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'Experiencing diversity is invaluable'

Off the cuff with Christina Slyper, founder and managing director of Zest restaurant

What is your best childhood memory?
Playing in the forests and running on the cliffs in the Swedish Archipelago during the summer months.

If you could move anywhere in the world for free, what place would that be?
A tropical island with a house big enough to hold all our family and friends!

The biggest learning point or experience in your life.
Suffering is a choice. It's hard to avoid pain in life - but suffering is always
a choice.

What is the one skill you'd love to learn - and why?
I wish I could play an instrument so that I could create music in our home. Being able to sing would be great too, but that's a tall order!

What advice would you give your younger self, if you could?
When things aren't working out, they always are - you just don't know it, so relax and enjoy the ride!

If you could go back to any era in time or witness any major event in history, which one would it be, and why?
1969 - I would love to have been the first woman to step foot on the moon! One small step for man, one giant leap for 'woman kind'!

Your greatest fear.
I have a fear of flying. I married a pilot, so at least I'm facing my fears!

If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day, who would it be and why?
I'm not sure I would want to trade. I love my life - although if I had to, I wouldn't mind being one of our cats!

Your favourite movie character of all time - and why.
Mowgli in The Jungle Book! I love how he gets to experience the jungle and that he gets to talk to all the animals.

If you were President of your country, what is the first thing you'd do?
Although this may not be fitting at this time, I would advise everyone to travel. See different countries, eat different foods, experience different cultures, talk and engage with people who live differently from you. Experiencing diversity is invaluable. I love that we get to experience that in Dubai!
- Staff reporter