Calling it Close

On Tuesday, M was invited to speak at a water conference being at the
United Nations' Economic Commission to Africa. He was also leaving back
to Japan that evening on the 7:30 flight to Dubai, so the 5:30 start
time for his presentation was really calling it close. However, he
explained to the people arranging that particular event that he'd have
only 30 minutes or so and then have to exit early. When we arrived at
the ECA, we had to wait about 10 minutes until a person from the English
aid agency, DfID, who was running our event, could come down and vouch
for us, as the security guards were sticking to a strict protocol. The
conference hall was in the back of the compound so we walked past
half-a-dozen large buildings until we reached a curving road that swung
around to the entrance of the hall. Once inside, an international crowd
was milling about, the type you'd expect to see only at a United Nations
venue. After a visit to the ECA cafe, where M and the DfID rep planned
out his speaking schedule, we took a walk around to look at some of the
booths that were set up on the first floor. Finally, at 5:30 we entered
the conference room, which featured a huge oblong table with microphones
and headsets at each seat, and in the center, large, flat-screen
televisions facing all sides so that even the person seated furthest
from the conference host could see the presentation materials. At 5:40,
M gave a quick 7 minute presentation and then took about 4 questions
before we apologized and left for the airport, getting to the car just
at 6 o' clock. He already had his luggage in the car and he sat in the
very back of the Land Cruiser and changed out of his suit as our driver
raced through the streets to the airport. At a stoplight, a few beggars
came up to the car window, as they are apt to do, to hold out their
hands for spare change, although this time I'm sure they were surprised
to see a Japanese man getting dressed in the back. With Dereje's
excellent driving, we made it to the airport by 6:30 and M thew his
luggage onto a cart and raced up the ramp leading to the entrance of the
airport. Later, I received a text message that he had, indeed, made it
in time.