A Casual Dinner with the Prince of Saudi Arabia

So there I was standing at the bus stop Tuesday afternoon after a chaotic day of work when my phone rang. Looking down at the screen and seeing the unknown number I got a little nervous. Needless to say, after a few caipirinhas on the weekends you never really know who you are giving your number to. Putting my doubts aside, I answered and was happy to hear a women's voice on the other end.  

        "Hi Elley, it's Isabela from the abroad office. I was calling because we would like to invite you to a dinner on Thursday with the Prince of Saudi Arabia." Ummmmmmm.

          "He is here visiting Brazil and the FAAP [My university] has organized a dinner for him and you are invited." Ummmmmmmmmmmmm. 

           "It is going to be a really nice event at the President of the University's house, you know the casa rosada (pink house) that sits on the hill above the FAAP. We think you would enjoy it.... Elley are you there?"

            "Uh, um, oh, uh yeah sorry wait so dinner with a prince? and did you say Saudi Arabia? I thought it was just Prince Harry that was the only prince candidate these days?" 

            "Yes, the Prince of Saudi Arabia. Can we confirm that you are going?"

             "But what do I wear? Is it formal? I have class that night. Oh wait, I will skip it duh, its dinner with a prince. Should I bring anything?"Yeah, Elley, bring a salad. The Prince is taking care of dessert and the Brazilian ambassador of France, don't worry, he is taking care of the main dish. Okay, so yeah dumb question. I can hear Isabela laughing on the other end. 

              "No you do not need to bring anything. But yes, it is pretty formal so make sure to dress in something nice. Please arrive at 8:30. I will send you the address via email."  

And just like that I was invited to dinner with the Prince of Saudi Arabia. I feel bad his name is actually Badr Al Saud but for dramatic purposes I am going to keep referring to him as the Prince. 

Thursday came in what felt like an hour after my phone conversation with Isabela on Tuesday afternoon. On the metro home after work I realized I hadn't even thought about what I was going to wear. This is very unlike me- to be unprepared fashion wise. But with work pretty much any brain activity that does not relate to understanding the financial industry in Portuguese has been put on the back burner. Anyways, to save the day who came through? My Fairy Godmother? No. My real Mother! Arriving home the door man handed me a package that she sent with some new clothes for work from the one and only Marshalls. Among the new items (that all fit perfectly)was an adorable navy blue skirt that I was able to combine with a cream colored blouse and my favorite shawl I got at Goodwill for $2. My black leather pumps that I bought for my interview at DB finished off the outfit. 

Wanting to get more done up than usual, I decided to put on some of my roommate's bronzer. Bad idea. For those of you who don't know, I do not understand how to use any kind of makeup that goes beyond your classic Cover Girl mascara. The few times I have gone above and beyond, I have a professional (aka my SLU roommate Taylor Capuano) help me. But I was feeling confident and like I knew what I was doing so I got the fluffy, soft brush and started applying bronzer all over my face. Within about three seconds I actually looked like a leather bag. No, a pleather bag, because leather looks nice. Like, Snookie from Jersey Shore had nothing on me. Panicked, and with a good 7 minutes before I had to leave, I scoured the bathroom medicine cabinet for something to help normalize my face. Reverting to good old soap and water, I was able to wash off the caked on mess. Sorry Prince, no bronzer for you. I hope Cover Girl mascara is enough. 

In the taxi ride over the whole event that was about to happen hit me. I am about to go and have dinner with a prince. Not only that, I actually know absolutely no one at this party. Okay, don't freak out just grab the first glass of wine you see. Plus, even though it might only be in the eyes of your dad, you have always been a princess. This is just a dinner between one Royal Highness to the next. 

After giving my name to the security guards at the gate, I walked up the long drive way to the grand entrance of the Pink House. Now, I want you to imagine the scene in the movie Princess Diaries when she has to attend her first dinner party with all the royals and important people. That is how I felt walking through the stately archway to be greeted by the President of the FAAP along with the Brazilian Ambassador to France. The walls of the house are dripping with famous art pieces, the ceilings of chandeliers, the halls of elaborate statues. I make my way into what seems to be the first of three different living rooms filled with velvet couches to see the Prince standing there. Oh hello Prince. I had greeted everyone else with a kiss but does he get a handshake? Crap did you really just trip on the rug. Recover from the stumble. Damn high heals. 

