Beach and Feast in Dubai - Essay Example

?Beach and Feast Instructions: Task: At the Beach Although I had been to Dubai several times before, I had never visited the Jumeriah Beach. I had occasionally heard that my friends described it as a haven of comfort, peace and tranquility. However, I had always regarded their claims with sheer skepticism. Today, convincing myself that the Jumeriah beach is not a pleasant place is just pure sophistry. It is always a destination for thousands of people who visit the place for relaxation. Spending a three week holiday at the beach was a prospect that I found particularly appealing. The choice of the venue was apt and my siblings found it equally compelling. I continually struggled to get used to the nagging voice of Joyce, my younger sister. She asked many questions. Perhaps she thought I had been there earlier. Her sympathies could not lie with the fact that I remained silent in spite of her continuous effort to draw my attention. I was not going to tell her anything though I knew she would stay aloof if I did not. One morning, I decided to walk Joy around the beach. I glanced perfunctorily at her face and held her left hand. Dad and mum were chatting some distance away while Diana, my elder sister lazed by the cool, manicured beach. A few miles away, I could see a calm sizeable crowd. I decided to walk to the scene and witness the unfolding drama. It did not take us long before we were there. As soon as we arrived at the scene, it broke from its tranquil condition and erupted in song and dance. The crowd began to shout and yell with excitement. I came to realize that there had been a music concert going on at the place for a week, and it was to continue for the next two weeks. A group of dancers hit the stage as a precursor to the next artist and blew away the crowd. The audience roared wildly, fully enveloped and massaged by the beats. The next performer in stage was a renowned artist, Luis Katrina, who stepped up as the audience went wild. She did not disappoint. She did a rendition of her latest song ‘New Dawn’ and left the stage. We did not stay longer either. We immediately left the place, but I promised to attend the concert for the rest of the days. The trip to Dubai was undoubtedly a gratifying one. Every morning we woke up to a new surprise as the beach was a beehive of entertaining events. I met new friends and learnt to play new games. I was never a proficient swimmer before, but the practice at the Jumeriah Beach helped improve my swimming expertise. In addition, I loved the dishes at the Mediah Jumeriah resort. Although grilled beef has always been my best dish ever since I was young, the one prepared at the resort was extraordinarily delicious. It smelled yummy too. We were not happy to leave the place when the three weeks elapsed. I gave a reluctant smile and entered my dad’s car. It had been all fascinating. Bobby’s send-off Party Bobby, my younger brother, attends an elementary school in a town away from home. His mid year holidays were coming to an end with barely a week to go. As usual, dad arranged for his send-off party. However, this one was to be slightly different. He had no inkling that dad had been arranging for his party. Bobby’s typical day is always a beehive of events. He gets up earlier than everybody else in the compound when it is still as dark as the yawning grave, starting his day in the gym. It is not out of character to find him in the physical exercise room as early as 3.00 am. After which, he continues with other activities in his plan including playing basketball in the evening. This exact day, he came back in the evening from the basketball court looking all drained. His shirt was soaking wet and dirty. He was exhausted like an old worn-out shoe. As usual, he never talked to anyone until he took a cold bath. From the bathroom, he immediately rushed into the kitchen and found me holding a clove of garlic in my hands. If it were any other day, he would have had a nap as was accustomed to him. “Hi sister, are you preparing something with garlic and meat?” He asked. “Yes, of course”, I replied with a welcoming smile. I could read from his visage that he was as clam happy, perhaps because, meat served together with rice was his best dish. Nobody in the family does not that Bobby loves meat just like I do to grilled chicken. So it was not difficult to decide on the main dish to prepare in his party. I left Bobby in the kitchen and galloped to the supermarket as fast as a jack rabbit in front of a prairie to buy some of the seasoning that were not in the family food store. The supermarket is not far away from home so I did not stay out for long. At about 5.00 pm when I had come back, I told Kofi the chef to chop up the fruits I had bought and asked him to keep them in separate bowls for me. Just when I had started cooking, I heard a thunder of irritating noise downstairs. I felt scared. I immediately rushed to witness to myself the unfolding dramatic event. Kofi met me with an unusually kind smile. Sort of, it was him. He had been pounding so hard on the rosemary, garlic and lemon zest out of excitement. He is one person who can never contain his enthusiasm. Through the sitting room windows, I could see mum waiting impatiently for me to finish cooking. I noticed that her face was weary of all animation and color. However, I was sure she was exceedingly happy since I was preparing her best dish too. I quickly rushed back to the kitchen upstairs at the speed of lightning to continue preparing food. Before cooking the lip-smacking chicken wings, I left them in the marinade after which I transferred them to the fridge and prepared all the remaining food with the help of Kofi. Kofi is a trained proficient cook too. He is not young at age, but mum prefers him to any other chef she knows. He has worked for us for thirteen years. As I cut through the succulent leg of the lamb, the flavors of the seasonings I used brought a pleasing smell in the house. Just like he does every day when he is home, Bobby came to the kitchen to help me carry the food to the dining room. He could not have waited any longer. The arrangement of the dining table was exceedingly pleasant as a king’s palace. We all sat around the table eagerly waiting to start enjoying the yummy dishes. Mum served the food with a broad smile on her face. My dad sat at the extreme head of the table while Bobby sat next to him. I had never prepared such a delicious meal before. Perhaps it is true, what mum says that I am a better cook than her. The feeling of the chicken wings in my hands after pouring the flour over it had almost been unbearable. However, this was totally different from the sweet taste I felt in my mouth. The lamb looked so succulent, and everybody appreciated it. Dad was no exception. Bobby’s send-off party was indeed a fantastic experience. Read More