Home from Angola - off to Las Vegas

Home safely on Easter after 30+ hours. My checked bag was mislabeled in Luanda but I caught the error while in Joburg. Fortunately, the helpful Delta staff was able to rescue it from the “basement” and board it on my plane. The Delta flight was absolutely filled. A big thank you to Ray Hines, one of the flight attendants, who assisted 3 passengers with recently broken legs. The headwinds were strong so the flight was 16+ hours. I hustled through immigration and baggage (mine was the 2nd one out!) and made my San Diego connection.

The other interesting adventure was on Friday, April 23rd. I had the day free in Luanda so booked a one-day safari. I was picked up at 6am by Eco-Tur. There were 6 paying guests plus tour operators. It was an interesting and long day – river trip to look for crocs; did not see any but did see the lizard which is an enemy. It was 6’ long and climbing a tree. In Kissama Park, the ranger explained the “re-animaling” by Operation Noah’s Ark. We saw giraffe, zebras, gnus, elans, and other small antelopes. Also lots of birds. There are no predators yet in the Park which was superb before the beginning of the Angolan Civil War. The animals were killed and eaten during that 35 year period.

Home until Wednesday – then Las Vegas with Mother. My cousin Wendy Ellison is marrying David Stryker. Should be great.

April 17th

I imagine that many of you are completing your 1040’s and getting ready to mail them on Monday. Mine (Federal and CA) were sent before I left – and no surprise, my checks have been cashed! I just wish that Congress would act more responsibly and in a mature manner. One of my Facebook friends, Margy Penniman, commented that they should all learn to “play in the same sandbox.” What a great concept!

I have been in Benguela for almost 10 days – but a day later than expected. I was scheduled to connect directly from my South African Airways flight to a domestic flight from Luanda to Benguela. However the SAA flight was delayed one hour in JoBurg. I begged the SonAir staff to let me on the domestic flight which had not left but to no avail. So, an overnight in Luanda. New hotel called the Forum. Very expensive but near the airport. The next day I successfully completed the last leg of my in-bound journey and arrived in Benguela to hot and humid.

I am again staying at Nancy’s Guest House and English School. As I have mentioned before, Nancy Gottlieb is a east coast woman who never left Africa after employment with an NGO. It is a very casual place and lots of activity as children, teenagers, and adults come and go from the classes. I have an added bonus this trip as another CNFA volunteer – Loren Parks – is also here. He is an Ag Economist from Chico CA! We are working with two separate clients – his is a small number of members with big acreage and mine is a larger number of members with small acreage.

Primeiro de Maio is my client. I met some of them during the training I conducted the last trip. This assignment is to modify a comprehensive business plan (developed by Mike Harwood a former CLUSA contractor) to increase the amount of hectares growing bananas, purchase a tractor and implements, and construct a multi-use building. On Monday the 11th we drove to visit the Coop – it is again 150 km so about 1.5 hours. We left the paved road and 4-wheel drove down a path (not a dirt road but a path). As there had been rain recently, it was an adventure.

Arrived at the meeting place – a large boulder under a tree and met 15+ members of the Coop. I began asking questions about the “wish list” of a tractor and building as well as sources of repayment for the bank loan. And then the rains came………drenched. Our driver said we must go as the truck would be too dangerous as the path became more slippery.

During the week, I have worked on the spreadsheets and narrative. As most of you know, I am much more of an action person so this has been tedious at times for me. We made another trip to the Cooperative to gain more information but met the Secretary at the large open market rather than under the tree!

Loren and I have shared several dinners with Nancy. I continue to eat a Protein bar every day and usually have my Cup of Soup. I was able to find several new Cup of Soup flavors in Doha (Woodland Mushroom and Tomato) so I have some variety. This trip as before I brought Triscuit crackers and my decaf coffee so I am in “hog heaven.” By the way, there is a great restaurant for pork in Benguela!

Have now worked a solid 6 day week so planning to take Sunday afternoon off. Even volunteers need a rest.

Thinking of all of you who are still doing your taxes!