Blog: House Full!

Yush blog has hit the roof following which I have launched the sequel Yush Part II accessible on the right panel of this page or URL http://yush29.blogspot.com Its a continuation of the usual on the life and times - so stick around. It also happens to be my birthday! 29 June. The camp hosted a small surprise party and I tried to masquerade unawares.. but I suspect I got busted coz I unlush the camera I had tucked in as the party set in.. Kimie chan a chief organiser of the party (and a poor liar) lured me with a calculated story on a serious meeting I am supposed to attend... but I read through her sweet lie ha haa.. Was good fun and I genuinely feel like a zaks. You can view the photos on the sequel blog. Thanks to all of you for the e-mails and particularly the phone call. Its time to move on to a new page -- ukurasa mpya.

Stiglitz and Yush

Landed a quiet rare chance with the strategic support of my ''maoist'' compatriot from Nepal to interview the rock star of Economics - Joseph Stiglitz . Of course, begun with an enquiry into his eight months research escapade to Kenya in 1969! (damn! the only historical significant event I could recall in Kenya in 1969 was the population census :-) shame! Lakini, was there anything else? Anyway guys this dude is not just a chop but also a very entertaining and pleasant man.
2001 Alfred Nobel Laureate in Economics

WB Development Conference Opening

Later that nite.. Yush, Hon. Norbert Mao (Gulu District, Uganda), A dude from University of Manchester, Dr. John Okidi (Uganda)
From Left Kisangi (University of Hiroshima), His Excellency Dennis Awori (Kenya Ambassador to Japan), Yush, Ed Karanja (GRIPS Tokyo). Finally bonded with our cool n calm Ambassador. A really easy goin guy.. perhaps it runs in the family from Moody.
Lassaad Lachaal (Egypt/ AfDB), Beatrice Gakuba (Rwanda Flora, Rwanda), Me
Mao is a Ugandan Jatelo - the President of Gulu district Uganda. He really jazzed the conference with comic acts.
With the usual crowd on a break from one of the sessions... Donald Kaberuka (President African Development Bank). Didn't get the chance to vybe him but he sounded like a brilliant easy going dude. Well versed in Mama land affairs and I understand why Kagame picked him for the job.
From left to right: Japanese Minister for Finance Sadakazu Tanigaki, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President World Bank Mr Francois Bourguignon.. and Paul Wolfowitz at the opening of the conference. Thats right, got a close up with Paul Wolfowitz (WB Group President just in case) and two things struck me. 1st: The dude looks like George Bush's twin sibling! He's got that cowboy bravado too. 2nd: I was impressed by his attention to detail in his tribute to a Rwandan woman Beatrice Gakuba (see above) a horticulture businesswoman. I am battling with what to make of him... He unlush some Gringo jokes at the cocktail. Ok..I was tickled big deal. Will keep you posted as I figure out what to make of him.

World Bank Reception

Later that nite.
On the rear view the steel structure is the famous Tokyo Tower.Easy guys! Yush blog has been docile for a while. Its been a hectic couple a-weeks. Quick updates? Life is good and Japan is slowly creeping up on me. I relentlessly bow and blurt out ''sumimasen'' (which implies sorry/ excuse me) at slightest chance. I think you can tell its time to go back home once you begin to apologise over everything under the blue skies like the Japs. I need a bit of rugged Nairobi to grow back my rough edges. Anyway as is my tradition, I think pictures say much more than words... This was at the opening reception of the World Bank Development Economics conference at the 52nd Floor of Mori Tower over the weekend. Was a rare chance to enjoy Tokyo from the skylines at zero cost - very handy for a scrooge like me.

Aikido

Aikido is a form of combat sport like karate, judo etc. Its basically street fighting because rules are limited but the idea behind it is technique and utilising your opponents force. Please be not fooled by body mass the tiniest and oldest herein were the most lethal. Murakami (blurred on my left) is the master and Wan is on my right.

Tsukuba Africa Graduation Barbeque

Beef n Fish..a real African Feast.....
This year two PhDs in GIS and Forestry were added to Africa(Kenya) by Dr. Charles Ndegwa and Dr. Lubanga Makanji (in blue second from right, standing) respectively and another rising star in academics and soccer Fode Ndiaye (Senegal and sadly Arsenal) bagged a bachelors in computer science. The Tsukuba Africa Association hosted a farewell barbeque and the turn out was very good in Tsukuba standards. This photo is easily a line up of the African community in Tsukuba. Dr. Charles (Nigeria), Fode (Senegal), Me, Dr. Charles Ndegwa(Kenya), Dr. Willis(Kenya).

Dinner made in Brazil

Kimie Chan! the expert cook from Brasilia hosted us to a mouth lickin' Brazilian dinner... Niku, cream, mushrooms, pancakes, crabs and of course my coconut delicacy drink... Oishiiiii desu.

Mid Term Exam

World Bank camp on fire. Haa! ha! This shot is worth ichiman yen.
Photo mess opp! right before the macro paper. I have lodged my application for pardon on medical grounds of a rare macro destabilisation syndrome only found in 3k building...
This clandestine shot by Wondy n Hady explains the root cause of the rare effects observed above..

UNU Awards

Standing - Yush, Smee (Australia), Shin (Korea), Ionescu (Romania), Suharto(Indonesia), Fukumoto close of UNU trimester. An evening to savour with an assortment of Japanese food and drinks. Headed to an Izakaya (traditional Japanese pub and restaurants) thereafter in downtown Tokyo.
Prof. Hans van Ginkel (Under Secretary General of the UN and Rector of UNU), Prof. Mori and Yush