The Diplomat

I have a really good relationship with the Qatari men I am currently working with. This has provided me an opportunity to see a little of their lives beyond work. I’ve been for coffee in one of my colleagues Majlis. (meeting tent). He has taken me to a few places I couldn’t visit as an expat. Last night he was invited to the Malaysian National Day celebrations at the Dip Club. He thought it would be a good idea if I went along with him so he made a phone call. The WTA Tennis is on at the moment and to the top ten female players are in town. I had planned to go to the tennis but organised to go with him and then pop into the tennis for the last match. When we got there I knew I was a little out of my league. I think every embassy or consulate had sent their ambassadors to the event. There was me with my little silver fern on my suit lapel standing in the food queue next to the guy from South Korea in front of me and the Belgium ambassador behind me. I survived the initial interactions until my Qatari colleague dragged me along to meet the Malaysian ambassador who was hosting the event, who happened to be sitting with the Qatari deputy minister for foreign affairs. I was invited to sit and join their table so I’m starting to panic a little. Here was this kiwi bloke rubbing shoulders with a room full of fairly important people. I am introduced with a title that basically translated to being the New Zealand international expert working with the Supreme Education Council. (just in case you didn’t know..I’m not) A deferring of my seat to other dignitaries and a hasty retreat to the far corners of the room was in order to munch on my chicken satay with the waiting staff. All in a days work representing my country. One day educationist the next unofficial diplomat