OCEAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

October 27 Sunday: Up late. Had my suit ironed by the chamber maid for $ 2.- After breakfast, I bought some textbooks and read till noon. I then walked past the White House and other nearby stately buildings.

Visited some of the Smithsonian galleries, including ethnology and mineralogy. Saw the famous Hope diamond! Back outside I enjoyed the fine weather, the Reflecting Pool and the many fresh imprints of fallen leaves in the pavement.

Walked on through the town, surprised to find that its population was mainly black, accounting for the pleasant and relaxed mood. Cheeseburger and milkshake at 16:00, back at motel tired at 17:00 where I rested till 19:00 when Francois picked me up. He took me to his home and introduced me to his charming and artistic Indian wife, who had a pronounced British accent. We had an enjoyable evening with excellent food, fine conversation and slideshow of S.A. slides taken by Bascom.

October 28: Was first to arrive in office. Read through S.A. files, opened account, lunched with Bob Miranda, then long talk with Larry Brundred. Expense account $ 16/day. Walked the DuPont Circle neigborhood and had a hamburger dinner, followed by some beers in the Red Slipper. Back to motel by 23:00.

October 29: After a morning in the office, Francois loaned me his VW to pick up my luggage, including the two golddiver jets. At 1530 we said our goodbyes and took a taxi to the airport. We first flew to New York, where I was charged $ 200 for overweight. Next came the flight to Dakar and lots of talking with Francois.

October 30: Dakar in the early morning was already soggy and warm, flat, and giving off that strong African smell. The women wore very attractive colorfull dresses. Short flight to Liberia, tried to locate old Bangkok roommate Rudi Klerekoper via KLM faxes, but he failed to show up at Accra - seems he is in Abidjan. Followed flight to Leopoldville (Kinshasa before 1881 and after 1966) and the sluggish river I used to favor when I first found out about Tarzan. Bought some souvenirs here before the final stretch to Johannesburg, where we arrived after midnight.

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