29. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness- Or So I've Been Told!

Hope all of you have had a great week. Another group of Mennonites is to arrive today. There are 11 of them. After the French leave Friday, a group of 14 arrives – I think Baptist -since the alphabet name of their group has a B in it. We stay completely full until August 12^th. Have a sort of easy week and then starting the 19^th we are full again until the end of September. Then when Cindy and Clay are due back in October there are almost no guests scheduled until near the middle to the end except these two crazy Texas folks named Murray on their way home to the States after being Substitutes at MPH! ;))  (Well, at least the lady is crazy.The guy is a saint!) But don’t worry, Cindy, I will beat the church bushes and try to find a house full to welcome you home! NOT!!  Also, Cindy, I hear that you love the plastic and colorful funeral wreath deals folks use here. So I am trying to get two to put on the gates of MPH to welcome you home!! ;((

“Someone’s in the kitchen with Inge!” She has had all the cooks getting all out of the freezers, defrosting, and going through and counting and labeling all meat and vegetables.  All is not there and she is discovering that. So now there will be a master list of all supplies and foods. Every Tuesday she will stay here at MPH and verify that after the week’s guests and meals there are the expected supplies still left. Sad, but it has to be done or a great deal “walks” out of the back door. It also needs to be done with the supply closet too. Up in the Kasai there was a saying when we were here long ago-translated it is “To ask is not to steal.” So if they ask- no matter the answer- and go on and take it, they don’t consider that stealing. It’s Congo. Cultures are so different! But even the different geographical areas of the US do things so differently! So I guess I also need to say-“It’s the USA!”

Had the cooks clean the kitchen again yesterday. I went in and asked them to turn off the ceiling fan. They looked at me and knew where I was headed!! It was black as pitch with grease and dust bunnies. (I know rabbits multiply but this was obscene!!) I told them to clean it! “But, Mama, when the fan is running it doesn’t look dirty!” Oh, dear! There is the truth. It is Congo! ;)) So they are beginning to see that I walk around and see dirt. So slowly but surely they are beginning to see it too!!  And try to clean it before I tell them. Yea!! One of the “substitute” cooks- we have hired while the French have been here -is really sharp!! He is a great cook- great flavors and a delightful sense of humor!  Thank goodness the cooking and food parts of the kitchen are Inge’s area!

Vegetable gardener came in with green beans, lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes this morning. The tomatoes are so small here. Weird but they don’t do well here. Definitely no big ones like we get in the States at the Farmer’s Markets!! Garden lettuce is so good! Just need blackberries and then we could have cobblers!! (Send seeds, Bernard! Never mind- there is no mail service in the country!!) No mangoes yet or I’d make a mango cobbler. I will have to admit I am beginning to miss cooking!  Hard to believe we have been here two months as of today! Wow – time flies when you are having fun!!

Another day dawns and again I could not sleep. So I got up and began to do the rest of the towels and sheets still waiting to be washed. It took us 2 ½ days to get it all done- just sheets and towels! I knew more client laundry would come and I at least want the sheets and towels done and in the cupboard. When I went back in at 5ish to put the first load in the dryer and start another load, I scared the cook to death! He was in the dark hall way changing clothes for the day! All I saw were the shocked and panicked whites of his eyes! “Mama, I am here!” :) Then as the workers began to arrive we had to tell them they would not have the National Holiday- Parent’s Day- off tomorrow! But then we sweetened it with they get double pay!! Tshimbu could not believe I had done all the laundry and all he had to do was fold it and put it up. “But, Mama, that is not your job!” “But, Tshimbu, we are a team! When it is a crazy time we have to work our best and get it all done and ready to go again!” He just smiled –“Thank you, Mama!”

Then we headed out for Groceries. I had almost $1,000 and came home with 200 francs- twenty cents. Inge took almost $2,000 and we came home with enough food to fill the pantry. We two worked for three hours getting all on the shelves in alphabetical French order and inventoried! So we are set until next Wednesday week. While we working one of the cooks had two items that he brought back in and replaced on the shelves. The vinegar was placed with the Tupperware plastic bins and the oil with the sugar. Were sort of near where things use to be kept before the pantry was alphabetized. I think reading really is an issue for this same cook or he flat out can’t see!

Inge took us to two stores today that we had never been to before. One was an Indian store where we got all sort of neat smelling spices. I see Curry something in our future at MPH.  Weird but also found the containers for syrup or dressings that we had looked for everywhere at this Indian spice store. Then we went to another place to look at items sold in bulk. As we get out of the car, Inge says,”Lenore, keep a tight hold of your purse in this store!” It is in the inner, inner city and folks and trash are everywhere. As we go in the police start blowing their whistles and stop one of those people squisher taxis. They order them all out and after getting bribes, they allow them to continue on their squished way. It’s Congo! Ken goes in with us too- to keep us safe. There is a guy with a huge sound system on the street outside the store ranting and raving about something. The store has music so loud you can’t hear yourself think- maybe to drown him out. All offered items are behind thick Plexi glass. So we three are there looking at the available stuff. I am thinking- “It is a blessed good thing Inge did not tell the chauffeur to bring us here alone. I’d have never gotten out of the car.” But then up walks a nice young Indian man – “May I help you?” So now I am a go! We place our orders- in English-for cases of things that Inge wants. As we wait for the receipt, they offer me- “Mama” a seat- must be the gray hair- while we wait and they also offered us cokes. Our car was full and running over.

As we drive up to our usual grocery stores we see the police and security guards smiling and motioning us into a prime parking spot.They recognize our car. “We knew you would be coming, Mama! It is Wednesday!!” They help me out of the car and open the doors for us. Then inside the girls that usually check us out see us too and tell us they will be ready to help check us out. I’ve asked them their names and have been teaching them English and they think it is a hoot!  They seem genuinely glad to see us. We now leave with an English- “See you next Wednesday, Mama!”

We next went to the ice cream parlor (with the quote about Chocolate on the wall) for lunch and French ice cream. We all really enjoyed the quiet, the clean and the ice cream! (The restrooms- one door, a male and a female stall and a community sink. Takes some getting used to going in and out and sharing with a guy! Especially a guy I don’t even know!!) Then off to get the meat at the butcher’s. Allene- the boss lady- now insists that they tell her when I arrive because she always wants to see me and give me a “Big Texas hug” and I give her the French traditional three kisses on the cheeks.( You should not have thought that!) She is anxiously awaiting my order for the Chicken Fried steaks! I am trying to figure out how to get her a taste of it when I fix it- so it will still be good. But I’m afraid the store is too far away from MPH.

