Dispatch from Africa:
Hotel De La Paix
Lome, Togo
Feb, 11, 1976
Caroline,
Greetings from Togo, a sliver of a country located between Ghana and Benin! Apologies for not writing sooner. I hope all is well back home. Our flight from Paris, was delayed, resulting in us missing our connection in Dakar. Instead of waiting three days for an another Air France flight, we were re-booked on Air Afrique, (West Africa’s own airline). It was most impressive. The plane was new, and the service was top notch, all making for really pleasant flight. At present, we are in Togo's bustling capital, Lome, a big port city, situated directly on the gulf of Guinea. Enormous Palm trees extend all along the entire coastline. Like most cities, it bustles with activity, and a lot of traffic. The country has roughly 40 ethnic groups, but the main ones are the Ewe, Kabiye and Grouma. Togo is right on the equator, and the heat is oppressive. Fortunately, I’ve discovered the local beer, Castel, which helps keep you cool.
Our accommodations are rather luxurious. Delphine booked us at the Hotel De La Paix, Lome’s newest and very modern hotel. Its unique design stands out in a sea of colonial buildings. It has all the same amenities you would find in the west. There is even a casino, with blackjack and roulette tables, and a disco. The staff is quick to point out that Togo’s President, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, attended the hotel’s grand opening. Most of the guests are either French or German. There seems to be an abundance of Air France personnel as well. Earlier today, while at the pool, I struck up a conversation with a nice older gentlemen who turned out to work for Standard Oil in NY. (Oil business is quite big here) It turns out he played football at Princeton. Small world. (No, he didn’t know Frank)
It’s truly amazing to be here with Delphine, and not just because she is my de-facto translator. Ever since we arrived, she’s been immersed in her meetings with various officials, ministers, etc. She is quite determined to see that construction of her clinic starts before the end of the year. Seeing all of this just makes me love her even more. During the day, while she attends meetings, I’ve been taking the opportunity to wander around the city. The influence of the French is everywhere. I’ve learned a new word that aptly describes this unique sphere of influence, “Françafrique”. Despite all the poverty, there seems to be real sense of hope for prosperity in the future. Time will tell. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the Fetish market where they have all sorts of animal skins and bones used in voodoo ceremonies. 1/3 of the population are animists. I’ll try to find something interesting to bring you. We have another week in Togo then we venture to Ghana…
That’s all for now, more to follow...
You loving brother,
Charles