Handel's Messiah at Washington National Cathedral

What a way to start the holiday season, to hear Handel's Messiah performed by an outstanding orchestra and chorus in Washington's National Cathedral!  Spectacular concert in a marvelous venue with good friends from Albuquerque, Kathy and Bob.   We sat in the North Balcony just above the music.   The Hallelujah Chorus gave us goosebumps, it was sooooo good.  Merry Christmas!!!

Ninety on November 6

LTC (ret) Robert E. Campbell
November 6, 1926-October 11, 2010

Dad would have been ninety today.  Born in 1926, he paid close attention to dates and events.  His memory of them was uncanny.  He could tell you instantly when he joined the military (on D-Day), when he saw MacArthur in the Philippines, when he was in charge of logistics for the San Francisco visits of Nikita Khrushchev and Charles de Gaulle, when we landed in Europe in 1961 (the day the Berlin Wall went up), when he lost fellow soldiers in Vietnam, when he and business partner were the copy shop for a kid named Bill Gates and his start-up company Micro-Soft, and countless other dates and events that spanned his interesting and important life of service.

He kept a set of pocket-sized datebooks, in which he made a daily entry, so he could also recite important days and events in the life of our family . . . our comings and goings, celebrations, and important events.  The photo here was taken ten years ago today, on his 80th birthday, when his family dedicated a bench to him at the Veterans Memorial Park in Albuquerque.

Today, the anniversary of his 90th birthday, would have been a red letter day in his datebook.  For we who love him, it still is.  Happy birthday, Daddy!  

Crocodile Feeding Time

At Antasibe Park in Madagascar, I witnessed 40 crocodiles at their weekly feeding time! Very hungry animals with powerful jaws.  A powerful and disturbing sight.   All resemblances to U.S. Presidential Debates are simply coincidental.  (Now aren't you glad that's over?)

Coming "Home" to Mauritius

Pieter Both Mountain: a unique Mauritian landscape

Just spent a delightful week in the place that was "home" for us just a few years ago---the beautiful country of Mauritius!

Saw old friends, and savored the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations of this wonderful place.  Missing only Shelly and Bailey, who were asked about at every stop!

Dinner with Patrice and Pratima Cure

Friends Christian and family

Our former infinity pool and Indian Ocean

Selfie with Meeta

Favorite Mauritian meal: Briyani

Denon and Meeta: a visit with good friends

Young Mauritian Leader Nawsheen

Friends for years:  Rashard Bundhoo

U.S. Charge d'Affaires and the Mauritius President

Inspecting a U.S. solar company installation

Trou aux Biches beach

Going SCUBA diving with Omi

Port Louis from the hotel

U.S. Envoys Visit Union of the Comoros

   

U.S. Diplomats meet Comoros Minister of Justice

Part of my diplomatic work is to communicate with the U.S. Embassies and to get to know the local issues in several African countries.  I spent a couple days this week in the Union of the Comoros, an Indian Ocean island nation of just under a million people.  Met with the Ministers of Justice and Education, and the national Human Rights Commission.  The prior week, one of my bosses and I met with the President of Comoros.  Here's an Islamic Republic that is very favorable to the U.S.  It is also a very poor country with many challenges.  The people could not have been nicer, and I am pleased to say we have a very successful new Peace Corps program teaching English there.  Have I mentioned that I love my job??

Mobile vendor sells from a wheelbarrow

Comorian gentlemen hanging out

Prepping the nets for a day of fishing

They pay attention to the U.S.!! Get a load of this boat's name!

Main Mosque in the capital, Moroni

Comoros national TV and the Human Rights Commission Chair

I did the interview all in my rusty French!

Visited a great community development program

Meeting with the Minister of Education