Pack of Cards

By Madame Sosostris

I have wonderful news for you, my dears. Our charming and lovely presidential correspondent, Nevine Khalil, has just gotten married to David Dumke, who is principal of the Washington- based MidAmr Group, which works on improving US-Arab relations. The fabulous couple celebrated their marriage on 1 January at Manial Palace's Golden Hall, resplendent with its gold-gilded walls, velvet settees and historic chandeliers.

The festivities began with tannoura dancers heading the zaffa procession through the palace's magical gardens. This was followed by the exchange of vows, blessings and toasts performed by David's brother Mick and best men Jeff Johnson and Steve Soorus. Many of Nevine and David's family and friends flew into Cairo especially for the event. Throughout the celebrations, Nevine's mother Sawsan Ali of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sister, rising actress Caroleen, radiated with happiness. David's father and mother, Mike and Donna, partook in nearly all the dancing, as did Kathryn, Tami, Jill and Mary, who had also enjoyed their first henna painting experience a few days earlier.

Along with our beloved Managing Editor Hani Shukrallah, Layout Editor Samir Sobhi and everyone else at the paper, I danced the night away to the wonderfully eclectic selection of songs that Nevine and David had asked their DJ, Yasser Shaker, to play. Al- Ahram's US correspondent Khaled Dawoud was also in town for the wedding, and from Belgium came Peter Snowdon and his lovely friend Helen. Energised from the word go, everyone from Al-Ahram Weekly needed little encouragement to dance until they dropped.

The food, I must say, was also scrumptious -- a seated dinner to the tunes of live music by a superb oriental takht. We all wish Nevine and David a joyful life -- this delightful couple's mix of politics and media will no doubt mean there will never be a dull moment at the dinner table.