In a message dated 5/2/00 6:23:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time, CBlackwill at aol.com writes: << I am not Middle Eastern, so I can't vouch for the authenticity, but the author paints a picture of a very civilized and comfortable society. Balthazar of Blackmoor >> Not very authentic. Middle Eastern food has changed as much as European food in the intervening years. Ras