Yesterday Ken was reading the Army Times and the story was on the Army’s warning of the dangers of the anti-malarial medicine mefloquine. Well, that is what we are taking once a week while we are out here and for two weeks after we get home. So I asked Clint about it. He writes back and tells me it can cause some psychiatric issues- but, hey, I was that way before I started the medicine. So how will I know! ;)

A nice young lady arrived last night from St. Louis. Ken visited with her this AM and found out that she grew up in the Houston area. She went to Clear Lake High School. She was in the same class as Cameron McCool- son of astronaut Willy McCool in the Challenger crash. And she had you, Madlyn as her 10^th grade World History teacher! Her name is Beth Schwaab She now teaches Public Health at St. Louis University. (Her older brother is Matt and he went to the Air Force Academy.) Showed her your Facebook picture and she remembered you! Small world after all! She is here checking out the possibility of placing students here for a semester. Talk about culture shock- leave St. Louis and go to be up in the bush area where Marcia is!! That’ll separate the goats from the sheep in a hurry!!! But that is what they want to see-can you deal working in a third world country?

Well, this is very wordy. So I will sign off for the night. Hope I can sleep this time. I don’t have any sheets and towels to do! Have a great day!

Love Ya! Me

"Joshua-ette Fought the Battle of Jericho.. and the Walls Came Tumblin' Down!"

“T” day!  Can’t believe how many of you want a “T” report today and not have to wait!

Well, where to start? The French began my day with stripping all the beds (Insert Lee’s long drawn out Southern word here!!) and balled the sheets all up with their wet towels and the bedspreads- in the rooms they had to leave and in the rooms where some were to stay and not have to move. So we then had 12 more beds and 36 towels to change and deal with than I thought. You do remember that I told you that MPH runs on ONE home size washer and dryer, right? So now we have a gazillion towels and sheets to get done and do not have that many for a complete hotel turn around without washing the sheets! So poor Tshimbu just smiled and kept telling me he would get it all done for me and for me not to worry that it was his job to do the sheets and towels and the rooms. So I pulled one of the guys from the back and had him help the slower guy- who is really the lawn guy, but helps inside during dry season. We four worked none stop from 8:30, break for lunch, and back at it until four. My grandmother told me that Southern girls do not sweat. We get”dewy”! (Well, Honey Chile’ I plum downright sweated!) At 3:30, 8 new guests arrived from South Africa, and they were a delight. They had no problem being greeted by a soaking wet lady with a Southern Accent. I offered a coke and water break until the last parts of their rooms were done! Also got to the cook in time to get them on the supper list! Yea!! So now my guys are finishing up the rest of the rooms for the French. And Tshimbu is still washing and drying sheets and towels in between room preps!

The French had also all come down with baskets of laundry to get done. I told them that because of all the room and tent changing that today was rooms only. (That was even before I saw what they had done in their rooms with the sheets etc.) They did that deep breath thing and clicked their teeth. Humm. You don’t EVER, EVER, EVER  do that to a teacher!! – Retired or not!! MPH has a two day “laundry policy”; but Tshimbu and I usually try to get it done as fast as possible for folks- so he most often gets it done in one day. I have a feeling that tomorrow the spin cycle on the washer will go really slow on clothes with an accent!  (Paybacks are ….! Don’t Mess With Texas!)

Tried to get an answer on the size of the tents and whether they wanted mattresses or not for them. Got no answer. So got my guys togo on and  get 13 mattresses out of the storage closet so they could air out. Also had the guys dust off the spiders and cobwebs and have them ready for use if they are needed. (What’s that Bible verse…”Heap piles of burning coals upon their heads?”... Or something like that or should I choose the one about the “She bears coming to eat them!”? So many choices and so little time! So tonight “a failure to plan on their part does not constitute an emergency on mine!”…. “So, hi, ho, hi, ho it’s off to bed I go…”  

I am waiting to see what happens with the tents and give you an update on that and then I will let you all know! ……..

Well…They did have pop up tents. They did use the mattresses- smashed into the tents. The picture shows three set up and ready to go. The rest were set up later. Don’t know the reaction of the other guests who are in the dorm area yet. Oh well, I just where! ;))

With the kids in the tents MPH was all out of clean towels. So today it is laundry day to get allof the sheets and towels all done. There are also 10 loads of guest’s laundry given to me at breakfast. Those will all be pushed to tomorrow. Oh well! I have got to get all towels and sheets done so I can run MPH. (Life is tough in the fast lane!) Friday we have to turn 9 rooms again for another huge crowd. And clean the Dorm baths really well (after 18 kids using them for 16 days) and the hall floors and put all the mattresses from rooms and the tents back in the closet. I don’t want to have to help do it this time too. So will try to get all clean so we are ready to hit it running!

So now you know the rest of the "T" story. Guess it really isn't a big deal unless you are living it! Have a great rest of the week. Those of you at the Texas beach have a great time!! Those of you in Hawaii dealing with Storm Flossie- hope all at your home and in town withstood it.

Love ya! Me.

ork

"Ramblin' Rose....Why You Ramble No One Knows..."

Forgot to tell you the "rest of the story" of the Pastor that came to see us while we were visiting at Ken’s old house here in Kinshasa. I learned it by reading the email! ;) This is a quote from Ken's email to his cousins.

“He was originally from the Kasai where we were from and arrived in Kinshasa in 1956- two years before Mom and Dad came down here from Kananga (Luluabourg) 1958. So I immediately went into theTshiluba language. He remembered me and pointed out my old bedroom. He started telling us stories. But he said he had to leave as he was going to be late to a Women Of The Church meeting. He added that when Mom and Dad when here they worked with 3 main churches in this city. Mom started the Women of the Church in these 3 congregations. He said these women are the Pillars of the Church that make them thriving today. He gave Mom credit for getting them started. I did not bother to explain to Lenore and the lady with us as I would have started crying like a baby. Mom was always planting “seeds” wherever she lived.” 

The guys from Mississippi were going stir crazy just sitting around since they could not get out on an earlier flight. So they asked me if there was something they could do around MPH. I pointed down the table to Inge.They got a new basketball backboard all done and holes drilled and ready to install. It just needs to be treated against termites and then put back up. Then they also cut plywood strips and put it against all of the hall windows to Apartment A and got some done by our apartment before they ran out of wood. Our bedroom windows are right by the ping pong table. Can you say pong, ping, pong until 11PM  with 18 French kids every night? Inge is hoping it will cushion some of the noise of arriving guests on the other end of the building by Apartment A. Got sturdy locks installed on the new metal cupboards and a wooden lock on another one of the wooden cupboards in the kitchen. So now we will see how the kitchen reorganization goes with all in place for the great “move.”

Had great pancakes this morning. The cooks were supervised and had to actually get out the measuring cups and spoons and measure and sift all the ingredients together instead of just dumping several ingredients into the bowl and hoping it works. The pancakes were so good and folks ate several helpings. Those French girls out eat the boys every time!!

Friday was Date Night. Ken asked me out. He arranged for the Chauffeur to come and get us and even has found a steak house- Cosy Grillhouse and Bar. It was as if we were in Europe or the US. Décor was so modern and pretty.  Guards at the door spoke Tshiluba and just beamed when we spoke to them.

