I left on Saturday very early for Frankfurt and then San Francisco/San Diego.
Lisbon is a delightful city. The weather has been San Diego perfect for my 2+ days here so I have seen the city and walked for miles.
The old sections – Alfama, Bairro Alto and Belem are winding streets which change names in mid block. It is a hilly city (like San Francisco) and the waterfront is on the River Tejo. There are churches, museums and great benches to watch people.
My hotel is at the intersection of the old towns and the new town. A 20 minute walk and I was at the water – that was the easy part. The Castle Sao Jorge is high on the bluff – fortunately I was able to ride up on a public bus. Walking down, the Cathedral Se is a blend of architectural styles – do spend 1 Euro to see the cloister and the chapels behind the sanctuary. There is a Nativity scene carved from cork. (Another cork scene is at the Basilica da Estrela). The most lavish of the cathedrals that I visited was Sao Roque with a Treasury that sparkled with gold and jewels transported from Brazil during colonial days.
Some interesting museums: Marionette with puppets from around the world. Coaches with examples from the last 500 years. Port – not my favorite wine but I did taste. In Belem, there is a famous pastry that is like a miniature crème Brule. The Monastery dos Jeronoimos is incredible.
I had a great small hotel for two nights – Florida. Open since 1941 with about 40 rooms; each one is named for a movie star and has photos inside. The elevators are Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn – life size. A great breakfast and all of the staff is excellent. A block away was a good internet café and a casual restaurant that had homemade soup! Did I mention that I also found a used book store?
Happy to be home. I am looking forward to changing my clothes as I have lived in my Chico’s grey pantsuit for 2+ weeks. My luggage never arrived in Angola!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Best of Times - The Worst of Times
It is now Monday, March 8th. As in Eastern Europe, International Women’s Day is celebrated with office closings. Lufthansa in Luanda……..closed. Still no luggage or information as to where it is. I am less concerned with my things and more concerned with the telephone and computer printer cartridges I was transporting for the Huambo CNFA office. Of course, I had packed gifts for the two Cooperatives and the CNFA staff.
My second Cooperative was 1 hour outside of Huambo. Coopechuna was created and has been mentored by a Portuguese NGO. Very interesting differences from Chipipa. Coopechuna has a plant nursery and sells citrus cuttings all over Angola. It has also provided bee hives to its members and makes honey twice a year. I stayed in a nearby town – Acaala – in a guest house. Electricity sometimes and no running water. The mattress was good though!
Back to Huambo on Saturday and am now preparing to leave for Luanda tomorrow (if the plane flies). Otherwise, I made contact with an Angola computer specialist (graduated from University of Houston) and he is driving. Not the best of circumstances, but I must get to Luanda tomorrow. My flight to Lisbon is Wednesday am.
The CNFA staff in Huambo have been great…….but this has been a tremendously difficult trip. I will be very thankful to see San Diego.
My second Cooperative was 1 hour outside of Huambo. Coopechuna was created and has been mentored by a Portuguese NGO. Very interesting differences from Chipipa. Coopechuna has a plant nursery and sells citrus cuttings all over Angola. It has also provided bee hives to its members and makes honey twice a year. I stayed in a nearby town – Acaala – in a guest house. Electricity sometimes and no running water. The mattress was good though!
Back to Huambo on Saturday and am now preparing to leave for Luanda tomorrow (if the plane flies). Otherwise, I made contact with an Angola computer specialist (graduated from University of Houston) and he is driving. Not the best of circumstances, but I must get to Luanda tomorrow. My flight to Lisbon is Wednesday am.
The CNFA staff in Huambo have been great…….but this has been a tremendously difficult trip. I will be very thankful to see San Diego.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Happy Birthday Rob!!
Today is March 2nd and my son Rob turns 31! I have always believed that his creation was the best thing I could contribute to the world. I tried to reach him on Skype at the CNFA office but only was able to sing to his voice mail box.
Angola – just the word conjures up images of fighting, destruction and lawlessness. This has not been my experience. I am in Huambo which is south of Luanda. It is a beautiful small city with large plazas and fountains. I am staying in Nova Estella Hotel. The décor is early Las Vegas with chandeliers, statues and fountains everywhere. My room had several areas needed correction (no working light bulbs) but it is now comfortable. The assistant manager has been extremely gracious including converting one of the hotel’s TV channels to CNN. I was saddened by all of the pictures of earthquake in Chile.
The interim CNFA Country Director is Nelson Jacob. He is a delightful man who is running the program until a permanent local replacement can be hired. His staff includes Victoria (office manager) and 2 program directors. I am working with Luciano who also serves as my translator. He is excellent!
The cooperative that I have worked with since arriving is only 2+ years old. However, it was granted a very large bank loan which purchased fertilizer, tractors, trucks, grinding machines and equipment for a sawmill. The loan had a 1 year grace period. My work with them has been training in accounting and financial management. I only had 3 ½ days as I leave on Thursday am for another city and another cooperative. It is my understanding that I will encounter the same issues: underdeveloped project planning and financial management skills. This is not disrespectful to the farmers – just not the competencies that have made them successful in the past.
Internet is very very spotty here. To answer the question, no my luggage has not shown up. I am wearing the same clothes which are hand washed every night. The experience teaches me again how little is necessary.
Angola – just the word conjures up images of fighting, destruction and lawlessness. This has not been my experience. I am in Huambo which is south of Luanda. It is a beautiful small city with large plazas and fountains. I am staying in Nova Estella Hotel. The décor is early Las Vegas with chandeliers, statues and fountains everywhere. My room had several areas needed correction (no working light bulbs) but it is now comfortable. The assistant manager has been extremely gracious including converting one of the hotel’s TV channels to CNN. I was saddened by all of the pictures of earthquake in Chile.
The interim CNFA Country Director is Nelson Jacob. He is a delightful man who is running the program until a permanent local replacement can be hired. His staff includes Victoria (office manager) and 2 program directors. I am working with Luciano who also serves as my translator. He is excellent!
The cooperative that I have worked with since arriving is only 2+ years old. However, it was granted a very large bank loan which purchased fertilizer, tractors, trucks, grinding machines and equipment for a sawmill. The loan had a 1 year grace period. My work with them has been training in accounting and financial management. I only had 3 ½ days as I leave on Thursday am for another city and another cooperative. It is my understanding that I will encounter the same issues: underdeveloped project planning and financial management skills. This is not disrespectful to the farmers – just not the competencies that have made them successful in the past.
Internet is very very spotty here. To answer the question, no my luggage has not shown up. I am wearing the same clothes which are hand washed every night. The experience teaches me again how little is necessary.
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