This week, we had the arrival of family members from Israel and dear friends from Salvador, Brazil. Juggling dinners, outings, entertaining, hosting and working is always tiring but at the same time very uplifting for the soul. I love company and I love hospitality, both giving and receiving.
Giving hospitality is a very Burmese trait. One's house is always open to guests and food is always readily on hand to offer. In fact the Burmese greeting of hello, "Mingala ba", means, "have you eaten your rice?" My parents would always be entertaining people, related or not, in our home and each guest would bring their own lively personality to the family dynamic.
So tonight, I decided to host everyone for a cocktail at 7pm. Arriving home from work at 6pm, I quickly raced around the apartment picking up papers, magazines, letters, shoes and stray clothing. Glancing at the empty freezer and the inappropriately stocked fridge, I decided to dash to the local supermarket and wine store to make sure my guests would be adequately catered for.
I picked up a bottle of Pimms, Pinot Grigio, peanuts, popcorn and pastries. I laughed at the alliteration of it all : "Tonight's cocktail party is brought to you by the letter P", Sesame Street would say to children. Nostalgically I poured the Pimms to my guests who had never before had the opportunity to taste this refreshingly fruity cocktail so elegantly served at Wimbledon and other very English seasonal events. The Pimms Tent is a feature at so many of these summer venues and it has been far too long since I myself, have indulged.
So cheers! Come visit, one and all - it will be my pleasure to pour my palate-pleasing, party provisions for your particular predilections.
