Sunday Special

I am in the office today (Sunday) – unscheduled, unplanned. As I opened my eyes this morning I realized there was no electricity at the house – even the emergency generator did not come on. As I came down, one other guy commented – “How are we supposed to take a shower?” I am in-charge and now I am the country manager. So, it must be my fault that there is no power. It is Luanda – electricity comes and goes as it pleases.

I fooled around with the generator and it refused to start. Reluctantly I called Quintas (Sunday is his day off). He came and tried out the battery from the SUV w/ no luck. It just won’t crank. As he was calling a mechanic, I decided to go for my usual run hoping that power would be back when I got back. I got back totally soaked from sweat. Quintas informed that the mechanic was at Sunday church, got to wait. Meanwhile he said that he needed money to buy diesel, oil, etc. for the generator. He brought me to the office in my wet, running shorts and top so that I could give him some cash from our petty cash in the safe.

Then I thought - why not take a shower in the bath room in the office. Yes, as the Country manager I have a private bath room w/ a shower attached to my office – I guess that’s a little privilege for all the stuff I have to put up with. Unfortunately I left my office key at my staff house. I went back to get the key, took a shower, had my first cup of tea at 10:30 AM w/ couple slices of toasts (courtesy of one of the co-workers). I already missed my Sunday once-a-week leisurely breakfast w/ omelette. Some expats are going to Belas (they say it’s like going back to civilization – I have not had time to make it yet) today.

Now I am at the computer wondering what else is waiting for me on this day. I know the folks at the house are not going to be happy today. They are hardly ever happy. The other day someone brought me a broken table lamp from his room. I got a new one for him. When I asked if he had received his lamp, instead of thanking, he stated that it was ugly. Sometimes I wonder if these are spoiled grown up kids whose expectations keep going higher and higher as we do more and more. I agree things are less than ideal here. I too get tired sometimes from such slow moving progress, but I think I have adapted fairly well. Others know that they just need to point out the problem and they are done. Resolution of the problem is all mine. So, I do my best without losing my cool. On the positive side, last night some of these expats complimented me for trying to take care of things in the last few weeks since I took over as the Country Manager. I thanked them stating that I was trying, but I had limitations. Life goes on. It could be a lot worse. TIA!