Holiday Party in Luanda

Christmas comes at summer time in Luanda like all other places in the southern hemisphere. We had our company’s first ever Christmas Party in Luanda Saturday night. It was at the Avalade Hotel. Several buildings in the area were illuminated with Christmas lights. Some streets had Christmas lights hanging from the lamp posts. Everything was set up at Avalade hotel for our party like at any other big hotel. There was even an upright piano in where the dinner tables were set up. Around eighty people showed up. The Angolan employees trickled in with their spouse, fiancé, boy friend, girl friend following usual Angolan practice i.e. not on time. They were dressed beautifully. People talked, hugged and kissed, cameras flashed, wine was served, and I think everyone had a good time. Food was good. Then a few people, as recommended by me, were recognized by our Company President who had arrived Saturday morning from Houston. It made everyone happy to see when Quintas (with his Sister in the picture) was recognized for the “Most significant contribution to multi-cultural understanding”. Quintas does everything for everyone with a smile and we probably won’t function very well without him. It was not a very good day for Quintas as his wife’s uncle died yesterday morning at 42. Quintas still came to fulfil his duty and he was pleasantly surprised by this recognition. I am sure his wife would have been proud to see him receive the certificate.