My great and good friend, Hadi Abushakra, is retiring from the World Bank at the end of this year. In honor of this happy event, a small dinner party was held last night at the wonderful Greek restaurant Kellari Taverna in D.C. We dubbed it "The Last Supper" but I think it was the beginning of many last suppers. Hadi is seated among the ladies in the front row, blue shirt, no tie, like he was already retired. Why did I get dressed up?
Needless to say, the wine flowed, the food was amazing (more octopus, please) and the raucous laughter cleared away most of the tables around us. A night to remember.
Click on “Read more” below to see a few more photos.
Alex Iorio came up with a great series of questions which named (mostly) famous figures who exemplified some of Hadi’s best character traits or consuming interests. One of those mentioned was Omar Sharif and, naturally, we all thought she was comparing Hadi’s good looks with those of the incomparable Omar. Not so. Turns out that Omar, like Hadi, was a brilliant bridge player. Ah well, Hadi, I think you look like Omar Sharif! And I’m Lawrence of Arabia.....
From L to R: Kirsten, Anthony (recently retired), Charles (just back from the Paris climate change talks) and Una, focusing on the camera instead of Hadi. Good choice, Una.
Gennady (on the left) and Duncan were engaged in deep discussion about Duncan’s upcoming job interview the next morning. Considering the amount of wine consumed, we just hope Duncan made it to the interview and was able to speak.
Dear Zoe of the Mona Lisa smile. Zoe was the only Greek national amongst us and was able to work out the menu which resembled something out of The Iliad. I was left to choose the wine by pointing at various items on the wine list and managed to order an excellent red and a rather acerbic white.
I think these ladies had been reading Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” book because they were all tilting in Hadi’s direction. Either that or the white wine was getting to them. L to R: Siobhan, Alex, Hadi and Kirsten.
I honestly cannot remember exactly what Irina was protesting about or questioning but it now looks like she thought I was after her food!
A good night was had by all; but maybe in the cold light of dawn we wondered whether that last glass of wine and complimentary liqueur were really necessary.
Have a happy retirement, Hadi. You have well and truly earned it and we have a whole lifetime left to moan about the Bank and how come they never let us do the exit interview!!
Needless to say, the wine flowed, the food was amazing (more octopus, please) and the raucous laughter cleared away most of the tables around us. A night to remember.
Click on “Read more” below to see a few more photos.
Alex Iorio came up with a great series of questions which named (mostly) famous figures who exemplified some of Hadi’s best character traits or consuming interests. One of those mentioned was Omar Sharif and, naturally, we all thought she was comparing Hadi’s good looks with those of the incomparable Omar. Not so. Turns out that Omar, like Hadi, was a brilliant bridge player. Ah well, Hadi, I think you look like Omar Sharif! And I’m Lawrence of Arabia.....
Gennady (on the left) and Duncan were engaged in deep discussion about Duncan’s upcoming job interview the next morning. Considering the amount of wine consumed, we just hope Duncan made it to the interview and was able to speak.
Dear Zoe of the Mona Lisa smile. Zoe was the only Greek national amongst us and was able to work out the menu which resembled something out of The Iliad. I was left to choose the wine by pointing at various items on the wine list and managed to order an excellent red and a rather acerbic white.
I think these ladies had been reading Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” book because they were all tilting in Hadi’s direction. Either that or the white wine was getting to them. L to R: Siobhan, Alex, Hadi and Kirsten.
I honestly cannot remember exactly what Irina was protesting about or questioning but it now looks like she thought I was after her food!
A good night was had by all; but maybe in the cold light of dawn we wondered whether that last glass of wine and complimentary liqueur were really necessary.
Have a happy retirement, Hadi. You have well and truly earned it and we have a whole lifetime left to moan about the Bank and how come they never let us do the exit interview!!
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