Elevator Pitch
As I was returning from the Kwanza and walking into my hotel I hopped on an elevator with an older gentleman from Britain. He took one look at me, with my guitar, disheveled hair, and bare feet (I lost my sandals when the tide came in) and the following conversation ensued…
Man: So, I see you spend the day at the beach [sarcastic tone].
Me: Yes. How did you spend your day?
Man: Working in Torres Atlântico (BP’s office building in Luanda). You have to when 140 men depend on you.
Me: What about yourself?
Man: [grunts and gets off on his floor]
I see these men every day while in BP’s hotel. They are rotaters. Basically they come in for 4 weeks, do their job, and go back to their home country for another 4 weeks. 4 weeks later, they return to Angola to make their ubsurd salary and return home. The are called rotaters because they rotate from Angola to home, home to Angola, Angola to home… every 3 to 4 weeks. But they also rotate while in Angola, from hotel to work, work to hotel, hotel to work. They never see anything more than two buildings and maybe a few restaurants that have english menus.
I will never be like these men. It is not that I don’t appreciate hard work and dedication. I am sure their work is invaluable to BP. And this is not to say all rotaters follow this simple schedule. There are plenty of rotaters who try to experience more. But the fact remains, many people from the US, Britain, and China are here for one thing – money. The sad fact is that they are missing out on something infinitely more valuable – an amazing experience.
Maybe I am wrong. I am young (relatively). The man in the elevator was old (relatively). But how would you rather spend your days? In an office building making sure 140 people are doing what they are already trained to do? Or with you friends here…
Beach on the other side of the mouth of Rio Kwanza
Boating
Guess who?
