June Arrival - Mbi ga awe

 I arrive in Bangui after 30 years away.  Central African Republic's international airport is much more organized than back in the day.  The city seen from the airport transport van looks like the bustling capital of memory.  But curfew will start soon.  Electricity will cease as well.  Safety on the streets is not assured, and walks to the market or the restaurant-shacks along the Oubangui river are not permitted.

The warm welcome, generosity and good humor of my Central African hosts is as remembered.  The mangbele (chikouang in Congo), unobtainable even in African grocery stores in the US, and the best 15 cent shoeshine on the planet are nice.  My medical non-governmental organization's orientation along with handover from my pediatrician predecessor will allow for 4 days in Bangui and ample time to resuscitate my Sango vocabulary.

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 3, 2022 at 9:03 AM

    This is beautiful and fascinating Jeff. Please continue to blog. Lisa and Victor

    ReplyDelete

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