Safe and sound in Conakry...

As I feared it, the customs officer, who insisted to keep my passport, did not accept my title of visa. I did insist, as the local office had indicated to me, on my right of entry and the fact that I could not leave my passport. Eventually, the program assistant negotiated with them and my passport was directly transferred to the immigration office. I expect to recuperate it this morning.

The 2 other auditors are arriving at the end of the morning today. I am at the office, but we cannot begin the audit without them, as one is the head of mission.

So my colleague and I are just at the office and spending time getting ready for the audit, which is good since we're both newbies. I have Docs to read and emails to write, so it's actually convenient. We are getting along well, which returns the thing a strong sympathetic nerve.

My hotel is very correct. There is indeed a kitchenette in the room, which does have air conditioner. Besides, it’s actually roomy. Over the last night, we had 4 power failures. When electricity returns, the AC doesn’t restart by itself, so eventually, one is woken up by heat and humidity. The climate is rather oppressive.

Guineans are very nice. The office is large, a little empty, and especially impeccable. Every office is air-conditioned. Conakry, for the little that I saw some for the moment, seems to me very poor, much less developed that Dakar, and especially, awfully wet. I would hesitate to leave fruits on a kitchen counter in such humidity. The vegetation is of a superb green, and abounds everywhere, on the wall, the trees. All is green! What a change from Sahel!

The Beaver


My guest map is wonderful ! And you'd all be wonderful to post, all of you lurk mode readers!
Thanks and may the winds of Fate blow your way !