Had a seven course meal-Soup do Jour –WONDERFUL Leek cream soup-Fillet for me, Rib eye for Ken and Onion Rings (not as good or as large as PK Café!), Creamed Spinach, French Rolls, Sorbet Citrus for me- TART!!- and Vanilla and Chocolate Mousse for Ken with Espresso café! All had warned us about the cost and it was no more than a trip to Papadeaux in Dallas for the two of us! Only then we don't have a chauffeur!



Saturday morning began the great move of kitchen items from the pantry to the new metal cupboards. Inge knew what she wanted where. But after breakfast she went to the pantry that she had spent all of Wednesday and Thursday getting all organized and everything-- stuff used at breakfast was just put back on the shelves where it use to be and not with it's new order all in French. When only two cooks can sort of read and they are not the ones that put it up... you can now find the salt in the cocoa area! (Last week the oldest of the cooks and the one that can't read - but follows as if he can- an open recipe- by memory-sort of- came to me to tell me he forgot to put pepper on the list and we need it and he showed me the almost empty bottle. I knew that I had bought 6 metal containers of black pepper the Wednesday before. So I said,"Let's go look and be sure, Papa." There on the shelf next to the other empty round bottle of pepper were the metal canisters- same exact words, colors and label design. They did not look the same so he had no idea they were pepper! Sad!)  So the the two cooks that can sort of read must now put stuff back in the pantry not the non readers. Always something. It is Congo!

Saturday afternoon the French kids practiced a song and a Hoochie Line dance they were going to perform at a wedding they went to Saturday night for a Mennonite pastor here in town. They left here at 4 ish and did not look like the Mennonite folks we see in west Texas that dress like "Little House on the Prairie." In no shape or form have they been dressing that way while here so we were all surprised to find out that they too are Mennonites. Guess with the Haut Couture in France they dress differently!? Anyway, the men and boys were all is suits and ties and the ladies in very dressy Sunday dresses and cocktail outfits complete with stiletto heels. The girls- mostly blonds and light brown haired girls have all- except one blond- slowly but surely been getting hair extension braids of dark black Congo braids. They look very different to say the least!! They chose the very long thick braids to be woven into their European hair. Well, now the girls are complaining that their hair and heads hurt- I guess probably from the pull and weight from the tightly woven doos.! But they are all having a ball and have been working like dogs at the Mennonite Orphanage.
By the way, they finally came home at 1 AM this morning and the ceremony was still going on and the food had not been served yet. Forgot to ask if they got to sing and dance for the couple or not!  So other than breakfast their only food Saturday was a Congo meal of beans and rice here at MPH Saturday noon!   This morning they all headed out to church in various African Material shirts on all the men and boys and various styles of outfits for the ladies and girls. Bright colors!

Saturday night those 13 of us here and 4 guests of the Sthreshleys had Hot Dogs and fixings and S'mores for supper. Michael had built a huge fire and we found in the kitchen- as we were cleaning it- actual metal skewers from the past!  So they were put to great use and Michael did not have to carve us skewers from bamboo this time! After the hot dog and S'mores a fire was lit in a huge hole by the new house where stumps and other building scraps were put! The fire was gargantuan! An no water hose near by. Still smoldering this morning! 

A little after six AM this morning there is a knock on our door. I had not been able to sleep so I was up, showered, dressed, had started a load of laundry and was reading the US newspapers on line. It was one of the cooks. He could not get the combination to the wooden cupboard to open so he could get into the pantry and into the new metal cupboards. Inge, the head cook and I are the only ones with the combination to the cupboard that holds all keys!. So I went out. He had the right combination turned in but had forgotten to push the button on the bottom. So then they could get to the dishes and the food stuff and begin preparation for breakfast!  It is Congo!

"T" day is tomorrow!  They don't want to set anything up until it is bed time. I have been told to feel free to say "L'absence de planification de votre part ne constitue pas une urgence sue le mien." AKA "The failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."  Then tell them good night and go to your apartment. Don't know if I have the "Steel Magnolias" to actually say it! ;) After this group leaves Friday we have another group of only 14 ;)) arriving. It's all relative!

Well, Hope you are having a great weekend. We played hooky this morning and went to "Bedside Baptist!" ;)

Love, ya! Me



 

26. Funny What No Internet Service Does to Folks! Whew! No, It Is Not Funny.

Mother Murray's Flowers still bloom
 in their old yard! Neat!!

This blog’s title tells you how my day started!! “Hey,” I want to say,”its Congo- be glad you have it most of the time. I am from the Congo generation where news and letters were at least three weeks away or Short Wave Radio at midnight!!” But I have now smiled multiple times and I keep telling them we are aware of the problem and the city is working on it. “Yes, you are more than welcome to turn the surge protector on and off and see if that helps.” We Americans and these French are addicted our phones, Wi-Fi and I Pads!! I think SPOILED is the word I am looking for- with all we have!!  I can’t get on line and do business either. So, I decided to write a blog on a Word Document to be posted when I can get to the blog.

We have some fun guests here right now. One group is from Mississippi and it is so nice to have folks here without an accent! ;)  They even understood- “Kiss My Grits!”  One even knows Rocky Felker that we coached with at Texas Tech!! They were up country working and this is two’s first visit to Congo. They stayed in a village and were fed by the natives. So ate goat liver, large rat liver and the rat, intestines, Manioc Beda, greens, whole smoked fish and dried fish and pineapple( until their mouths were raw from all of the acid!). They also described having selected large crispy and gushy bugs in the gravy. So I guess fish heads for lunch at MPH is not that bad!!

The other group is from the part of Oregon that reminds me of Montreat, NC. – Ashland and Medford area. They live in Grants Pass area. (Been to all three places when I was working out there! LOVE it!!) They too were up country for a week in another area. One came back and has been in ICU in the hospital. Has been diagnosed with everything in the abdomen area except pregnancy! Feel so sorry for him because he speaks NO French and they are doing all sorts of tests (American Money Tests, he wants to know? But he is afraid to tell them to take a leap! He is two days by air from home! And in pain!) So two of his pals went on home and the third has stayed here with us while he is still in the hospital. Their Host will leave Friday and then I will be the go between with the aid of a Missionary lady who is a PA... Scary thought, eh? (Running MPH covers A-Z, I guess!! So now do I need to get Patient Surgical Scrubs too?? Oh, Dear!!)

