Since november 27 the Worldbank evaluation of ‘our’
project is ongoing, till today December 6. Robert is still in the ‘wrapping-up’
meeting. I say ‘our’ since I got quite
involved in its ups and downs.
Together with the Swiss, who carry out a
complementary part of this project (but have their own financing and are
therefore not dependent on the Uzb government) Robert and the WB representative
went on fieldtrip, from 28 november till late afternoon Saturday 1 december, to
see the progress. And there was progress! Robert got a compliment from the WB that
despite the difficult situation, (like f.e. the employees not having been paid
by Uzb govt. for 6 months), there were actually some rehabilitation works being carried
out very well. Rob said in a speech toasting with wodka, which is the custom
here: "my name (as a project manager) is
on all the billboards at the projects, and I can be proud of it, since there is
excellent work being done by the local contractor !" 
Meanwhile, it is beautiful weather here, yesterday up to 16degrees celsius and sunshine all the time, lovely!
The weekend was a very social one for me. Amongst others I went, with Lili, to the International women's Christmas bazaar in a hotel which I couldn't find at first. They sold the most beautiful things, but very expensive, so we only bought some small presents.
From Monday 3 till Wednesday 5
the French director and projectmanager of the French company joined the
evaluation, also to discuss with the WB and the Uzb directors how the project
should continue, in view of the problems that need to be solved, with differing
views on who is to pay from what budgets. The same problems as in June
actually, and since they had not been solved then, nor in september, they were
the reason then for Robert to announce his retirement from the job, with a three
months notice. And that is why we go home now before Christmas.
The negotiations went on for 3 days, with ups and downs, late
lunches and even later homecomings, resulting in what seems a collapse of the
project on Wednesday afternoon. What a disillusion, since there actually seemed to be an opportunity to continue.
the party setting!
Meanwhile, Axelle (Roberts assistant team leader) had put a lot of time and effort in organising an appreciative party,
on behalf of the French company, for all the project members to connect and to
‘celebrate’ the international cooperation, on that particular Wednesday evening!
So while in the Netherlands Sinterklaas was visiting homes and giving away
presents, poems and suprises, we had a surprise party too.
The
idea was that all present for the WB evaluation could join, so about 50 people
came. It was a beautiful setting, which Axelle and I had found after a lot of
research among Tashkent city’s restaurant. The food was great! The mood was
not festive, but we didn’t let it spoil our evening, so we danced and
laughed a lot. I even had purchased a special dress for the occasion, with Axelle
of course, in the Aloyski bazaar, and overcame for once my embarrassment to wear
a short dress. It actually was quite a success!
Today (6/12), I spent almost the whole day in
the post office to have my extra luggage sent home. What a shame, since it was
16 degrees outside, lovely weather, sunshine!. I even had to go to customs to
get their authorization to send the felt
embroidered seat covers that I brought form Kyrgyzstan! The problem here is that
every government employee is so scared to make a mistake that he wants guarantees form higher up. Anyway, it is
worth it! I now don’t have to pay excess
luggage at the airport!
This will most probably be my last blog from
Uzbekistan, since I will be traveling home to Renkum on Sunday December 16. Robert
will follow on the 22d. Next newses will be from Home-in Holland. Untill then!
