Well! What can I say? We got dressed up and arrived at the university for a Gala dinner to celebrate the inauguration of the Texas Institute of Advanced Study and to welcome the first 6 distinguished scholars. We crossed the red carpet and into a reception committee who whisked Peter away for an interview to camera, then a short rehearsal of the proceedings, He emerged with a beautiful lilly button hole and we were then ushered to a formal photograph of the pair of us! After drinks and conversation the group of distinguished scholars and their bemused significant others where marshalled into line in alphabetical order and we were then announced in our pairs and processed into the hall beneath the Governor of Texas's own honour guard with raised sabres! Much applause!
The people on our table, indeed all the people we met, were very friendly and welcoming. It's the Texan way, I guess!
At the end of the meal the distinguished schools went to the stage where they were introduced, photographed again with university dignitaries, signed a book and were presented with a bronze replica of Rodin's The Thinker on a granite base. Fortunately, the university is going to send it to UK for us, it would constitute significant excess baggage!
It was a very formal affair and the presence of so many young people in their officer training corp uniforms who acted as waiters added some military stiffness to the occasion, but there was also much humour and laughter! An interesting mix!
For a picture of our entry to the ball room click here!
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