Storms in Africa

I just downloaded the Enya “Watermarks” collection from iTunes. Track # 4: Storms in Africa.

The funny thing is, we’ve had this CD at home for years and not once did I realize the name of this song. And then, a zillion kilometers from home, tada, I find the perfect soundtrack for the beginning of the rainy season (ahem, summer) at my other home, in Angola.

I haven’t written in a while (4 months). Think I got so caught up with life, that I started giving less importance to the moments. I know, bad. So let me make it up to you.

From my window, I see a papaya tree so dry that I’ve started seriously doubting its fertility. The dirt that lines the paved road is red and sandy. The baobab trees are straining for water. There’s a vanilla-scented candle burning in my office, and my IPhone is pleasantly quiet.

Last night for dinner I made a delicious osso buco, which unfortunately had very little “buco.” I bring this up because to my shocking surprise, there IS osso buco in ANGOLA! Other delicacies that have started hitting the shelves include: parmesan cheese, asparagus, soy milk (different flavors, even), more wine from Chile, different shapes of Barilla pasta, and an aisle FILLED with Mars bars and their buddies. Luis likes chocolate. Unfortunately, several other yummy items are still stuck at the port in huge containers…pizza, hearts of palm, spinach…you know, the usual. I´ve been blessed that tea has never failed…thanks to the little packages I receive from New York every so often…ok, I cheat a bit.

News of the YEAR: Internet connection has finally gone up to 4MB! Oh yes. Which MEANS, Naama is on internet much much more (without the massive amounts of frustration that used to follow “signing in”). Which MEANS, Naama has become addicted to Mafia Wars on Facebook, Time.com and FT.com…and LOVES the recent news that the model and actress, Xenia Siamas, has joined Palms for Life Fund as Ambassador of its global alliance to end hunger and poverty. Lovin´it…

It’s raining now…and I can just FEEL the papaya tree smiling.