Somehow my harassing phone calls and awkward interviews with the ambassador landed me on the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya’s mailing list, netting me an invitation to last night’s reception honoring the Great First of September Revolution.
The food was great, though other than a mound of hummus and some olives it was hardly Libyan fare. Since alcohol is banned in Libya, it wasn’t served here, either:
Older woman lobbyist: See, you were smart and are eating before getting your drink. It’s hard to eat off your plate while holding a glass.
Me: Yeah, I try not to drink fruit juice on an empty stomach.
Older woman lobbyist: Oh, why is that? Is it a medical reason?
Me: Uhh, no…you see it’s a joke.
Older woman lobbyist: [stares blankly]
Me: It’s a joke because the juice isn’t alcohol…and people shouldn’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach…
Older woman lobbyist: Oh…HAHA! That’s funny. Because they are not serving alcohol, just fruit juice.
They also showed a thrilling DVD about an intrepid group of balding white men in suits on their adventures in Libya and it somehow involved space travel. Maybe it was a preview of the new Indiana Jones?
The ambassador said that Congressman William Jefferson from California was there. Did he mean from Louisiana? You know – the guy with $90,000 in his freezer?
I also picked up my copy of the “Arabia felix” lifestyle magazine. It’s an interesting read, though it doesn’t offer tips on how to dress like Qaddafi (how do you wrap those robes without them falling off?). For instance, did you know that the waters off Libya have rich fish resources because the mostly Berber Libyans don’t fancy fish?
I do want to visit the place, now that the U.N. sanctions are lifted. Anyone want to come with?