The organization of the kitchen area continues. Inge is on max overload with getting things moved and cleaned and…and…So she gives me the list she wants done and I tell Ken- the Overseer- and he gets Baba to do as she has asked. So it is S-W-A-N time for us all. Yesterday while we were out grocery shopping she alphabetized the pantry. All is done in French and at a glance one can see what we have and what we don’t have. Every Tuesday she is going to stay at MPH and facilitate the ordering of the food needed to feed guests and the food needed to keep either a Max or Normal supply on hand. Tires me out just writing about it! So we are currently removing a termite infested cabinet in the pantry, putting another in its place eventually and, cleaning a spot for two of the three new metal cabinets to be put in the kitchen, getting out a refrigerator for use and the list goes on…So she says “Lenore’, I say “Ken” and he says ”Baba!! ;))

Yesterday in addition to some reservation issues, a guest in the hospital, and feeding 40 for breakfast , one of the French ladies comes up to tell me she has broken the tub washing her feet. “Broken the tub!” Inge and I haul off for the Girl’s Dormitory Bath with the lady behind us! Turns out they call a sink a tub! So we arrive and the porcelain sink is pulled off the wall and broken into huge and small shards of glass. I ask her what happened. “I was washing my feet in the sink.” So I tell her that sinks are for hands and the tub and the Douche (shower) are for feet!! “But it was ok yesterday!” Luckily she was not all cut up!! So I go down to finish breakfast and try to get all organized for clean up and see if we have an old sink that will work to be mounted right now. (We don’t. Welcome Home, Clay!)  Meanwhile hospital calls and now they have a diagnosis of pancreatitis, or gallbladder and/or blocked bowel. Plus the chauffeur arrives and needs gas money so we can go grocery shopping. (No, I don’t want to open a B&B!) Then the Mississippi guys want to ride down town with us so they can see about changing flight tickets and want my phone number so they can call us to come get them after they eat lunch. I don’t know the number- I never call myself and it is MPH’s number. So I have to call his number so he has mine! I look at Inge and she smiles. So I tell them sure! So eventually off we go. To say I am frazzled is an understatement and I barely have a grip on my Patient Panties. Ken keeps telling me to “Breathe Lenore, it will all be Ok.” Then he risks his life and chimes in with Dad Murray’s favorite saying -”In 100 years no one will know the difference!” ;)) Mississippi guys want pizza and we don’t! So we go for Chinese and it was soooo good. Go and get the guys from the pizza place and head to the last store for marshmallows, hot dogs and buns and chocolate and Petit Beurre. (Are having a picnic supper Saturday night on the patio- I have created a monster! They love Hot Dogs and S’mores!!- for just the smaller group of us who are pretty much “regular” residents here. (The French are going to a wedding!)

Sunday afternoon – my “day off’ – right!  A Pastor Kienyamba, comes by and wants rooms in September. He is in a foul mood- guess his sermon crashed and burned or something. We get it all sorted out and he says he will return later in the afternoon. Well, he shows up Thursday (It’s Congo!) and wants the room prices and everything. I had it all ready and had not thrown it out- for some reason –I’d put it in my desk drawer. He is having a conference to teach older kids and parents to work with younger one. Tells me it’s sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. I just stare at him! Samaritan’s Purse is Franklin Graham from Montreat and Boone!!  I grew up with him andhis sister, Anne,  was in our wedding! Well then we sort of bond! He even complimented my French! He will let me know on using MPH. Then low and behold he returns in about 20 minutes and brings me a copy- in French of the two books the kids will get and the New Testament that the parents will get to help them all read etc! Small World after all!! Another one of those “amazing coincidences!”  ;)

Two of the three metal cabinets we bought and paid for arrive- they are still putting the third one together at the store and will bring it “sometime soon”- It is Congo! So now we need to remove the water from two five hundred/ 50? - I don't know but it is a bunch of water!! -gallon plastic storage drums, wash the floor under them and get the new cabinets into place. Then the plans are to put all the dishes into them and other stuff necessary to serve a meal rather than have it all back in the locked pantry room. Then we will get to the rest of Inge’s list. For Bill Clinton it takes a “Whole Village to Raise a Child” or was that Hillary? Anyway, it just takes two Murrays and Inge to tackle MPH! ;)

Called Christian – the Electrician - and he is repairing a bedroom light, fixing an eye on one of the stoves, checking to see if there is enough power to put another big freezer in the pantry and carry the electrical load. Ken and he and Baba are all talking away in Tshiluba!! Fun and funny to listen to!

There is one topic I am avoiding- in life, in this blog, at MPH. It’s the “T” word. It happens Monday the 29^th. I am not looking forward to all of that. But it has to be done. So do it I will. Patient panties, S-W-A-N, and “I Think I Can!” may get me through the “T” episode! Figured it out yet?? If this will just go down easily and no feet where feet don’t belong, and mattresses and rooms are all the way guests say they want them this time. I will be ok- maybe!! ;)) So figured it out yet? Tents! 

Yesterday when I headed out to do Groceries my list was very short! But arguing is above my pay grade as an unpaid volunteer. We did not have over half of the things we usually have on the list and considering the house is full and overflowing and the menus are the same- I asked several times- “Is this all I really need to get??” “Yes.” Well, I asked again since the printed list was checked by the cook that can’t read-because one of the other two is on vacation and the other still has malaria. (If he suddenly feels better after the 24 French leave, I will smell a skunk! He was also sick when we had the three day conference of 63!!) “No, Mama Lenore, this is all we need.” So when I get back I ask why I didn’t have to buy this, this, and that this time? Look of shock, “But Mama we need that!!” Duh!! So it had to be bought today at native market!! Then they told me just tell us we have to get it next time if you see it not on the list. Ok! (Folks,I diplomatically tried this time!!)

Still no Internet and folks are coming in for the evening and asking for it! I'm going to go hide! ;)

Take Care!! Love Ya! Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have I Told You Lately?

                            Have I Told You Lately?

Thank you for being the love of my life.

Our choices of the heart have made me.

Forty five years is not enough

For me to know the depth of your love for me.

I don't know if I will ever truly know

 the beauty of your love for me.

So at least forty five more years are my goal.

Our love is well tempered by the years.

Happiness has always been your gift to me.

Your love for me is there again and again.

You give me pure delight!

When you chose me-It's the thing I hold most dear.

You make my world.

You make me,me!

In your eyes I have been able to see what I can be.

Because of you -Our love has been happy,sure and strong.

Our years together are my blessing!

We have been together so long that I can see

The memories of our years together in just your shadow as you pass!

With you my happiness has been without end.

Forty five years are not enough

So let's begin- the next forty five- Let's begin again!!

 

 I love you, Ken! 

Thanks for the Memories!!

"Best Exotic Merigold Hotel"- Close But No Cigar!! Well, Maybe!

If you are about our age, have parents our age, are seeing life changing before your eyes, are wondering what I am seeing out here- then I have an answer for you. The movie in this Blog's title is a movie Ken and I enjoyed in a bitter sweet sort of way. So much of the movie reminds me of life here at MPH and yet I'm not sure it does in other ways.

Days continues to amaze us here. Each one is full of memories, smells, sounds and folks who bring so much to our hearts and minds. I keep thinking that soon one day will be like another - like it is so many times in the States- but it never is. We are getting all of these "unexpected gifts and coincidences"- only they really aren't-are they!? This Special Walk we are taking here in Congo has a plan and we didn't even make it! Wow! Isn't life amazing!

