Kitchen Cabinets

We have much less counter space here than in the Pateros apartment, and no cabinets hung on the wall, so it has been very difficult for Jackie to put things away, and to cook.  She ordered a custom made cabinet base, and it was delivered tonight.  It is made of solid Mahogany, but it is not stained and just has a natural gloss varnish.  It isn't like any Mahogany you have seen.  The grain is lovely.  The craftsmanship is outstanding.  I believe Jackie paid 5500p for it.  Now as soon as we figure out how to route the gas hose to the stove, cooking should be much easier.  Jackie is having a bed made for herself and Joan out of the same kind of wood.  The gentleman who does the work was telling me that he worked for an Italian oil drilling company for 30 years.  He has worked all over the world, but mostly in Africa.  He did work on a project in pre-war Iraq, and was a representative at the ceremony where Saddam Hussein cut the ribbon on project completion.  He was telling me about having to learn to speak Arabic in order to work on one project.  He also invited me to come to his shop and have a drink with him.  So many people here are so interesting as well as kind and hospitable.