Departure and First Impressions
For those of you that are a little less fluent in French, here is a summary of our first postings in French and an extra picture.
With our luggage packed and the keys of our house handed over to Marc’s sister Maïté (with a “few” of the building tasks still to be completed), we were treated to a house (not) warming & farewell party organised by friends and family. The purpose of the party was also to thank all those that helped us after the fire of our home some 34 months ago. Thanks to all for organising and attending, we loved it!
We arrived in Kinshasa after a comfortable flight, but unfortunately with only one of our dogs, as the airline did not allowed us to take two large dogs on the flight. At the last minute we found a new home for Cachou, who now lives with our good friend Martine in Switzerland.
Makkala seems to have endured the trip to Congo remarkably well and does not mind the massive temperature difference at all. In our first few days here, besides having dinner with people we met on the plane, who have been here for the past 30 years, Marc has been thrown in the deep end of work and Marie-Claude went around town, with Marc’s driver (a charming old gentleman “Charles”) to find out where to find food and other basic products that we will have to order “on line” once we are on the plantation in Mapangu.
Based on these tours in the city, Marie-Claude has decided that she will definitely not drive herself here, as traffic is chaotic after Singapore, the UK and Belgium. Traffic jams are in a different league from what we know.
Temporarily we live in the previous General Manager’s largely empty villa on the Congo river, but it is far too big for the two of us and since we will only come to Kinshasa for short visits, going forward we will look for a small flat or stay in a hotel room.
Voilà, so much for this posting.
Warm regards,
Marc & Marie-Claude
One reply on “6 February – English version”
Our dearest Marc, Marie-Claude and Makkala of course,
We will not be the only ones reading your blog to offer up our sincerest thanks for the trouble you have gone to in committing yourself to keeping friends informed. As if your day is not full enough in, having been dropped in at the deep end of the plantation pool, “learning to swim the hard way”.
Marc, it is time to exploit your more than capable methodical mind and unique talent of prioritizing.
With such a world class chef (that is cooking not managing – in English!) your belly will always be full with an added bonus she is also your cell mate on this adventure. I guess all the planets have lined up especially to wish you both well.
Our life in New Zealand is pedestrian in comparison, bringing on a great envy of you both. Being in the right place at the right time makes for some of life’s greatest personal adventures of which you are now both living. New Zealand is such a tiny place with such opportunity on a similar scale.
Our hearts and kindest wishes are with you always
Gros bisous de Novelle Zealande
Bruce & Caroline Le Gros