As evening approaches here in this vast country, the birds are noisily settling. The various workers are turning  in their work sheets and telling me,"Au'revoir, Mama Lenore." I can smell supper cooking- and I didn't have to invent it or cook it! The eight loads of guest's laundry has been done and folded. The tables are set for 40 and I am at peace("in the Valley").

Supper at Mama Colonel was great. The Ex Pat, Nancy, that usually drives on Friday nights, is in the US until mid August. So the Sthreshleys offered to let us ride with them to supper where they were meeting Embassy friends for a goodbye party. So Ken and I got a ride and had a nice quiet supper alone. We were on a patio with palms and plants and flowers, a gentle breeze that kept the mosquitoes away-Ken wore a windbreaker-and a live music trio with a guitar, drum sticks and nice gentle jazz tunes. The food was GREAT! We each ordered a whole chicken as advised. Calm down. These are Congo chickens and are less than half the size of a HALF of an American- growth harmone fed- chicken. The whole bird did not cover the plate. But it was so moist and well seasoned. (Not as great as Ken's BBQ but very good!!) That and Pommes Frites with mayonnaise instead of ketchup.(Try it! You'll like it!) We had a great evening together!

The Falls group left Saturday morning. Took camp food and had hotel provided tents- complete with mattress, sheets and blanket and pillow- or hotel spaces. Said the falls were gorgeous, huge and loud! Even in dry season. Also had a trip to a beach on the Congo River that is like the River of long ago with  clean, white, sandy beaches, clear water, rapids off in the distance and not many people. (It costs $6 a person to enter the park.) Had hot dogs and S'mores for one meal. So I will be on the search for more marshmallows. One of the young guys who went went them swam in the river.  I asked him about crocodiles. Said he didn't see any crocodiles! Duh!! This morning Inge was telling him about the tracks of one who had been sunning there!! Oops!! Their three hour trip home took over 9- getting home around midnight. They had three flat tires- one tire twice. Finally realized they could not make it back here. So had tires from here delivered to them there. Luckily they had the flats near a "larger" village where they could get bottled water and a meal. So they were dragging this morning.

Long ago I told you about an "alarm bird." We are no longer using an alarm clock but depend on the Shutshihutshi who sings at 5:30-5:45 every morning right outside our bedroom window. The other day we heard a sound as if a person was being skinned alive. It almost scared us out of ours! Turns out it's a big ugly bird that comes seasonally. I really do enjoy the winged choir outside of our apartment each morning. They answer each other all over the yard. Some folks refer to MPH as the House of Birds. With so many trees we have a great many.

People are interesting the world over as they try to deal with others. Had an interesting group from South Africa for five days. It was made up of two South African men and two Indian women. It was interesting to watch their metamorphosis from arrival to meeting their Congolese hosts. They arrived in European suits and slacks with a tunic for the ladies. But then the ladies changed into their typical Indian Saris etc. The men got all decked out each day in unbelievably bright purple, pink, turquoise and gold long flowing men's caftans. Each day a brighter color and trim. Then when here at MPH were in slacks and a t shirt! Two times they had a guest. So when I went to their rooms to tell them-
" Tell them we will be down in ten minutes." They'd walk down all decked out again.  At the end of their first day one of the men came to my office. "When do you intend to clean our rooms? We have been gone all day and they are not done." "I'm sorry, Sir, but we are a hostel not a hotel and we don't clean rooms until you have been here a week. We will provide a clean towel on request and toilet paper." "Well, the least you can do is come and sweep my room- it is dusty." "I'm sorry, Sir, but the help is gone for the day. It is Dry Season and there is dust all the time until it rains.  There is a broom and a dust pan and a small brush at the end of each hall. You are more than welcome to use them.""Our Sponsor did not tell us this is a hostel." "Oh, I am so sorry . Here, use my phone and call him and see if he can call and get you a room at one the Kinshasa hotels. They run about $200-$300 a day and come with full service." "No, Thank you," he says. I have a friend, Lee, from Pawleys Island, SC that would have said " B---h!" But when she says it, it is a hoot and a holler because with that pretty SC accent the word had ten syllables and is as sweet as molasses. A sweet Southern Steel Magnolia "compliment!"

These cats are a mess and funny and the things they do to get our attention are a riot. I still hate the litter box!!! Bella is now trying to get out of the apartment almost every time we open the door. So, Clay and Cindy, if she gets out and it takes us awhile to get her- you might have grand kittens when you get back and plenty of cats to pet! (Just hope she picks a stud muffin guy cat because with her as a mother those kittens need all the help they can get!!) ;) We are being very careful but she is not afraid of us anymore.

One of our guests is a young man from NC. He is waiting for his long term visa and for the car he is escorting to Kananga to get a tag. He plays soccer against the MPH wall a bunch. So he comes in and asks for a ladder. Goes over the wall and retrieves the ball. Then he plays and kicks it over again. By the time he gets the ladder there is no ball but there are a bunch of 4-5 year olds saying"What ball?" So he walks to Ketambe- a shopping area near MPH -and buys another. Antonio must be a slow learner. In two days he looses 5 soccer balls! It's funny to watch from the second floor. When he begins to kick and kick the ball against the wall a crowd of little ones gather on the other side in anticipation! Whoop. It's over the wall. "What ball, Monsieur?" ;))

Inga wanted to go to Limete this morning and knew that is where Ken and his folks had lived when here. So she invited us to go with her as she searched for a store she had heard about to see if it sells metal cabinets with doors. So Emanuel took us to Ken's old house.  Inge had him explain who we were and ask if we could come inside the gate and see the place. They let us in. It was amazing how good it looked. Ken was able to show me his bedroom windows, the porch and the patio. While there we met a lady that knew of Uncle Mark Pool and his work with the pygmies . She now works with them. She also called the minister and he came over. He was a  young pastor when Mom and Dad Murray were here after Independence and remembered them well. So saw all the mango, coconut, papaya, and nut trees still in the in the yard. Next door is the old McCutchen home that is now a clinic. Considering it has been 53+ years they looked pretty good. The area reminds me of the areas of Tech Terrace in Lubbock and Highland Park in Dallas. Only no Yuppies have moved in and rescued these lovely old  Belgian homes in the neighborhood. Some need some TLC and other need a bunch of TLC. Sad to see how fast things deteriorate here. Saw a guy walking- on a leash- his pet goat. Go figure!!

We left there and went to TAKEA a Congo take off on IKEA.( Saw the huge soccer complex on the way!) Much smaller but complete with arrows on the floor, decorated rooms set up, a place for children to play and a restaurant. All is pressed wood and termites will have it destroyed in less than two years. Very pretty now! Went to another store and found the cabinets Inge wanted. They will be delivered tomorrow afternoon. Then when she knows what she wants in them I will oversee that chore for her. Had lunch at a pretty little patisserie and I had Quiche Lorraine and it was so good!

