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It became known as the V V and Sons Building. But the building was owned by Mr Al Owais and Dubaiside's first "high rise".
The building was new. So were we, four European Expatriate families newly arrived in Dubai. Four apartments on one floor had been rented for us. Our arrival increased the number of European families living on Al Fahidi Street to five! Three weeks after moving in we each received an Invitation from Mr Al Owais. His son was to be married the next day. We were invited to a Wedding Dinner at the newly opened Ambassador Hotel. Dinner was at 7pm. Sheikh Rashid was to attend. We accepted of course.
The next evening four couples walked the half kilometre or so to the Ambassador Hotel, the men in their best suits and the ladies in their newly unpacked evening dresses. We arrived early and joined the crowd waiting outside the Hotel for Sheikh Rashid's arrival. No one was allowed in until after Sheikh Rashid arrived. He arrived just before 7pm. Mr Al Owais greeted him. They moved into the Ballroom where dinner was to be served. The crowd followed. We followed the crowd. The crowd found their own tables. We were guided to a "special table"! "Special"? The table had been laid out with forks and spoons. All the other tables would be eating their food in the traditional Arab way.
The Ballroom was full but we were the only Europeans. Our wives the only ladies of any nationality at the dinner. Our presence was accepted as a normal course of events which, of course, it wasn't. Everyone remained standing until Sheikh Rashid sat down. Then everyone sat down. Food began to arrive. Hommus, fatoush and those dishes that today are known around the world (but not in 1971) were laid out on the tables. No one ate until Sheikh Rashid began to eat. Then conversation stopped and eating began. But not for long! Soon Sheikh Rashid waived his hand at the waiter serving his food. Immediately the food was removed from all the tables. After a pause the next course appeared. Roast Goat, rice and the accompanying hot dishes were laid on the tables. Again no one ate until Sheikh Rashid began to eat but once he did, eating became the sole focus of everyone in the ballroom.
Again Sheikh Rashid soon waived away the food being offered to him and stopped eating. Everyone stopped eating. Sheikh Rashid stood up. Everyone stood up. Sheikh Rashid made his way out of the ballroom. Everyone followed as close behind him as they possibly could. Outside the hotel Sheikh Rashid said farewell to his host, got into his car and was driven away. Less than half an hour after waiting outside the hotel anticipating dinner with Sheikh Rashid, we again found ourselves outside hotel but still hungry! What we should do next?
