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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Family Visit
I tried to post this the other day and lost it before I could "publish" it; hope it works now. Some may be
a slight repeat of the last post since I cover my family's visit from the time we arrived in Kinshasa on Friday, August 7,
2009.
We (well I, Bill had lots of follow up work to the Secretary's visit) had
a great time with Sally's family ("the family"). The kids (Jesse is 25, Cassie is 21 and Mattie is 12 - not really kids
but there's not really a better term to use here) are great. They thought the Residence was a resort. They ran
the loop that runs through Kinshasa's "Embassy Row," played tennis on the Residence court, played badminton in the Residence
yard, swam in the Residence pool, exercised on my elliptical, the girls gave each other massages on my new massage bed
as well as doing all the touristy stuff, such as it is in Kinshasa. We played: "Apples to Apples," "Oval Office,"
"Dice," and "Uno" every night at least for an hour or two.
The first few days were very tranquil because of the lack
of Embassy cars due to the Secretary's advance team. On Friday Aug 7, Jessen & Ross went with Bill to the office
for a while; that evening we went to the Oasis Club - British Club right next door, for the BBQ. It was our
first time there and I'm sorry we hadn't been going there earlier in our tour. It's great; good food & very relaxing atmosphere.
On Saturday Aug 8, we had the big Embassy BBQ at the Residence (about 70 people attended). On Sunday Aug 9,
Bill dropped us off at church as he went into the office (about 11 am). He picked us up after church (about 12:45) and we
went to the Mandarin Chinese restaurant at the top of the Social Security Bldg. All enjoyed the meal...but Sally and family
were surprised at the cost (over $200 for the 7 of us). They could see the view & take photos of the city from up
there. Photos are a special treat since cameras are not allowed on Kinshasa streets -- without special permits.
Monday,
Aug 10 - the Visit day. In the a.m. I took Ross, Sally, Mattie & Cassie to World Vision for their pre-brief on the
trip to see their sponsored child. After that the "kids" played more tennis & badminton for a while but mainly we
waited for the Sec's arrival at 3:55 p.m. After the Meet & Greet & her TV interview, she posed for photos with
Sally's family & other Embassy folk. She is very "folksy" and very, very gracious. I really like her, even more
than before! It was truely and honor to meet her. The family also got photos with Dikembe Mutombo; he made a special
trip to escourt the Secretary to his hospital. He left the next day but will be back again at the end of August for
more work related to the hospital, etc.
Tuesday, Aug 11 - Bill went to Goma with the Secretary. Sally, Cassie
& Mattie went to Moluku (about 25 miles north of the Kinshasa airport, a port city) with World Vision and
had a wonderful visit with their sponsored girl (6 yrs) and her family. They ate Liboke (fish in banana leaves) & Shakwanga
(cassava/manioc paste/bread). In the meantime, Ross came with me to the informal International Women's Club
(we have male members too) coffee at Manuela's house. Later Ross, Jess & I visited JAO and had lunch at the
African Queen (Ross discouraged Sally from insisting that we eat there again later in the week - it's good but not "special"
as far as a "Conogolese experience"). At 5:30 we went to the "Wheels up Party" at the Marine House. Unfortunately,
most Embassy people were still at the airport waiting for wheels up. The Marines started early so people wouldn't have to
go home after work. We got home by 7 p.m.; Sally, Mattie & Cassie had arrived home at about 5:45 p.m. Bill
arrived from the airport at about 8 p.m. -- He and Jess went back to the Marine house for the "real" Wheels Up party.
Wednesday,
Aug 12 - we did some shopping: Symphonie des Arts and Academe des Beaux-Arts. We met Bill for lunch at Cafe Mozart (run
by nuns who employ rehabilitating prostitutes). After lunch Bill went back to work and we went to the residence.
In the late afternoon, Bill had a meeting with Canadian Ambassador & mining investors at our house. The family,
Sydney & I sat by pool (kids, Sydney & Ross swam). Nah make filet with mushroom sauce for dinner. Mattie did all the
dishes every night we ate at home (staff left at normal time).
