Escape from Paradise

MELA 4, DAY SEVEN: 13 MARCH 2013

Why are Bill, Massi and Samer so excited this morning?

(a) The printers have broken and all staff members have been excused from work today.

(b) They are looking forward to fish and rice again for lunch.

(c)  It has been decided to extend MELA 4 an extra week till March 24.

(d) The afternoon excursion means release from the Shangri-La office dungeon and a chance to see the sun for the first time in almost a fortnight.

Answer: (d). Escape from paradise!

Meanwhile the participants, divided into four teams, have hunkered down in the breakout rooms for "Red-Blue," a competitive multi-round negotiation exercise. Sanad offers his thoughts on the correct strategy to pursue.

Manal and Riyadh have other ideas.

Asha and Meade observe the team interactions to provide feedback later.

Guests Tom McCandlish and Said Al-Habsy join Susan on the sidelines.

Sultan, Ahmad and Zainab concoct a cunning stratagem. Heh heh heh.

Their teammates listen to the plan. Heh heh heh.

Adib and his group feel they have chosen the more sound and honorable course. They are outraged by their negotiating partners' final betrayal.

Winner of the MELA 2013 Prix Muscat 
for Breaking News Photojournalism

Captured on camera for all time: 

Confronted by their victims, the team that broke the agreement hide their faces in shame.

Post-exercise debriefs and recriminations.

Life is good!

Andrea's address is on your "Success Formula" and its pitfalls. One cannot always rely on the same personal qualities to be successful in all situations. Leaders need to be malleable, and match their capacities to the needs of the moment.

The Muscat Reunion is ramping up for tomorrow, as MELA members begin to arrive.

A celebrity spotting. MELA 1 member Hitham Kayali is in the house!

Nancy McCandlish and Carolanne Roberts are in the house!

We board a traditional wooden dhow at the marina.

Luckily, we have already practiced for all contingencies during the "Lost at Sea" exercise. But has anybody remembered to bring the shark repellent?

Michael and Sandra with Ahmad.

Splashes of color on the Gulf of Oman.

Ritu and Nada: Birds of a feather...

Mater invites Ritu's mother to dance.

Thank you, Amy, for organizing these lovely hours at sea.

Thank you, Johnny and Carolanne, for making this special afternoon possible!

After sailing on the dhow, we visit Muttrah souk, and pass on to Kargeen restaurant for dinner in the fairy-lit garden.

Welcome to Sam Yaghi, Nabil Alyousuf, and Johnny Roberts.

Somebody made some purchases in  the bazaar today...

Brice with his better half Jill Bay.

Firas Abu Wishah from MELA 1 is in the house!

Another vivacious day of learning, discovery and sharing among friends and peers has sadly come to an end.