Saturday, May 15, 2010

We interrupt this report from Beijing to bring you an update from the Congo








































































































































































































































Let's start with last Tuesday when C fell on the tennis court and broke her left wrist. She is now wearing a caste from thumb to elbow, and must keep it in a sling so it is above her heart until next Tuesday when she returns for a check-up. C was helping the Community Center with decorations for the fund raiser for African women: "Congo, A Walk on the Wild Side." She was in charge of decorating the area behind the performance/dance platform and the entrance to the Miami Room which held the market selling articles made by the women. She also designed the water fountain in the pool...had to forego the dry ice blocks. The blocks have left the island until next Halloween.

I came in from Neili on Wednesday night, as soon as the grading and meetings were done. Thursday we went to the American Club to "bag" and tie all the plants were could find in burlap. We had to make another trip to the fabric market to pick up another 15 yards of burlap and 50 yards of mosquito netting. We were allowed into the pool area on Friday at 2 PM to finish up. Di, Malaina, and I developed the entrance as best we could under C's guidance. You will see both before and after pictures. And it turned out quite nicely!


All tables were poolside, and a buffet was served. Entertainment include African drummers, fire dancers, and a terrific fashion show. Our table of 11 won the prize for the most "spirited" table...read loudest and most enthusiastic, but we had friends who were modeling. Our prizes were pins designed by Yoko Ono that said "give peace a chance" in so many different languages even the expats couldn't read them. C was supposed to model, but they gave it to a substitute after she broke her wrist...not very nice, I must admit. It was a very nice event, and I will be curious to see how much money was actually raised.


Today was market day, basketball day, Thai dinner and Middle School Spring Musical night. Ch was in charge of the microphones/sound...quite a complicated job with all kinds of excel spread sheets involved. "A Night in the Museum" had great costumes and super singers and dancers....brought back the old days in my "first life." I enjoyed sitting in the audience much more than directing! It was fun to watch all the "kids" I have gotten to know this spring. Home to Neili tomorrow as I will be holding student meetings Sunday and Monday. And I will get back to Beijing!


PS another TM...at the Thai restaurant tonight they brought us the white wine list. There were four different kinds listed. As Di asked for each one, none was available until we got to the 4th one, so, of course, that was the one we ordered. We had 4 families at the table, and we decided to order another bottle of wine. This time NONE of the bottles were available! They were totally out! Jack went down to the basement to the Japanese grocery store, and brought back a bottle of wine. This is also the same restaurant where C's gourmet lunch gathered after the woman who was supposed to entertain became ill. No one else was in the restaurant, but it took the waitress 30 minutes to polish the glasses and open the wine. The food is absolutely fabulous...the wine, not so much!
















































































































































































































































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