Thursday, Aug 13: In morning we went to EEV Eden
Orphanage & delivered new pots, bought by the IWC's helping hands fund. We also gave her a 25 kg bag of
rice (which I bought). We had lunch at Chantilly and then went to Stand Proud (handicapped rehabilitation, see www.StandProud.org). Nah had made Banana cake (210 pieces) and Sally had candy to share with
the patients. We also brought them all the school supplies I had bought & some that Mattie's 5th grade class (she
now going into 7th grade) sent at the end of the school year 2008. In another late afternoon meeting, Bill met with
author of Congo Wars & Amb Howard Wolpe (former Michigan Congressman from Kalamazoo - in Western MI). Thursday
night's dinner was roast chicken.
Friday, August 14: Took everyone to JAO & Chancery (Ross & Jess had
been there with Bill last Friday, this was Sally & daughters first visit). Then we walked to Hassan & Ferres
grocery store (just across street from Embassy) -- just to show them what our "supermarkets" are like. Jess bought some
Amarula (So. African Fruit creme - like Kaluha) for his roommate & I bought some too because we had run out (&
not long ago someone asked for it during one of Bill's afternoon private meetings at home). Then we went to the Handicapped
store (another rehabilitation center that sales crafts made by the beneficiaries) & the family bought LOTS
of things. I got another table cloth (just what I need!! but I can't resist!) & some place mats. Home for
lunch & that was the end our use of the Embassy driver. By the way, I have to pay for $1.51 per mile for use of
car & driver but it was worth it and it was a Van for all of us. Lunch was sandwiches at home, which the family
said was every bit as good as the $100+ sandwich lunch we had the day before. Bill met with representatives
of a U.S. mining interests - another late afternoon meeting at the Residence (you can see these are quite typical).
The rest of us were by the pool! Friday evening, we again went to the Oasis Club for BBQ - you see the nicest variety
of ex-pats there. Then Jess, Bill & I went (briefly) to a farewell for Michael Obryon, a political officer.
He's now been assigned to Afghanistan and is off to 10 months of language training at FSI. He's well on the way.
Turned out to be an excellent officer; I bet he makes Ambassador in 15 yrs or less and he'll deserve it!
Saturday,
August 15: First Michael came by to bid us a personal farewell (his exit interview with Bill). He had been at FSI
with us for French language training before coming to Congo. He was a wonderful friend to me, very supportive
throughout the FSI training - he got a 4 (out of 5) in French; I got a 2! He left Congo on Saturday evening. At
11 a.m. Bill had a P3+2 (Security Council reps) Ambassadors Meeting at the Residence to discuss the Sec's visit.
Later in the afternoon, Bill met with General Higgins of Africom (he's in charge overall of training group that's here
working with the Congolese military). The family did their resort thing....running the loop, tennis, badminton,
swimming, reading, etc. It was a relaxing day. In the evening we went to Taj Indian Restaurant at top 8th or 9th floorof
BIAC Bldg in Kinshasa. It requires a spooky ride up in a small elevator - 3 at a time, and then stairs up
to the top floor. But the view is fantastic - a "required" Kinshasa event. Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, across
the Congo River from Kinshasa, was celebrating the inauguration of the new (old) president (he was re-elected).
There were fireworks that we could see from our roof terrace seats.
Sunday, August 16: 9:30 a.m. to the Bonobos. It was great. We
saw a Bonobo at the very top of a tree, swinging "happily." I'd never seen that before. Sally & family did
the whole tour. They had one Bonobo follow them for the length of one enclosure. He/she & Mattie imitated
each other. I saw the photos - it was delightful. We were going to go to Lac de Ma Valee, which neither Bill nor I had
ever been too. There's a restaurant similar to Chutes de Lukaya (Bonobos) and a nice 1 hr walk around a nice small lake.
