I am in the process of reviewing construction documents for the Benghazi 5 star hotel. To my surprise I discover that the architect/interior design firm is from Tunisia. They speak French and Arabic. Mixed among my drawings are notes and room labels in French. I thought is was bad enough having to remember metric from my Abu Dhabi project but now French too.
Speaking of metric. The Abu Dhabi standard was to draw everything in mm. Some of the dimensions got pretty large when you have a floor to floor height of 3400. That is fine. Here in Benghazi everything is measured on the drawings in centimeters. So I have to keep getting my iPhone app out and doing a quick calculation. Thank goodness for the iPhone.
It is a small world when you think about it......either that or the US of A has the best schools as we probably all know. The lead MEP designer went to school in the US and his in-laws live on the East side of Indianapolis. The owner's rep for the project went to architecture school at Texas A&M, so it is pretty easy to communicate with those two guys.
Now back at the hotel.........did America invent the wash cloth?
I know when I went to England I had to ask for a flannel at the hotel and they gave me a wash cloth. Well in Libya, they do not have the slightest idea what I am talking about for a wash cloth. So I have been using a hand towel instead. Gets the job done, but is rather cumbersome in the shower.
Stay tuned for more Northern Africa info..............
Sounds like they are keeping you busy! Craig was so glad to talk to you yesterday. Sorry to hear you are having a little stomach trouble, but it's probably bound to happen until you get used to the water. It is like fall here today...cool and sunny. We have the Getty concert tonight at church, so i'm going to catch a quick nap! Love you! Linda
ReplyDeleteFrench, I recall the iPhone has a translator program. It would be fantasitic if you could take a picture and the app could speak back in english. That is probably a bit much for the phone. Keep us in the loop with your posts on all your unique observations on Northern Africa's culture.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best.
-robert