The French! Mon Goodness! (I was looking for a guillotine but remembered mypatient panties. So all French adult necks are safe!)  ;)) The group is made up of 18 HS students- mostly girls - make that giggle city- and 6 adults.  As I was looking at their reservations I realized that if what was going to happening to them was going to happen to me I would want advance notice. They wanted to stay here two full weeks but we could not house all of them the last 4 nights. So they offered to bring their own tents and 13 of the 24 would spend these nights in tents if we would just let them stay here. Three of the five rooms are the 3 adult couples! Yep! So I called Martine in to tell her. "Yes we know." So I tell her she is braver than I am to stay in a tent in the back yard here in Congo for four nights! " Oh no, we will be in the dorm rooms." "No, those are male and female halls and they will be full of the other adult guests expecting male and female halls." " But I have a bad back!" (Don't we all!)  It goes round and round. Finally I tell her the three wives can sleep together and the three husbands. But no couples and they get to kick the other kids out and into tents. Then I realize no French adults will be in the back yard with all of these kids. So I arrange for one of the two night sentries to be in the back yard to guard them during the nights. But I was also concerned about creepy crawlies, slithery things and mosquitoes and I guess French Harmones!  So this morning the adults came in sheepishly and asked if they could please put the tents in the halls. ( I had already thought of that and had cleared it with Inge) So when they asked, I magnanimously said "Yes, we can allow that." So "all is quiet on the western front"- as of now.

So hope your areas of the world are quiet. Have a great week. Let Ken or me hear from you sometime! Love Ya, ME

24 French and Decreasing / Increasing Daily With Other Guests and Groups- Plus Our Lives Go On!

Well, Inga -and, therefore I- are on a "clean this" mission at MPH. Have gotten the whole living room areas and the dining room area walls all washed. Are now attacking the stair hallway walls and the kitchen . So Tshimbu is attacking all of that and Kabanza the hall stair walls. Also have him cleaning the walls to the huge pantry and door areas. You should have seen the reaction when I put on my pretty blue and white - with ruffles -apron and went in to help scrub the main work island and show what I wanted!!! I might have well have asked them to strip! "NO! Mama!!" So I showed them what I wanted fast and just keep going in and praising them. Once half of the work island was done so the cooks could  move to the other end of the island, Papa Mata asked if I could get all of the counters done too. Guess they saw how great the counter looked and how dusty the rest of the kitchen really was. It only took soap and very HOT water to cut the grease!! This took all day while- we were out doing the groceries. Everything looks great!! But it is dry and dusty season. Laundry room and kitcher hallway are next. Also went and checked the dorm baths and there are no longer spiderwebs all over the place. So they looked at my picture reminders and are doing well. I'm proud of them and brag constantly! ;)) Yea!! This ole Southern Stubborn Mule will get it done - hopefully with sugar instead of having to go to vinegar!! ;))




Ken at Barber

Also while out we made a stop at a Salon for me to be pampered and Ken to get his ears lowered. Mansour from Morocco cut our hair. His shirt color was the same as the girls outfits except a different design. He had a thick beard and his shirt unbuttoned to his waist! Sexy-I guess- for someone!  ;) He has five girls that assist him. The one standing by Ken washed his hair and then seated him. Then her job was to swish Ken's face and neck with a soft brush every time hair got on it. Good haircut but as Ken says, "He's no Lynnette Smith!"- his favorite barber in Lubbock- NO ! Favorite in the whole WORLD!! Then it was my turn. Another young lady took care of me. A great hair wash and then head massage. (Told her I'd give her ten years to stop. It lost something in translation!) She seated me and he cut my hair. Showed him the pics on my phone and I got the same cut! Then pedi and mani for me. Can you believe they did not have my favorite OPI Cajun Shrimp color! Bummer! Wonderful pampering time. Much cheaper than the US! Next customer had long hair. The girls would hold the sections out of his way as he dried it. No big hair clip deals. The girls were all dressed in the same uniforms. He had a Dalmatian the size of a horse- yes it was a Dalmatian not a Great Dane (as I thought was a possibility) and gorgeous. But on our arrival the dog unhappily went to the back room. There are no codes in this country- no salon, restaurant, electrical or anything.  Food For Thought would have a Hay Day.


DFC- Democratic Fried Chicken? What A Hoot!
Or is that What A "Cluck?"

Another " In the Sign Department" on our way to town. We seem to go various streets each week as my requests vary on what we need. I tell Emanuel, the Chauffeur, where I want to go and the order is his choice- most times. If we get meat that grocery has to be the last stop after lunch. So this time it is a take off on KFC!! It's DFC! Love it! On way home also saw a French sign but it also had one in English- "Ladies Night" at a local bar. Not the one across the street but a near by one. But Ken  was not interested in saving money so we did not go! ;)

 The French arrived at 11:30/23:30 PM ! Flight on time- 7:40. Two hours to get bags- 2 still not here. Then the rest spent getting here from the airport. Then got rooms all assigned and I went and got my gown on and sat down on the bed- K-flop. "Knock! Knock!" Get on bathrobe and go to the door. (Which has a MPH sign on it in French and English that says "Unless it is an Emergency, Do Not knock after 9 PM"- OOPS! Guess it was an emergency for 18 tired and thirsty teenagers!)  ;)) They all wanted cokes and Fanta Orange. Those are kept in a locked refrigerator cabinet. So out the keys and I go. Patient Panties! So far they have been very polite and the kids speak great English! Adults are hit and miss.

This morning they tell me there may be even more for lunch. So I go and ask Inga and I return with the answer. "May" doesn't work well for food I tell them. You can agree to pay for 30 whether they show or not or stay at 24 guests to add to your 24 folks. They agree on thirty. So lunch is now 64 and no more counting from them. (Another group of 4 has until  the 9:30 AM -Cut Off for signing up for lunch to let us know-or they can't eat lunch here.) Then the French want a big place to meet each day. I tell them the large conference room is available at $70 a day. "Even for an hour or so for the conference room?" So I tell them yes. (We are NOT a hotel - though they would charge more than $70!!- I want to tell them but I smile and paddle like crazy under the water!! Think, Lenore,
S-W-A-N!) Or the patio or library for free. Isn't life fun! When their 24+ guests arrived and all got to the Conference room, they have been singing and it has been so pretty! The kids are here to help for two weeks build /remodel a kitchen at an orphanage. Before the adult guests arrived the kids were outside playing soccer and volleyball with out a net. Were having lots of fun.


