Clinton catches forty winks

LUCKNOW: Even the high and mighty, for instance, not-very-long-ago-America's-first-citizen Bill Clinton also needs cat naps to get that suave, charming and spirited persona for the world, just right.
But perhaps it was the city's sultry weather that made former US president Bill Clinton drowsy on arriving here at 7.30 am, and he decided to extend that cat nap to the siesta hours ��� right till 2.30 pm.
The slightly anxious and slightly eager-to-have-a-look hotel staff in their well-starched apparel and spit and polished shoes kept clicking their heels on the sparkling floors while waiting for some sign of activity in the former US president���s suite but to no avail.
But, hotel Taj Residency did not want to leave anything to chance and seeing the painstakingly done white and silver decor here, one was tempted to ask whether this was Clinton���s favourite colour combination?
Seeing ones's reflection in the sparkling silver candelabras and other silver antiques on display at the tastefully done up lobby ��� what also crossed ones��� mind was had the hotel used all the silvo polish stocked in its pantry.
The hotel had also left 'no flowers unplucked' for it had arranged some in the former president's car, the lobby ��� and everything on which the eyes rested.
Though none was allowed inside Clinton's suite or rather the entire floor housing his entire entourage ��� a peek into the lobby smelling of fresh flowers was proof of what lay behind the closed doors in the presidential suite.
Even the crockery, which awaited the guest of honour spoke of class ��� from delicate porcelain to French crystal to the silver cutlery and even the delicately engraved napkin rings ��� all sparkled as the slanting sun rays peeped in through the windows.
The otherwise bustling-with-activity hotel had very limited guests on Wednesday and whatever few were being let in had to undergo thorough frisking.
But for once, none seemed to mind, for not everyday one got the opportunity of sharing a hotel with a former US president.
However, what did not compliment the eight-feet wide flower arrangement in the foyer was the posse of security personnel who seemed to be all over the place.
And yes, above the whispers and hushed tones in the foyer what wafted in were strains of soft, very soft classical music��� something akin to what the nawabs must have woken up to during Oudh's golden days.
Though none in the hotel was ready to part with any information, a little birdie told us that it was white roses, silver cutlery and Italian crockery for the debonair former Prez in his suite.
Even though all lips were sealed here we got to know that though a Christmas turkey seemed too far fetched, the city���s cordon bleau chefs had nonetheless readied a baked turkey for him.