But since I noticed the sign that said the Bonobos are fed at 2 p.m. & 4 p.m., we decided to have lunch at Chutes &
the family would return to the Bonobo area to see the feeding. Good decision, Mattie got to give one of the Bonobos
a banana! Great day. When we drove home we stopped at the new ice cream shop "N'ice Cream," which has at least
20 flavors. Yummy!! and it's only 1/2 block from my new hairdresser Monsieur. Oh, Oh!! We had spaghetti &
meatballs & salad that Nah, our chef, had left for us for supper. We played a final round of Uno (Bill
was exhausted & went to pack & go to bed).
Monday, August 17: hurry, hurry. All were packed & ready. But when the
expeditor came for the luggage (he had to get Bill's any way and there's new rule - thanks in Part to Wanda's visit last year
- that expeditors help all Embassy family & other guests when already going to or at the airport -- if not there for another
reason, then the cost is $50 - it's fair!), we found out that the family would have to appear in person (rules are much
more strict, there's new airport management & even buses to take passengers to board the plane, still no jetways) for
customs, immigration & check in. So we had to switch pick up time to 9:30 from 10:30. Bill had gone to office
to finish up a few things. He rushed home, made 2 more calls and made arrangements to meet someone at airport.
As it turned out, the airport experience was quite harrowing for Ross & Jessen who had to wait in line to pay the exit
fee ($50/each now, diplomats too) and then to pass through the customs check. They evidently made it through with just 5 minutes
to spare before boarding - and the flight was late to leave. They also had trouble in Johannesburg; Jessen & Cassie
were bumped from the Delta flight to Atlanta. Ross called me just before the doors of the plane closed to tell me that
both Jess & Cassie made it on that flight. I haven't heard yet how the rest of their travels went - connections in Atlanta,
Jess to St. Louis and the rest to Denver.
The family gave a card & small gratutity to each
of the Residence staff -- it was an emotional departure from the Residence. Bruno & all fell in love with the family. Each
of the staff love guests, taking care of them & making them happy. For their excellent above
& beyond the call of duty service the past few weeks (Secretary's and Family's visits), each of the staff is
going to take 2 additional days off this week while Bill is gone (he has doc appt in Pretoria on Wednesday - the other days,
I hope he just rests. I expect the check up to go well.). And, I told them to all take off on Saturday 22 Aug when Bill
returns -- just as long as they leave us food for sandwich lunches and Sat & Sun dinners. Bill will relish the peace
and quiet of the weekend.
I do have a IWC Board meeting tomorrow but it's at Odile's house. Otherwise
my week should be restful too.
Next week is back to normal: Mutombo Hospital delegation buffet dinner
for 60+ on Wednesday Aug 26 and Business Round Table on Wednesday Sept 2 (yes, also our 39th wedding anniversary).
We leave here for R&R and Bill's Chief of Missions conference, etc.
on Thursday Sept 24 arriving in DC on Friday Sept 25 and with return to Kinshasa on Oct 21 (leaving IAD on Oct 20).
We plan to go to Michigan for the weekend on Oct 9.
It was a delightful and wonderful family visit. I wish more of you
would visit - it is an experience you'll never forget and, in some cases, even life altering!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Pretoria Visit
I met my sister & her family in Johannesburg on Monday, August 3. Both our flights were slightly delayed; as
they gathered their luggage & cleared immigration & customs, my plane landed - great timing. Since all were
hungry, we asked our car service to stopped at McDonald's on the way to our Guest House. Of course, this was a big treat
for me! No McD's in Kinshasa!
The Guest House was a 3-bedroom flat with a small kitchen and a nice living room. Perfect for our group.
Tuesday, August 4 was a quiet day - time adjustments. We walked to a Pancake restaurant and visited the American
Embassy. In the afternoon we went to Brooklyn Shopping Mall - I had to get a few things to take back to Congo.
Wednesday, August 5, we were up and on our way by 6 a.m. It was about 1 3/4 hour drive to Pilanesburg Game Park.