This is the door to my office. The carved symbol is the same one as the ones painted around the top of the walls in the  dining area. It is Bakuba symbol and means Welcome.If you look at it you can see the head in the center and the arm is in the air waving welcome. Well, maybe you can't see it -so use your BIG imagination!! ;))

Issues in the kitchen. Yesterday's lunch for 64 was 45 minutes late. Supper was not enough meat servings.  When one can't read it is hard to "gazillionize" a recipe for 4 to feed 40+. So he "sort of" doubled a recipe for pancakes for 40 this morning by adding more flour. The recipe was for 4 so we were a "tad"bit short plus sort of flat tasting! Inge went in and made more and followed the recipe and included all the ingredients and increased it. As we Murrays call it "She had a tight jaw!"So Inge is here for the whole day to see about getting the kitchen sorted out. She has the patience of Job!  It's above my pay grade!-Thank Goodness!! She has asked me and my Type A personality to help. So I am to look at jobs the different cooks can each do so it is not duplicated and thus help each other and have it run smoother. So I will surf the net for help on what a Chef does because huge kitchens are not my forte'. Also she just came in and wants a Daily,Weekly and Monthly cleaning schedule for commercial Kitchens. I will look for that next.

Tonight we are going to Chez Mama Colonel! Guess what they serve!! He! He! Can't wait to go! Think I'll order chicken- BBQ if they have it! I'd love some of Ken's BBQ chicken and one of his steaks.  Doris Weeks is home in Savannah and I asked her to bring some BBQ sauce so we may do it here for "family. Hope it is still warm when we get home in October so he can cook me some on the Grill. Found out Larry likes Spoon Bread so I am going to do that too when it is a small crowd and we have a Texas meal and see how it goes before I even try to teach the cooks Texas Fried steak. We actually found hot dogs at the Snooty Patooty grocery. So that is up next too. Not the ones that look like fingers floating in a glass jar-  but in a package like home. Not Oscar Mayer but hey at least they aren't floating!!

I am off to see the Wizard! The Wonderful Wizzard of..... They have promised to take us to the Zongo Falls for Ken's and my Birthday combination! Yea!! Fun in the future!!

Y'all have a great weekend, now, Ya Hear!!  Love, ya! ME































"Hakuna Matata" Remember? ....Sing it! ...Lion King's- "Don't Worry! Be Happy!"

Phone dings. I look at text and it says "Go to US. Con. site or your email for advisory." This time I knew it would be in the Kivu- Northeast of the country from here. Yep, I was right. Here is what they had to say to us here in Congo this time:

"The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa alerts U.S. citizens of increased rebel activity and fighting in the province of North Kivu. The U.S. Embassy has received credible reports of attacks, kidnappings, and fighting in the Beni area by the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), also known as ADF-National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (ADF-NALU). In addition, the rebel group M23 has recently clashed with the DRC army (FARDC) north of Goma. The security situation around the cities of Beni and Goma is fluid and tense. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends you avoid travel to the province of North Kivu. Because of ongoing instability and violence, the U.S. Embassy's ability to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in this region of the DRC is extremely limited. Armed groups in this area are known to pillage, steal vehicles, kidnap, rape, kill, and carry out military or paramilitary operations in which civilians are indiscriminately targeted. The U.S. Embassy currently reviews travel requests by official personnel to North Kivu on a case-by-case basis."

 

So we aren't going there! ;) Weren't anyway. They are almost 2000 miles from here. So if you hear about stuff there- it is not near enough to worry. It is in Congo, but this place is huge!! We are still carrying paper copies of our passport not the real thing with us when we leave MPH. Still heading for the grocery stores on Wednesday. Life as usual here.

 

Someone in the neighborhood gave a bunch of kids whistles and their lungs should have deflated by now!! Been almost non stop all morning. Maybe their Moms will make them take a nap after lunch.  Probably not! Found out it is graduation days and so maybe that is the whistle deal. They pour white powder on their hair and faces so folks can tell the graduates! (And we wear black robes- go figure!) Now that I think about it the bar was LOUD last night across the street and they were doing whistles too!!

 

 Mid morning I was sitting working at my desk and Ken is keeping me company. A Congolese man  in walks in. He tells me he is with the Protestant University here. (I knew what he wanted before he explained.  An Associate Prof at ___with wife getting PhD from___want to spend August- December here for a quiet place for her to do research. I had asked Inga. There are basically no rooms for long stays until October. Kitchen work in December so Inga told me to recommended two other places she gave me the names of and explain that we are a hostel for predominately missionaries and church work groups as they come and go in country and they come first.) He tells us he is an administrator had the same story as they did. So I told him we had no room until maybe October but that missionaries etc come first.

 

Two Kuetas! Sweet!!

As I was struggling with all of this in French, I asked where he was from since he had told us he is Presbyterian. He was from Bulape- Ken's station. Well, an hour, shared pictures of long ago from my phone and tears later we were all best buds. Talking all done in Tshiluba. He knew the man that was Ken's Tatu- nanny. That man's son- now older- lives here in Kinshasa. Small world after all! When it was all said and done he agreed that this is a place for missionaries and since we are full for a lot of the time- these folks need to stay in one of the places I had recommended in my email . He would recommend the same places. Turns out he and Ken are "twins' ( excuse spelling- "shakina") Part of his name is also Kueta!( Mamba Shambe Kueta!) Wow! After the whole visit it took Ken quite a while to calm down. So even though I have not gotten Ken to Bulape station, the station is coming to him! The man knew of the story of  Betty Lou's and polio and had seen her grave. WOW!! Also knew of Uncle Mark Pool- the doctor at Bulape.

 

Well, the trip to the Zongo Falls is back on for this weekend. But with the house full, Ken and I are going to stay here. Hope to make it there somehow before we leave and before rainy season when the 3-4 hour trip can take up to 8! There has to be someone here at MPH that knows what is going on. Yea, right!  Well...someone who can fake it. And THAT I can do!! (My students never did figure that out except maybe one very special young man named, Reagan!) But I have got to have a lot of phone numbers  before everyone leaves us alone here-everyone I know is going to the falls or in the US for a month! With a house full of guests I want to be prepared with electrician, plumber, clinic, taxi, no 911 here!  Sorry but that is what Type A folks do! To top it all off the group of 24 from Paris just wrote to tell us that they have invited 24 Congolese - or "maybe a few more" to lunch on Thursday. So now we are feeding about 70. I may run away! ;)  (Cindy Dunn, - what have you done gone and left  me!!?? - I think I still love you! At least I figure if I make this two weeks- "I can do Anything!!")

 

Love hearing from you McCall cousins! Some on Facebook and some by email. Glad you are enjoying the blog and I love hearing from you too. Ann, you will have to show me how to do one of those picture books! The one like you did for Ken and me of the Thanksgiving we all shared on the Britt farm! I want to do one of this trip. Would it be possible to include my blog with the pictures or it is only for pictures for the most part??

 

Well, Folks, That's All!! 

 Love ya, ME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weeks of " Little Golden Book" Momments Ahead

Well, here we go!

