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Monday, March 22, 2010

Iranian New Years Celebration.

Too much fun was had by all last night as a group of Indian, Norwegian, Taiwanese, San Franciscan, Boston Irish/Italian, French and English joined some Persian friends for their New Years celebration in a local restaurant. There was a set dinner menu, very good singing group (though I couldn't understand a word) and a splendid Belly Dancer.
More wine than was sensible for a Sunday evening event led to fuzzy heads this morning. My throat was raw from shouting over the music, but I have to say we had a blast. Most of us joined in the dancing,eventually, which is not an every day occurrence. My Moo-ves are of the California Happy Cow variety; not much evolved from the late seventies. When I heard the Iranian version of "I Will Survive" pounding away I couldn't resist having a go. I tried to get someone from our group to join in but it was early in the festivities and the self consciousness hadn't worn off yet. After two dozen refusals a great-spirited Persian beauty from another table offered to jiggle and strut with me, which was a hugely kind and generous gesture. All flashing eyes, raven hair and graceful arms, (her, not me!) but more than anything a friendly disposition.

19 comments:

  1. What a fabulous song, haven't heard that in donkeys years ! Ages ! Depuis belle lurette...

    Sounds like fun...

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  2. You should experience it in Farsi !

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  3. I Will Survive and belly dancing? Sounds like a perfect night out (and even better night in) to me!

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  4. Takes me back to being twenty-something in a nightclub in Manchester! My daughter loves this song - you know it's good when it appeals to the next generation too.

    That's quite the United Nations you've got going, ER.

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  5. California Happy Cow?

    Good grief, ER, you make me laugh!

    Sounds like a fabulous night, but, I want to know what you ate!! Details, woman, details!

    (P.S. Good to see you again xxx)

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  6. oohhh... how I need a great boogie! It does the soul good.. :-)

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  7. Good for you, sounds like you were one of the first ones to catch the dance bug and lose the inhibitions. You have some interesting friends.

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  8. In Iranian?? Interesting...

    My partner and I once had a heated debate over the Weather Girls "It's Raining Men" song - i was trying to explain to her that where most songs are figurative and just use illusions in their song it actually WAS raining men - no euphemisms to be found. she wasn't having any of it though...

    I will survive is excellent - my favourite version was performed by (UK comedian) Hugh Dennis in a dour scottish accent half way through a sketch about a murder mystery - very, very funny

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  9. Steve, a little innuendo to spice up the comment section. Thank you.

    Deborah, my memory was of a Disco near Hamburg and spending all evening shouting over the music, trying to communicate in broken German with a guy who turned out to be as English as me and who couldn't speak German any better than I.

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  10. Kitty, It was fun and the food was tasty. We had a translator for the menu so I can't tell you the exact names of anything. I chose a "stew" with beef and aubergine/egg plant over rice. There were chick peas in there as well and a jar of special dried herbs to sprinkle on top. Nothing crazy spicy.

    Watercats, I thought you might be too young for this golden oldy stuff. It does do a spirit good to have some fun. You are right.

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  11. TechnoBabe, we seem to be expanding our circle of friends lately. We meet friends of friends and get swept up in a new group every so often. I am trying to say "Yes" more often than "No". I have recognized a growing tendency to turn down invitations. (I never used to be a party pooper!)

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  12. Mr. Pixie, That does sound hilarious. It is funny how many songs we assume were originally in English. They can have very different lyrics and connotations from one culture to another. Seasons in the Sun is one that my husband and I argue over when we hear it. He insists the French version is the original. It is quite different.

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  13. You go, Girl!! Sounds like you had a blast.

    Love the dancing descriptions. Sorta sounds like me on the dance floor if the music requires anything more than a random shuffle. 'Course with my bad knees know, I pretty much can't dance at all.

    Just as well. The world is a lot safer this way.

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  14. What a great evening! I have a close friend who was married to an Iranian when she and I first met at work. They lived in Iran for the firstseven years of their marriage and my friend so loved the people and the countryside.

    I joined them in several celebrations at their home in Oregon and found the festivities to be rich with tradition and color and joy. They divorced long ago...in fact he moved back to Iran after his retirement a few years ago.

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  15. Sounds like a great night. 'I Will Survive' is one of those songs no one can resist, like 'Dancing Queen'. I'd have been up there like a shot.

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  16. Fran, Because it was sung in Farsi, I had to think for a while before putting a more familiar title to the song.

    Lydia, we have a lot of Iranian friends and clients. It helps that so many can speak French to my Hubby.

    Jean, so many things are hard on the knees. No Fair!

    Trudi, Fun is good. Sorry it took so long to get back to blogging.

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  17. Just wanted to let you know I spoke with our mutual friend this week, and she is incredibly busy taking care of family business, but is itching to get back on line just as soon as possible. Am hoping to see her this weekend in Paris, there are some bloggers getting together at a photo exhibit... hope you are well, and keeping out of mischief...
    :-)

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  18. Sounds like a great party!

    Pearl

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