Our driver was helpful. We had a nice breakfast when we arrived at the Park and, of course, bought a few local
wares. Then we drove through the Park - first siting: Hippos! We also say Wildebeasts (also know as Blue Gnu --
there were lots), Impala, Wart Hogs (very endearing), lizzards, giraffes, a wide variety of birds and White Rhinos, with babies.
Surprisingly & unfortunately, we did not see any Elephant! But it was quite the day. On the way back to Pretoria,
we stopped at a local crafts market -- an experience, not necessarily pleasant; the vendors are determined to sell ("for my
family" etc).
Thursday, August 6, we toured Pretoria; visited the Union Buildings (President's & Administration offices) and the
Voortrekker Monument. It was amazing to learn that the Boers settlement of South Africa was very similar to the Westward/Frontier
movement in the U.S.
From Pretoria, we drove through heavy traffic to Johannesburg. We toured Soweto by car. The shanties and
shacks of Apartheid time are changing into very small government-supplied brick & adobe, etc. houses. We toured
the Children's Museum when commorates the 1976 Children's protest (and killings). The uprising was a
response to the Apartheid governments rule that school lessons would be taught in Afracaans. Very sobering
and an effective reminder of the struggle to end Apartheid.
We ate lunch at a Soweta cafe - buffet. My brother-in-law tried the Tripe, somthing I've never done in all my years
living overseas. There was also lamb stew, BBQ chicken, rice, corn meal mash, fresh salads, homemade "wild-oats"
bread, and homemade ice cream. We were entertained by a charming couple, who played both African music and U.S. country-rock.
After lunch we went to the Apartheid Museum. Another amazing tribute to the struggle for equality. At the
entrance, each of us was handed a card designating us as "white" or "non-white." Sally (sister), Mattie (12 yr old niece)
& I were white. Jess (nephew), Ross (brother-in-law) and Cassie (20 yr old niece) were designated as "non-white."
We had to use separate entrances. The Museum is set up as a prison. At one point, visitors step into a reproduction
of Mandela's cell. Very poignant, very educational. It's an era and a struggle we must never forget.
Friday, August 7, up very early - for 5:30 a.m. departure for Johannesburg Airport. The South African side was
uneventful.
We arrived in Kinshasa on time at 11:50 a.m. The Kinshasa Airport, within the past month, initiated a bus transfer
system between the plane & the terminal - before arrivals just walked along an outlined path from the plane to the
terminal. At the terminal we were met by the Embassy's expeditor. Sally, Mattie & I passed through the VIP
entrance - Ross, Jess & Cassie were stopped. The Airport Police said, "only 2 are approved to pass with the Ambassador's
wife." After a few hassles, the three were moved from the Ex-Pat line to the Diplomat line. Entry was then "easy."
The expeditor waited for the luggage (all luggage but mine was searched) and we headed out to meet up with Bill & his
waiting car.
The drive from the Kinshasa airport to our house is a lesson in Kinshasa life. We passed through some of the poorest
neighborhoods. There were, of course, crowds of people, dilapidated buses & other transport, and many, many people
balancing huge piles of wares, including eggs, on their heads.
At the end of Friday, I asked Jess (25 yrs old) what his impressions were. He said, he felt he had passed through 3 worlds
today. He marveled at the relative ease of security clearance at the Johannesburg airport. Then he saw some of
the poorest of the poor in the Kinshasa communities between the airport and our home. Then he entered the luxury of
the Ambassador's Residence & garden.
Friday evening we went to the weekly BBQ at the British Oasis Club -- good food, nice company.
Saturday was the big Embassy BBQ, hello to my family; good-bye to the DCM's daughter Charlotte and welcome to some
of the newcomers. There were about 50 - 60 people at the BBQ.
Sunday was Church service at the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa -- a very international group.
Visitors on Sunday were from Kenya, Britian, Germany and the U.S. Regular worshippers at this church are English-speaking ex-pats
from Africa, Europe, and Asia as well as English-speaking Congolese. Truely and international praise service.
