Update
So where were we in 2008 and where will we be in 2009? Let me try to answer that:
- Well, all of 2008 we were in Ivory Coast, a land famous for pineapples and postponing elections. We've been here over four years now. Me and our two girls (Remi 4 and Niko 6) live in the capital, Abidjan, while Kamiel is living up north in a city called Bouake (former rebel stronghold) and coming down every other weekend.
-The kids love it here, the good weather, the playing in the garden and the communal pool. They go to a little 'private' school down the road where they follow a mixed French Ivorian system amongst loads of Ivoirians and a handful of Lebanese kids. This school is better than the public system which is always on strike anyway (since public servant's salaries are paid rather haphazardly). It is of course not as good as a school back in Belgium because over here they're rather fond of 'corporal punishments' but so far our girls still seem quite alive and kicking. The only weird thing is that we now have kids that are more familiar with French than Dutch - the little one in fact hardly speaks a word of Dutch...
-As for work, I’m still happy with my job at the UN radio where I am in charge of programming and therefore can make sure that we broadcast interesting programs on health, education, culture etc.
-As for Kamiel's job, he's still doing logistics for the blue helmets up north - making sure they have their tents, air conditioners, toilets etc. Of course, after nearly five years this gets rather repetitive. Also, he's not too happy with being away from his women all week, but despite all that, he seems to have a rather busy social live up there, interspiced with lots of sports as he became a tennis addict and, guess what, is now even into aerobics! (though not yet wearing those leopard tights).
-So meanwhile we're still here. I guess in 2009 we just have to make sure that Niko -our little Mother Theresa- does not hand out all her toys, clothes and our TV and other furniture to the poor, and that Remi, our comedian, does not fool us too much. Right now she sometimes pretends to lose her voice for a day and speaks in sign language only, and other jokes like that.
Apart from that, I hope Kamiel keeps improving his backhand. That way we'll be around Ivory Coast for another year, I guess, though nothing is ever sure here and we're always open for new horizons.
Voila, we hope you are well and wish you good health and prosperity in each and every way.
Much love from the Belgians
Griet, Kamiel, Niko and Remi
- Well, all of 2008 we were in Ivory Coast, a land famous for pineapples and postponing elections. We've been here over four years now. Me and our two girls (Remi 4 and Niko 6) live in the capital, Abidjan, while Kamiel is living up north in a city called Bouake (former rebel stronghold) and coming down every other weekend.
-The kids love it here, the good weather, the playing in the garden and the communal pool. They go to a little 'private' school down the road where they follow a mixed French Ivorian system amongst loads of Ivoirians and a handful of Lebanese kids. This school is better than the public system which is always on strike anyway (since public servant's salaries are paid rather haphazardly). It is of course not as good as a school back in Belgium because over here they're rather fond of 'corporal punishments' but so far our girls still seem quite alive and kicking. The only weird thing is that we now have kids that are more familiar with French than Dutch - the little one in fact hardly speaks a word of Dutch...
-As for work, I’m still happy with my job at the UN radio where I am in charge of programming and therefore can make sure that we broadcast interesting programs on health, education, culture etc.
-As for Kamiel's job, he's still doing logistics for the blue helmets up north - making sure they have their tents, air conditioners, toilets etc. Of course, after nearly five years this gets rather repetitive. Also, he's not too happy with being away from his women all week, but despite all that, he seems to have a rather busy social live up there, interspiced with lots of sports as he became a tennis addict and, guess what, is now even into aerobics! (though not yet wearing those leopard tights).
-So meanwhile we're still here. I guess in 2009 we just have to make sure that Niko -our little Mother Theresa- does not hand out all her toys, clothes and our TV and other furniture to the poor, and that Remi, our comedian, does not fool us too much. Right now she sometimes pretends to lose her voice for a day and speaks in sign language only, and other jokes like that.
Apart from that, I hope Kamiel keeps improving his backhand. That way we'll be around Ivory Coast for another year, I guess, though nothing is ever sure here and we're always open for new horizons.
Voila, we hope you are well and wish you good health and prosperity in each and every way.
Much love from the Belgians
Griet, Kamiel, Niko and Remi
posted by Griet at 11:44 AM
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