Islamabad A memorable farewell dinner was hosted by CEO Serena Hotels and Mrs Aziz Boolani for the Ambassador of Egypt Said Hindam and the Ambassador of Spain Javier Carbajosa which was attended by diplomats and Pakistani friends of the two envoys. It was a formal affair with attractively laid tables and a meal that was so well presented, it made you pause a moment to admire the creativity that went into each course, before digging in! Welcoming his guests, the host said, he and Said Hindam had connected in the beginning over the envoys desire to promote the art of Pakistan and it was his suggestions on who to involve in the process that had made the opening of Satrang Gallery possible. “We have been friends since then and it is always difficult to say goodbye to friends,” he said. Said has made a great effort to promote bilateral ties between Pakistan and Egypt and I wish him all the best for the future.” Praising the Spanish envoys gentlemanly and friendly manner he said the envoy had taken a great interest in the art and culture of Pakistan; had worked hard to further improve ties between Pakistan and Spain. “You and Said will be our guests if you ever come to visit Pakistan,” he said. He concluded by welcoming two new envoys - the High Commissioner of Brunei, Dato Mahmud Saidin and the Charge d’Affaires of Portugal, Jose Manuel De Jesus Carneiro Mendes and thanking all the Serena staff that had helped to make the evening a success. In his response Said Hindam thanked the Boolanis for hosting the dinner; said that Egyptians love Pakistan and its people and show a keen interest in its culture. “If you visit Egypt you will feel at home while interacting with the people,” he said. “They will be more than happy to welcome you.” He went on to say a few appreciative words about Pakistani art and rich culture; said it had been a great experience working in Pakistan and concluded by thanking everyone for their presence. Javier Carbajosa began on a humorous note which gave the guests a chance to laugh and applaud. He thanked everyone for their presence as well as the Boolanis for their kind gesture in hosting the dinner. He was all praise for the CSR activities of Serena and said he had spent so much time there it was almost like home! “I have made many friends in Pakistan and had a very interesting stay here,” he said. “I will treasure the memories.” Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Argentina Rodolfo Martin Saravia came for dessert after attending another dinner and also said a few words in appreciation of the event and its purpose. At such get-togethers, if all goes as planned, there is much humour and camaraderie and so it was this evening. Though it’s sad to say goodbye there are always promises of meeting up again and the ‘friends forever’ mantra, whether it ever happens or not is another matter!