We had lunch at the Mandarin Chinese Restaurant on the 7th floor of the Social Security building. Wonderful food
- all agreed - and great views of the City & River.
If the visit to Kinshasa seems rather uneventful up until now, you're right. That's because the Embassy & Residence
was preparing for THE VISIT - Secretary Clinton arrived on Monday, August 10. At 4 p.m. we hosted a Meet & Greet
for all Embassy employees & the families of the American employees. The employees were bused from the Embassy starting
at 2 p.m.; Secretary Clinton arrived at the Residence at 4 p.m. So the Residence staff served popcorn
to the patiently waiting employees. After the Meet & Greet, Secretary Clinton was interviewed by Okapi Radio (only
national radio station - run by U.N.). Then she graciously posed for photos, including a family photo with my sis's
family and one with all the "family." She was gracious, attractive, patient and kind. It was an honor &
a thrill.
Today is Tuesday August 11. Sally & the girls are off to visit the Congolese girl they sponsor through World Vision.
Her village is about 70 miles from here, on the Congo River, about 25 - 30 miles past the airport. The roads to Moluku,
I'm told, are pretty good all the way. I dropped them off at the World Vision offices at 7 a.m.; they should be back
around 2 p.m. Ross is going to attend the International Women's Club "coffee morning" with me this a.m. It just
a small get-together since many of our members are still on "summer" holiday. It will give Ross the opportunity to meet
the spouses of businessmen - and we do have male members!
More later....
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Exciting days ahead
We returned to Kinshasa on the 4th of July. The American Community Independence Day celebration was in full swing
when we arrived. The Marines executed a touching flag-raising ceremony, replacing the official flag on our pole.
Whenever Bill is out of the country, the flag is taken down at the Residence and raised over the DCM's (deputy chief
of mission) house and he becomes the "Charge'." After the flag raising ceremony, the Marines presented the colors to Bill
& me while all sang the National Anthem -- very touching. There were more than 250 Americans (who reside in Congo,
not just Embassy people) at the picnic. It was very nice.
Bill continues to do well and his health seems to be improving. He still tires fairly easily but even that is improving.
We're confident that his next doctor's check up will be very positive.
On July 23, 2009 we hosted a Concert by Melissa Givens, a gifted soprano who teaches voice in Texas. Melissa is
a friend of Rodney an Embassy officer. She was in town for a performance at the Halle de Gombe. She very kindly
donated her time & that of her accompanist (accordian) to perform for a group of more than 175 invitees from Kinshasa
music schools, choral groups and professional musicans. It was delightful. Melissa "brought the house down."
Now to the exciting days ahead. First of all, I leave tomorrow (Monday Aug 3) for South Africa. I am meeting my sister
& her family there: Sally & Ross, Jess (25 yrs), Cassie (20 yrs) & Mattie (12 yrs). We are going to spend
3 days touring the Pretoria area, including Pilansberg Game Park (on their first visit to Africa, they must see more
African animals than just the Bonobos near Kinshasa), Soweto, the Apartheid Museum and maybe a gold mine. On Friday
Aug 7 they will come to Kinshasa with me and stay for the next 10 days; we'll visit some orphanages & handicapped
centers & see the Bonobos, along with just spending time as family. Bill was going to come with me to Pretoria
and have another check up with the Pretoria doctors but he's really busy preparing for (the other super exciting news)...the
visit to Kinshasa of the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Secretary Clinton is coming here as part of her Africa tour, which she starts in Kenya with the AOGA (African Opportunity
& Growth) conference. Of course, her entire visit to Congo will be a wirlwind and security will be tight. But both I and
my sister's family will be able to meet her.
This is an important visit for U.S. - Congo Relations. She will meet with President Kabila and other dignitaries
as well as visit various U.S. project sites. Welcome! Secretary Clinton. It's an honor to have you visit!
I promise to update my blog again after both my family's and Secretary Clinton's visits.
Until then...
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