Saturday night

Big treat for wild Saturday night in Luanda.  Went with a couple other expats to pizza and beer.  Best thing I had in a while. 

Far different than the staff house meals. 

But we got a good crew and stories at dinner. 

Upgrade

Sunday BBQ is back on at staff house Luanda - at least every so often. 

Major upgrade to BBQ.  It's all we got.  Good group of about 7 guys provides good laughs.  

More Realities

A bit more education. 

Angola: Yellow fever outbreak

An outbreak of yellow fever is underway in the town of Viana, in the province of Luanda. Since early December, over 20 people have been infected, with several fatalities. The Ministry of Health will hold a vaccination campaign in the affected area. Yellow fever risk is persistently present in Angola. The viral disease is transmitted by mosquito bites. Symptoms range from a mild flu-like illness to a severe haemorrhagic fever with liver failure. There is no treatment. About half of all serious cases are fatal.

Life realities.

I receive weekly news updates of things going on in Angola.  It's always interesting to see what the Nationals deal with. 

A couple examples: 

 

Africa currency crises spark diverging Central Bank stances     

An oil-triggered crisis in Africa has its biggest economies taking opposite approaches on monetary policy. Angola

and other African countries are set to announce their first interest-rate decisions of the year this week.

Bloomberg

Banks with historic lows of dollars

According to the National Bank of Angola (BNA), the sale of foreign currency to Angolan commercial banking continues to

reach all-time lows. The sale of foreign currency amounted to $55.5 million last week, 70% less than the previous week.

Diario de Noticias

Strategic Plan for yellow fever control launched

The Provincial Government of Luanda is meeting with social partners to present the strategic plan for control and eradication of

yellow fever, which has been spreading through Luanda since December 2015.

Angop

A bit of peace in the jungle

Week in Cabinda.  Got a few good walks in at least.  Enjoying some nature. 

Domingo

One of the few times I have gone out in Luanda.  Nice open place to eat. Food was good, on the water, good company and a nice change. 

Hitch 9-10?

5 January begins 2016 hitches. Smooth enough on day one with too much to do. 

Cool morning view as began our descent. 

Art

I like these wall paintings that sum up a story of  life past here.  

Offshore FPSO

Week in the operations and camp keeps me busy. 

Visited two offshore rigs today, one was a floating production storage offloading vessel.  A huge ship basically that on, offloads, stores and processes product.  

Lots of stairs. 

Beauty in the concrete

Sometimes have to stop and appreciate the random glimpses of nature in the busy developing city. 

Sunday short lived tradition at staff house.

There are about 6 rotating expats at the Luanda staff house. One brought a little BBQ and every Sunday they BBQ.  There are some markets that some decent meat can be bought.  

Today was my first.   Good steaks but we got rained out so went in the mess hall.  

It's short lived because the cook is leaving in December.  Most us rotators will be leaving in the coming months it appears.   

As good as it gets for sure.  

Winter nights

Malongo nights of lights.  

Only fast food option

There at be some local fast food type offerings in Angola but the only true fast food that has been allowed here or has been able to survive is the Kernel.  

Rainy Season

Seems to be the rainy season for the next several months.  The standard scene from my office.  I was going to go to other building but had no way to cross the street.  Slowly but surely the infrastructure develops. 

November Hitch

Mosquitos are in full breed since rains have been more frequent; getting warmer as summer approaches; saw more military with new gear on ride in; and next week marks 40 years independence for Angola so it's a local holiday.  

Back to work and production.  

Days bleed together and nights emerge in serenity.

From malongo camp to city of Luanda. 

Workforce health

As a company we do so much for workforce and community health. Event today focused on cardiovascular health.  

Great dance demonstration included. 

In the works and how it works

A national colleague told me the city would not function without the blue vans that shuttle people all over the city and suburbs. They are all over. One guy drives and another runs along getting people to get in their can. Not sure what the charge is. 

Lots of public works projects occurring. They are trying to improve roads, park space and infrastructure. Lots of road and sidewalk work I have seen lately. They try. 

We support a lot in Angola

Chevron has supported and offered resources for a long time in Angola. 

Been here 60 years. 

It's pretty impressive what we do in other countries to help the development of the community we operate in. 

Our ambulance in Luanda 

We used to have a coffin program for employees and I think we still do. To support safe and hygiene of handling the deceased. I came across some at our warehouse the other day. 

Holiday Angola.

Thursday is a national holiday here in Angola. Something about the founder I believe.  But I guess sometimes the government just decides some other days are holidays too.    

The government sent a note out that Friday is now a national holiday too and employers must give their employees the day off.    Kind of one of the Thursday Friday combo days off I guess. 

So I get an extra long weekend in the office by myself to get a lot done.  

Well the government says its a day off work so all must comply or be in noncompliance with the labor laws.  

Cabinda- Luanda scenes

Quick trip to Malongo.  

Cabinda province is different. Not as built up, much greener, more rain, less resources but lots more oil offshore. 

They do have a football stadium though. 

And back to Luanda. 

There is a beach area of sorts on the ilia.