Return to Zimbabwe IV

Tuesday, November 22 - Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Monday night, I had every intention of going back to my hotel to work on some of the charts that I've been putting together. But I didn't feel so hot, and the thought of eating made me feel kind of nauseated, so I just watched TV, and by 6:30pm, I was asleep. I slept all night until about 6:15am. So much for working on the charts! I'm still not sure why I haven't felt so hot at night the last few days, but hopefully it will pass once I get home.

I had a note from Julie slid under my door telling me she had gone into work early, so not to expect me at the WHO bus. I had ordered tea for 6:45am, but by 7:10am, it still had not arrived, so I went downstairs. As I got on the elevator, I saw a waiter come out of the service area with a tea tray, and I figure that was mine, but he was almost a half hour late.

The bus came early as usual, and Lisa (the lady from HIV that's going to fill in at the WHO-Kenya office for a couple of months) and I got on. She's a nice lady, but she's pretty naive about how WHO works or the realities of an "African" office environment. She honestly thought that everyone at WHO worked for CDC :) In a way, it's cute, and she's only done an international trip for GAP, so it's understandable. She was also spoiled in that trip, and thinks that things should always be a certain way. She's definitely not happy when the image in her head of how things should be doesn't match the reality. When you're in a developing country, you have to get over those expectations and just accept the world as it comes to you and deal with it. Especially when you wouldn't tolerate something back home. Because, HELLO, you're not home anymore!

The last day had me going through the final number crunching, and also looking at the contribution table. THe numbers didn't match, but I added them up several times, so I don't know what's wrong. Yinka can figure it out. We had to present to Deo at 4pm what all I had done. It seemed silly to me, but I let Yinka do the talking. He seemed pleased, and only asked that I combine two columns, which was easy enough to do. Hopefully, I've made it easy enough that Yinka can figure out what I did. She, Lisa, and I went to lunch at this new Chinese restaurant, which was really good! The hot/sour soup was a bit thick, with the consistency of snot, but it was still quite tasty once you got over that. I had what passed for chicken lo-mein :)

For dinner, Casey and Yinka took me to "Mama Mia's" which is an Italian place, surprise surprise. They were going to take me to a French joint, but it was closed. I changed out money with Yinka, who wrote me a check for the $11M Zim that I had left, which amounted to $125 US. Yinka bought my dinner to thank me for my help, which was nice.

After she dropped me off at the Meikles, I went upstairs and packed. It didn't take too long. It has taken 4 trips to Africa, but I think I've finally learned how to pack properly. I'm not overloaded, but I have plenty. I took my last good bath before going home and then went to bed. I had to get up at 4:45am this morning to check out of the hotel and catch the WHO bus to the airport. I've saved a ton on taxi fees by using the WHO shuttle system, but coming home from work, I'd just as soon have a taxi as go through that sardine experience of having people crammed into a van, most of whom don't wear deodorant. My total bill, which included room, taxes, laundry, and room service amounted to $1700 US, which isn't too bad. It does mean however, I will owe CDC a check to refund some of that money they fronted me to come here. The Wi-Fi I'm using now will be reimbursed, which is nice :)

The flight to Joburg from Harare was nice, as it was on South African Air. They've got nicer aircraft, I've found than traditional carriers like British Air or just about any major American airlines. I know financially, the US Airlines are in a mess, but they should take a clue from South African air as far as comfort goes. I had an exit row, which was nice. There was a guy there who knew me, and I was startled when he called me by name. I can't remember how I know him, but I wonder if he wasn't Amy's old boyfriend. Not the one who's impregnated her, but the one before that who was so young. I didn't engage in conversation, as I was little weirded out (thanks CDC Security Briefing!). We had a decent breakfast on the flight and landed.

So now I find myself in the Joburg International Airport, on their Wi-Fi for at least an hour (my computer won't last two hours, or I would have bought 2 hours of access). It's 11:30am, and I have approximately 8 more hours before my flight to Atlanta takes off. I've already had a more substantial breakfast which should last me, and I've done some shopping. My shoelaces were on the verge of breaking, so I had to buy new ones. They don't exactly match my shoes (original laces were navy, and new ones are black) but they will do. I also bought some South African wine, which will be for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night when I get home and my mom arrives. And I got the requisite "treats" that we are all expected to bring to the office after an international trip.

I'm so glad to be getting back home. I was telling Lisa yesterday on the way home that I enjoy getting out, travelling, and getting to see and know other cultures. But my home is in the USA, and when I'm gone, I miss it. I have roots there, and I am always glad to go back. A lot of people don't seem to have that amoungst our gang that works overseas, and I find that sad.

I have no idea how I'll make it until I get to Atlanta without sleep, but I don't see many opportunities to nod off. I can never get comfortable in these cattle car class seats. And if do sleep, I end up horribly cramped. We'll see how it goes. Coming over here wasn't nearly as long as I had remembered it, so maybe the trip home will be similar.

That closes this chapter of my African treks. Look for a further update of the Ethiopia trip later. Until the next time I find myself in the developing world...ciao!