The house was built like an enormous frying pan.

Hot on one side, cool on the other and with a huge door handle the size of a senior elephant’s trunk.

On being invited inside my coat was taken by a tall, lean man who handed it to a tall, lean woman who handed it to an attendant wearing red and green silk layered garments.

The sun shone through enormous spherical-paned windows, the cool came from monumental decorative ceiling fans.

Next, we hoped to meet someone, somewhere inside.