Water outages and visit blues

So you've got a major visit going... what's the worst that can happen?

How about having about 90% of the homes in your housing pool go without water.  Yeah, this is what happened today as we've got a Cabinet level visit to Johannesburg.  Talk about a good start!

This happens to us about once every two to three weeks.  I wake up, make tea and coffee for my lovely wife and I, and then watch as the water pressure SLOWLY starts to drop.  Soon, none of the faucets work, and we're stuck without a shower for the day.  Got to admit, place always smells a little nicer that day as everyone is wearing cologne or perfume, but it does get a bit overpowering.  And you just feel gross.

Luckily for me the hotel that the delegation is staying in has a water supply separate from the city water.  Otherwise, very upset group.

In a bit of kismet, though, the group that just lowered our hardship differential from 10% to 5% was in town for this massive water outage.  (It's also affecting Pretoria, 45 miles away.)  So, they are getting to see that maybe they jumped to a bit of a conclusion about this place.

As for the visit, the Secretary (but not State's Secretary) arrived an hour early.  This lead to much running around and moving of vehicles to accommodate her.  One of the advance learned a good lesson, which is don't hand a passport to someone who may look like they know what they're doing, as you might lose it.  (He got it back, but it took some doing.)  So between me re-arranging vehicles like I was moving place settings at a dinner party, and then sprinting to help load the luggage for the rest of the traveling crew, it was a busy day.  Tomorrow I get to get up early and travel to the airport and do it all again in reverse.  FUN!

Things I've learned from this trip:

1) You'll never get the credit if you're a Management Officer.  It's your job.
2) It's easier to just take over a visit from another section's head, as you'll do the work anyways.
3) As difficult as it is, don't punch anyone.  No matter how much they deserve it.  (I didn't punch anyone.)

To be honest, though, this visit has been quite good.  The people visiting are great, and the principal is very nice as well.  Stress just makes me grumpy.  Then again, being hungry does the same thing, so it's not a difficult state for me to achieve.