atravelynn

With so many people heading to Rwanda and Tanzania, you may want to keep your eyes open (or avert them) as you choose.

In addition, he'll be in Ghana, Liberia, and Benin. So will Fist Laday Laura Bush. Just read that in the newspaper.

I once saw President Clinton's helicopter in Yellowstone.

Here's what some Mombo folks told me: When President Clinton visited Africa, Botswana was one of the stops and his people wanted to rent out all of Mombo for him and his entourage.

The guests scheduled during the time of Clinton's planned visit were contacted and offered a desriable enough alternative that most agreed to change or reschedule--except for one foursome. They were two couples celebrating 25th Anniversaries and had planned for years to be at Mombo for the big milestone. The incentive grew to something ridiculous, but the two couples held fast. (I was never told just what the incentives were.)

Ultimately plans for Mombo were scrapped and Clinton went to Chobe. (I still remember that try as they might, they could not find him a lion.)

When asked if part of their refusal to change plans was because they were staunch Republicans, the couples said they were actually Democrats who had voted for Clinton both times. But they weren't about to disrupt their anniversary plans for anything or anyone. That says a lot about Mombo's productiveness during the mid 90s.

Back to Bush. I'm sure somebody will come up with something clever like: A Bush in the bush is worth...

So here's a question: What would it take for you to reschedule a 3-night Mombo stay?

For me, I'd give up Mombo for 3 free nights at another Wilderness camp of my choosing. Then I'd want 3 free nights at Mombo or another camp of my choice, with the offer good for 3 years. In essence 6 free nights. But that deal would only be worthwhile if you would be heading to Africa anyway and planning on buying the airline ticket.

scootr29

Hopefully he gets to see first hand what the billions of dollars the US sends to Africa is actually doing. 48.3 billion dollars in the last 10 years have been given to Africa from the US. Another 30 billion over the next 5 years.....this is just to fight AIDs....Billions of more dollars go to Malaria Aid, Business Aid, Investment Aid, Educational Aid, etc etc.


I hope he has fun and realizes what a special country it is.

Scott

HariS

Lynn,

What's he going to do there? doesn't he have enough work to do at home to sort out the entire current mess?

About 10 days ago, when i flew thru Dubai ...... the whole place was at a standstill due to his visit. Throw in the unexpected rains and the city/airport etc etc., was a complete mess.

Hari

cary999

Timer is set to see how long it takes to turn this into political digs of Bush bashing, the arrogant USA, Global Warming, etc. tick... tick... tick... tick...

regards - tom

atravelynn

Hari,

That means you are home. Hope to learn all about your family's trip when you are settled.

I have no idea what will go on with Bush over there as he rarely consults me. In fact I don't think he has ever consulted me.

I hope there isn't too much disruption for regular visitors, some on a once in a lifetime trip.

Once I was very delayed leaving Ngorongoro when Tanzania's president was visiting and roads were closed. I got to see his car but the windows were tinted, so no glimpse of him.

Tom, My double misspelling of First Lady was not the first political dig. Just an innocent goof up on my part. Besides, I have nothing against her. Oops, that's getting closer to a dig.

The political fights are in The Lounge. I leave those threads and the recipes alone over there.

cary999

Lynn- I hadn't even noticed your misspellings. And the subject is legitimate for this forum. If people will kindly leave it at that. I never visit the Lounge either.

regards - tom

matnikstym

Yes, I hope that he doesn't disrupt too many people there. When our bags were stolen from Chongwe (then found), the First Lady of Zambia was opening a school somewhere up the Zambezi River. We were waiting in Lusaka for our bags to get there when the First Lady's entourage decided to take the Airwaves plane sightseeing. We waited 6 hours for them to have their fun, missing all connections to Livingstone other than a taxi, which we took. Hope GWB and Laura have a good time...maybe they'll post on Fodor's after the elections.

sniktawk

Scootr29

Africa is a continent not a country!

If you want to find the aid look in the politicians pockets or the weapon stirage areas.

HariS

Hi Lynn,

Yes, very much home ..... thanks.

Hari

amolkarnik

Ohh Dear? Is the village idiot on his send-off tour?

Oil? I see Liberia, Benin and Ghana on this list.

What would get me out of Mombo (or for that matter any other lodge) for Bush? Nothing. The sheer joy of being a thorn in his side in unparalleled.

scootr29

Mistake noted...

scootr29

It took just over 24 hours to turn this thread into a Bush bashing.

Snik I know where my aid is going...

sandi

Considering the fact that Bush had rarely (never) been outside the States before taking office, probably feels he needs photos for his future presidential library - "see where I've been"

atravelynn

Though I still don't know who they were or where they were from, some "dignitaries" grabbed a scheduled international flight that I was on one time from the tarmac in Maun moments before we all were to board. All of us peasants ended up being stranded, some for one night, others for longer.

CarlaM

He and Arnold flew over my house today in a VERY low flying helicopter.

AlexisK

Hey everybody. it's been awhile since I posted. I've been lost in Safari book publishing land. I see the light though. Anyway, saw this thread and thought I'd add my two cents. When I was leaving Tanzania in October we met a rather large gathering at the airport in Dar. We could hear the singing and the commotion from the Coastal airport. When we got out at the Dar airport there were people every where and lots of police. The singing was loud and joyous. There was dancing and banners. Turns out the Tanzania president was coming. Luckily he didn't disrupt any of our flights. But it was so neat to witness something like that. I'll never forget it.

safarichat

Maybe Bush can bring some power to the bush. I am in Kruger right now and we had a 3 hour power outage.
I still wonder where all the money is going.