The van Dijks Go On Leave: Another Cacimbo in Angola

June 14 and its cooler, grey skies with winter in Angola. Still 20-28 degrees and pleasant.
Angola is cranking up for elections and there have been peaceful protests throughout the city. 1000 last weekend.
Today I spent some time tracking down one of the deputy ministers to the President...on a mission to deliver documents for my friend in Zimbabwe. A very nice and kind woman newly appointed in a prominent position of Angola...how reassuring. Sinking into the leather lounge suite and looking out at chaos on the streets..

We've had the terrible two staying and now that the dying cat is no longer dying he gets into also sorts of pickles. Last week he managed to get in trouble 3 times within one minute.
Jeroen arrived home and went to the bedroom so I went to chat with him, and discovered crime number 1:

Shredded sheet!

Felix has a liking for scratching away at the bed linen to get under the blankets and this time he went too far with the bottom sheet.
As I discovered this, I ran back to the kitchen and sure enough he was up on the bench eating our dinner! Crime 2.

So, I chased him off the bench and crime 3 occurred when he skittled off the bench and took a coffee cup with him.

Nope, I didn't see who did that

The other cat, Boris is much more peaceful this week (he has redeemed himself after taking a full bottom of brandy off the bench into smithereens and splatters a few weeks ago).

Coffee, cat and couch

I attended another women's retreat with church. This is my lovely Sister Loriat, the remaining member of my original Bible study group.

African ladies

I probably should have sat down...I look like a giant with my big girl sandals on!

Now that my friend Rukaya is working, I visit her at her office before she begins for the day and we have breakfast in the cafeteria.
No amount of persuasion will get them to serve the omelette and waffles separately.

Cheese omelette on sweet waffles

Hospital waiting areas

Sunset Luanda

Wash day

Angola has been accepting refugees from the DR Congo where over the last 3 months 20,000 people have sought refuge across the border. People escaping mass genocide in their homeland trek days through the bush to seek safety in Angola. The Angola government has responded by providing staples for the often malnourished and malaria-infected migrants.

Seeking safety across the border in Angola

We count our blessings at Imbondeiros pool

HELLLPPP!

June 26 and a beautiful day cruising on the River Kwanza with friends from TA. Most likely our last outing together before Sandra and I leave Angola.

Elaine and Harshal

Joelle and Colette

My selfie didn't go so good...

Cheers Los

Harshal artistry

Bye bye Kasia...leaving Angola tomorrow

a motley crew

Waiting drivers

Expat Girls bill for lunch

Counting the dosh

This is common after an outing...we all put our cash together and someone counts out the many kwanza's to pay our bill.

Gimme your cash

Sunny days

Oops, missed this fella off the pics from yesterday.

spot the lizard

August 16, back from an extended time in NZ having special time with Dad and Mam. My first winter in 5 years...2 degrees was a shock but lovely.

Even Jeddy was a bit cold

Wanganui Dog

Bit of a floral revival

This exhibition was set up to encourage children into the hobby

At the cemetary

Super swan-dri dog

Summer flower in winter

Back to Luanda and wintertime here so no rain. The Angolano's are freezing!
Getting ready and packed up for the movers to come early next month....and we're off to Kuwait. Thankfully we will just miss the excruciatingly hot season.

Taste the Living Waters of 'Good Jesus'

Hanging out of a taxi

THese bin kitties live on the marginal under the café....take me home!

Back together with my old mate, Paco and off out in the car

Final trip to Benfica market...Sandra is choosing her last African art

My dear friend Sandra, aka Los, Liz has departed Angola after 11 years here. Thanks for all the great times and memories.

Runaway baby

This little tacker ran away from his mum who is selling on the streets...he seems familiar with the staff outside a posh hotel so I guess he does it fairly often.

Remember Mali? Here she is with her sister, now living in Alaska

Angola is in preparations for national elections and for the first time in almost 40 years the country looks set to be ruled by someone other than President dos Santos. Joao Lourenco appears almost certain to be elected President on August 23. Here is an interesting article on what will happen to the current President and his family, when he steps away from power. I don't think their billions will suffer.

Incoming President Joao Lourenco

August 17, Visit to French café with my school friends, Luza and Rasa...soon it will be goodbye to them also.

Waiting for cakes

Super fresh juices

My very dear friend Loriat and her grandson Muku

A nice moment visiting with Loriat to say bye before our holiday and greet her daughter, Corinne and grandson, Muku visiting from Zimbabwe. I will miss you a minha amiga.
A special gift given to Jeroen and I from Loriat and Ngoni.

Muku on the camera...Loriat with daughter Corinne and grandson Muku

Corinne was in the middle of having her hair braided. I asked the braider how long it would take...she told me I was bothered by something that has no importance!

Setting up to sell

Today I had the great honour to go and meet the family of Domingos at their home in Bairo Sagrada Esperanca. They live in a two room concrete home with no running water, minimal electricity and the humblest of attitudes. They gave me the seat of honour and went to buy fresh juice for me. Which was poured only for me until I insisted that others have some also. Only Domingos joined me. I taught him how to say 'Cheers'!