Picnic in the Park

A couple of Sunday's ago Quince and I went to Zoo Lake for Afsaneh's birthday picnic. Picnics at the park are huge here.

We were surrounded by groups of picnickers with blankets spread out and portable braais(grills). More than once a soccer ball flew into our gathering from families playing nearby. There were all kinds of roaming vendors hawking their wares: toys, hanging decorations, balls.

Anyone want to buy a kite?

 But the best were the young men carrying their massage tables offering 10 minute massages. At least 6 people from our group took advantage.

20 minutes massage--$10

Afsaneh and family had arrived early and claimed one of the patio-like areas covered by an overhead trellis, which she covered with sheets to supplement the shade provided by the vines. They set up tables with beautiful linens for the fantastic food everyone brought - sushi, platters of Mediterranean fare, cheeses on par with what Matt McGuire has treated us to, baskets of chewy bread, and my award winning guacamole and acclaimed black-eyed pea coleslaw. And plenty of wine and juice (juice is a favored drink here - it is common to bring a couple of boxes (tetrapak type) of juice when you go to someone's house for dinner).

Being of Persian origin, Afsaneh laid out 5 beautiful carpets for the guests to lounge and picnic on. The boys played a rousing soccer match against the men. The men were in their 40's and up, and in jeans and nice shoes not prepared for soccer. But much to the boys' shame, the men won 1-0.

The weather was perfect - sunny and in the high 70's - like most days here. The conversation was good - many of the women I had met on my Sunday morning walks with Tanya and Afsaneh. And the food, as described above, was scrumdillyumptios. I'm not really a picnic loving person, but this was just a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.