January 30th Benguela Angola

I have not blogged as it has been a difficult first week in Angola but everything has smoothed out. It is now Sunday January 30th.

My Delta flights were as per usual – San Diego to Atlanta; a quick sprint to the next gate; Atlanta to Johannesburg South Africa. The “ghost” was in the center seat on the 15 hour flight which was great. A very quiet Indian lady and I shared a row so both of us slept. I over nighted in City Lodge at Joburg Airport; just a walk across the terminal. Delightful. My South African Airways flight from Joburg to Luanda was also not crowded. So my travel was without incident!

The hotel in Luanda was new to me. In the past I had stayed in Soleme Guest House – owned by 5 generations of Angolan Portuguese. The new hotel reminded me of Soviet style lodging in Poland and Slovakia -6 floors with a non functioning elevator, long corridors, and minimal furnishings in large room. There was internet and a TV with 2 English channels – CNN and nonstop movies. As my stay in Luanda is brief, I do not unpack. Off I went to buy water and dinner – a grilled chicken from a local restaurant. I had eaten there several times before.

The chicken tasted wonderful! However it was BAD chicken and my evening was spent in the bathroom – projectile vomiting/diarrhea for 10+ hours. There was no one in the hotel who spoke English (Soleme House is multilingual). The power of the internet saved the day!! I emailed my brother Jim and wife Kaye who are both MDs. Fortunately I always carry a small pharmacy!

I was physically unable to travel the next day so remained in the hotel room in Luanda. To be sick in a strange place with language constraints is difficult. Remember BRATT – banana, rice, applesauce, tea and toast. By the afternoon I walked to a supermarket and bought bananas, apple juice and 7 Up. No Gatorade. (If anyone knows a source for Gatorade strips, please let me know.) The second Luanda night I slept with no repeat of the previous evening.

I flew to Benguela and was met by the driver from CLUSA (Cooperative League of the United States of America). The Benguela projects are an alliance between CLUSA and CNFA (Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs). I have worked with CNFA on multiple occasions in Eastern Europe and Africa. My last trip in November to Benguela was excellent collaboration of the two NGOs.

We went to the CLUSA office where I met another CNFA volunteer, Dave Wagner. An extremely interesting individual! More about him later. He was just finishing a two week assignment and had lived in the CLUSA Guest House (where I was supposed to stay.) 4 bedrooms with one bathroom and no hot water. 2 guys living there permanently. Unacceptable. So I went back to Nancy’s Guest House (my previous lodging). Nancy Gottlieb and I became friends during the last trip and I was re installed in my old room. Hot water, private bath, and a warm mellow place.

It is now Sunday. Dave has left for the Luanda and then Arizona. I am working in my room. Tonight is a Karaoke event at Nancy’s which should be fun! In addition to the Guest House facilities, she runs an English language school – primarily for adults. Monday begins work with two new Cooperatives helping them understand how to run as a business – present themselves to bankers – and create wealth for their families and country. All’s well which ends well.