The photographer is waiting there to take our picture as I stick out my hand to introduce myself. "Hi, I'm Elley. Such a pleasure to meet you."We smile, click, woah flash, and I continue down the line of important people. 

After making my way around the room I find two girls that look my age (thank god) and immediately introduce myself. We instantly bond over the fact that "holy s*** were having dinner with a prince." A minute into our conversation a waiter appears with a nice chilled glass of Moët & Chandon (thank god, again) and the night is off to a good start. 

As we mingled, delicious Brazilian appetizers were brought around: mini pastels (remember these doughy pockets of yumminess?), fried cheese balls (a delicacy), stuffed mushrooms, pigs in a blanket. Yes, fried cheese balls and pigs in a blanket are not exactly what I would think to serve a prince either, but these were surprisingly gourmet. Tip for future dinner parties: easy on the champagne during the hors d'oeuvre hour. Second tip for future dinner parties: Always check chin for hanging pieces of cheese after biting into fried cheese ball. It is unclassy to have piece of cheese dangling from chin while talking to Brazilian ambassador. 

The American Diplomat at the party was coincidentally from Bedford, New Hampshire!  I just about hugged her when we made the connection. I think she was happy too because being fellow New Hampshirans (I made this up) we both know how NO ONE knows where tiny, dinky Live Free or Die is on the map. You either say you are from Boston, or forget it. Anyways, it was a funny small-world coincidence us both being there with the Prince. I am of course, forgetting her name. I tried googling it. Please if anyone knows, comment below! 

THEN ALL THE SUDDEN a brass quartet came out to announce that dinner was served. Okay just kidding it was just the chef. But that would of really made it like a Disney movie! 

Yes, the moment I was waiting for: Dinner for Royals (note plural, I'm including myself). Entering the dinning room there is a table the size of a mini swimming pool lined with silver platters and trays full of, well, incredibleness. Taking my white china plate I approach the princely buffet and request to be served a taste of everything. As my plate makes its way around the line it is filled with sauteed palmitos, filet mignon in a red wine sauce, warmed dolmades with an egg lemon sauce, farofa with fried banana, lamb stew, roasted carrots, wild rice with pine nuts and apricots. It was the kind of food that makes you hungrier as you eat because it is so good. I went back for seconds. Then thirds. Okay and then maybe I just went back for a few more dolmades... and lamb stew. Dessert was a combination of coconut flan (never tasted anything like it, mom please learn how to make this for my birthday), warmed figs, chocolate and pecan gelato, and the most magnificent plate of fresh fruit you have ever seen. It really was something of of Ancient Roman times. 

Just as I am finishing my coconut flan and sliced persimmons, a friend of the prince who I had met earlier that evening asks if I would like to join them on their night out on the town. 

        "Oh, I really appreciate the invite, but I actually have to work tomorrow super early."

         "So, you're joining us then?" Confused, I realize how ridiculous I am being. Duh I'm joining them. When else in my life time will I have the opportunity to go out clubbing with a Prince? 

         "Yes, I will be."And ten minutes later I was whisked away in the Prince's bullet proof SUV followed by a SWAT van. Not exactly the white Stallions we think of as prince's transportation but hey. 

Arriving at the club, we had to enter through a special side door that the body guards arranged before hand. This is when I started to feel like Beyonce. We then were led to a special VIP table where endless cocktails awaited us. Okay, this is sweet. To top the night off, who else did we see at the club? Oh no big deal just Paul Walker. You know the extremely good looking blond guy from the Fast and Furious movies? I just about fainted. He is actually more beautiful in person than in the movies if that is even possible. But I digress, back to the Prince!

The whole evening was a blast. I arrived knowing no one and left on a complete high from all the magnificent people I got to meet. I also felt much more connected to the FAAP community which is important for me coming from Concord and SLU, where community has always been a huge part of my life. 

Okay I am tired of writing. Here are some pics because I know that most of you just scrolled down to the bottom without reading ;) 

 Some of the numerous dishes I indulged in: salad, meat quiche, dalmades, farofa with fried banana and lamb stew.

 Grilled palmitos, filet mignon, Israeli couscous 

 The Prince and I. La deeee daaaaaaaaaa

My two new friends Amanda and Isabel and I with the President of the FAAP. Maybe one of the nicest men I have ever met, also very funny.  He enjoys a nice cigar after dinner.