed her quickly and stepped back!
When I was a teenager, it was women getting shy and embarrassed by a man's open suggestions! Great to see the world is changing.
Now... To get back to last week's charity event.
Shada was the first person I noticed as I entered. This lady has never ceased to amuse me... She is bubbly, and fun and talks with a certain 'flirty', 'French' attitude and a husky voice. Her collection of necklaces is always a topic of conversation.
The young Sherif was there to also greet me with his caring girlfriend Salomeh. He had on numerous occasions listened to my mad stories and laughed, tapping his two index and little finger in the air saying: "Brilliant, Haldita. Luv it."
And that evening I got to meet Salomeh and we got on wonderfully, sharing stories.
Finally, Lola and Juan arrived and we went on to sit down for dinner and talk. A touching slideshow of photos of the work achieved through the charity was projected to the wall with high ceilings, all in white.
We have left cards at the table next to our plates with our names to bid on various choices. As I looked up to see what was on offer, lot 26 came up... 'a three-day movie-making course'!
Totally gobsmacked, as it was a subject I had looked into many times on the internet but the courses were difficult to get to or so expensive, that I had closed the site off and gone my way.
Now, could it be this was meant to be? For me to experience this passion in life? Well, no use wasting time wondering. I picked up the card with my name, pushed it through the card machine (as the ones we pay with buttons) on the table and pressed lot 26 and started bidding! Just like that. That 'satisfaction' smile appeared again on my face.
Dinner was served, and talks were given. Our table being one of the jolliest, I kept looking up at the screen to check on my lot. Someone was bidding against me but it was not at high stakes. Still affordable. This went on through the evening as we went outside and met new people, met the wonderful head of security; the thoughtful Ash, who kindly showed me the way to the ladies without a queue. Is there a way to solve this ladies' queueing in the toilets? Why is it men don't queue!
Towards the end of the evening, I saw the price go up for the fourth time and not being one to give up, left my last bid while I watched the screen go off. It was the end of the bidding. I GOT IT. Yoopy! The thought of 'Haldita, making movies', well... kind of... Really appealed to me. By now you know what I always say... And Why Not!
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