This is the week that starts 6 weeks of when I will need to have a truck load of Patient Panties, the Patience of Job, a Cardiac Arrest Surgeon on Stand-by, hope no one else has or gets Malaria or any other tropical disease, nothing breaks, they get a leak fixed in the men's dorm bath area, there are enough sheets and towels for everyone (no Hoarding!), guests don't take huge helpings, supplies last as they should, no more folks just walk up and ask in French- or any other language-  for a room for five days starting tonight, I don't have a chocolate attack(I have one package of Peanut M&M's from our flight over and only allow myself 1-2 during a major chocolate attack! I have Ken dole them out to me 2 per attack! I've had 4 so far since June 3rd!  Pretty good, eh?  ;)  ), flights leave as scheduled because no one can return to their rooms because folks are coming in with reservations for that room, and nothing I haven't imagined happens. ("Oh Dear, What can the Matter Be?" keeps going through my mind!)



"I Think I Can, I Think I Can!" AKA- "I Hope I Can, I Hope I Can!"

So I am depending on two Little Golden Books from my youth to get me through until late August. When I taught school in Lubbock I had a little wooden sign - "I Think I Can, I Think I Can!"-  hanging in my classroom.(Should have brought the sign with me!) Hopefully by August 25th when we go back to "comfortably full" here at MPH, I can say:" I Think I Did, I Think I Did!" 







"Who's Been Sleeping in MY Bed!!"

We have twenty rooms that are used by guests here at MPH. Except for a suite that sleeps a couple and a single, all rooms are for two folks. We do have two rooms with a Queen bed but unless it is a couple we don't put two in them. Folks out here freak with two of the same sex in one bed. So we don't even think of doing that- with Americans either.Very taboo. So now you can see my excitement with 45 staying here starting this week for two weeks.

I taught History and Government and have always found Math to be an "abomination" - as my Grandmother said. Figuring out rooms and tents and towels and shits- oops, I mean sheets- (Yes, and I have to do bills and budget here!) EVERY day I take my hat off to Cindy and Clay- the regular managers- who are on vacation in the states. Hope we don't have to put folks on our couches here in the apartment. ;(((

So we are bringing in mattresses to put in the rooms for the Group from France-called "Joie and Vie"(Joy and Life---Humm....I'll let that go with no comment other than-Whose "Joie and  Vie" are we talking about!!?? ;) ) They begged to stay here for two weeks- knowing it would be mattresses for week two- since the second week was taken already. They are to then be in tents and will either camp out in the second floor dorm hallways or out on the soccer field. At least they are supposed to be young- at least younger than I!! Very Interesting!! For two weeks for sure we will have a minimum of 45 folks here- for meals too! I have not looked too far ahead because as the saying goes..."I can't handle the truth!"

Friday night we went with the Expats to an Indian Restaurant. I never know what to order at these restaurants! Ken and I shared very good chicken Samosas and I had a chicken Biryani deal and it was just OK. Ken ordered Chinese Chicken Fried Rice and it was great. The bread thingy was good too- sort of a pizza/tortillas deal. I stick with my bottled water and Ken with his Soda water(not Tonic).  Others had mutton in a brownish gravy (I did Not try it! I can't eat Lambchops after watching him/her on TV with Sherry!!). Some green sauce with cheese squares floating in it- was OK.  Yogurt stuff was OK too.The driver of our group is going state side for a month for her summer vacation. So we'll see if we still go out or are marooned for a month- or call a Taxi or hire the MPH Chauffeur. Antonio Martinez- MPH guest on way up country to work as an architect- went with us and was floored at the prices. It is a very nice restaurant. Guess he thought we were going to a Fast Food Street restaurant. Nope, Nancy told him- about $20-$30 per person without alcohol is the usual. So Ken and I covered him until we got home. With two beers it set him back $40! ( "But I get beers for $2.00 near MPH." he told us.) Youth!

Saturday night Larry made Pizzas and they were GREAT!  Then the Sthreshley kids asked if we could do S'mores! So we lit up the little fire bucket and made S'mores! I had been wanting to do it!! So Inge had some Cote d'Or chocolates. I had searched 7 grocery stores and found some pink and white normal sized marshmallows (At the "Snooty Patooty" South African Grocery store.- Most  groceries don't carry them because "they have to be flown in because they melt all together on the cargo ships!") No Graham Crackers to be found. So used Petit Beurres- a European butter cookie. Michael got and made us bamboo skewers to toast with and we had a great time- well, at least I did! ;)

Some guys just came back through from taking trucks, bicycles and a gazillion deals of gas up country. They will be working building roads in various places. 500 Kilometers at a stretch. They shared pictures with us at breakfast of their trip. I could just as easily pulled out the ones my parents took over 60 years ago. The jungle has reclaimed almost all of it. His folk's home from the 1960's was stripped except for the walls and roof. Has a gorgeous view of the river from the covered porch. Just walls and what the termites have not eaten and a roof.  No water, no fixtures, and no electricity. And he wants to take his wife up there while he is building the roads! I have met her and gotten to know her. She is in Savannah right now but due back in a month. The only thing I can't see her doing without (and they were missionaries here and in multiple other African countries) is contact with the outside world-AKA-grandchildren!! ;) Log bridges - sort of-and mud and a barely there road/path. With the wealth of this country it is so sad to see it so far behind.

Just got back from the Congo River. We went out to Tin Tin's-a restaurant named after the Comic book Character I told you about last post- I think! Great road and then NOT!! Was like one of those car races over all the bumps. Then hit some mud and then were there. The food was very good. Had baked chicken and fries covered with mayonnaise and pelepele. There were clown entertainers. Congolese men with white face paint. There was also a young contortionist who stacked up various sized cans on top of each other from a regular sized paint can as the largest to a can a little larger then a Campbell's soup can -on the wall by the river-. He  then got on top of the stack of cans and then put his legs behind his head while balanced on his tush on top of a soup can. Was not able to sneak a picture of this though I did get the clowns.
The Congo River is a huge and powerful river and the rapids go form here to Matadi on the coast of the Atlantic to the west. ( feels weird to say "Atlantic on the west")
All  of us but Ken and Inga went down to the water. The sand along the river is called "Sand that barks." As you walk on it,it makes a sound like a small dog barking! Weird. It's an unbelievable powerful river! ( Makes the Royal Gorge etc. in Colorado -that we rafted down- look like a tub!)  Second longest river in the world. If they put a hydro plant on this river it could generate enough power to light ALL of Africa!! Huge canoes are used on this river and I don't see how they do it. LONG canoes!! Since it is dry season the river is "down and slower." Well, I don't want to see it fast!! As evening approached the chickens running around the place started to crow and hunker down.Then the bats came out and began to swoop after the bugs flying around our tables.   Exciting!!



 Well, it is the end of a long day with Church this morning. Love the choir and the drums! 

Hope all of you are doing well. Take care! Love, ya! ME