Took the bus to DC from Baltimore morning of 9/21/11. Very heavy traffic in the beltway. Dropped my luggage in the Key Bridge Holiday Inn where the Peace Corps Nepal Group 2 was celebrating the Peace Corps Golden. Was invited by Norm's group mates and I was very privileged to be there. From the hotel I went to see my friend Emma Santiago Svec at World Bank then had lunch with another friend, Mel Odilao, Concierge Manager of Four Seasons Georgetown. Walked to the White House after lunch and dropped off some books at the Philippine Embassay for Ambassador Joey Cuisia and Defense Counselor, Gen. Cesar Yano. Then proceeded to Krammer & Afterwords cafe for afternoon tea with Alice Morton, a former colleague in a USAID project. It was in the same cafe that we had lunch with another colleague, Mike Jordan, who died a few months after our meeting in December 2008. After afternoon tea I walked to St. Matthew's Cathedral to catch the evening Mass. Afterwards, my friend, Pilipino Community leader Jon Melegrito picked me up to have dinner at his place with some members of Tanghalang Pilipino, a Pilipino cultural group that I helped co-establish over 25 years ago, when I lived in DC and worked with Norm Bramble at Coverdale Organization.
Friday, Sep.22 was the start of Nepal Group 2's celebration of Peace Corps Golden Anniversary. I was happy to meet the attendees, some of whom I already met during the Peace Corps 25th, when Norm and I hosted them at home on Capitol Hill. We had a productive discussion with Nepal Ambassador to the US, Dr Shankar Sharma. Was particularly interested at Nepal's peace process and agreement with the Maoist insurgents, whose party leaders now lead the nation. The discussion was followed by the observations of US Ambassador to India, Peter Burleigh, which was read because he could not attend. After lunch, there remembrances of departed Group members and mentors. I spoke and shared about Norman Bramble and some others added their memories. I gave the group a copy ot Philippine Peace Corps 50th Anniversary book, where I contributed an article on Peace Corps Volunteers whom I knew and became clse friends with. I had some paragraphs on Norman Bramble, whose picture with Sargent Shriver in Nepal was included. There were also memories of Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver and some other departed staff. In the evening, we had a geat Nepali dhal-bhat dinner at the beautiful residence of Group member, John Franklin. I got a chance to speak with other members whom I had not met yet.
Saturday, Sep.23 I slipped out early to join former Ambassador John Maisto and his wife Nini at their residence and spoke about the currrent political and cultural developments in the Philippines. Gave him a copy of the Ateneo 150th anniversary book Agenda of Hope, where I co-wrote a piece on democracy and the Philippine military. When I returned to the Peace Corps event, there was a slide presentation of pictures about the group in Nepal during their service assignments. Included was the picture of Norman and Sarge Shriver.
The following discussion focused on Quo Vadis Nepal Group 2. Very emotional and touching sharings which led me to affirm the great bonding, caring and love among the group members. It was agreed that the Group would get together again after 3 years, in 2014 in the Bay area.
I did not join the group's Potomac River cruise in the afternoon and I bade all a fond and huggy farewell. I went off to attend the Peace Corps reunion of NANEAP Region, where Norman also served some years. Was happy to meet Jody Olsen, former Peace Corps Deputy Director, and Norm's colleagues: John Keeton, Ron and Tonda Gillespie, Michael Mercil and Sam Thewlis, Hank Lacy. The food included African and Indian Subcontinent dishes.
After the NANEAP event, I walked to Chinatown and was awed by all the changes and developments since I left DC in 1990. I sipped some brewed coffee at Chinatown Coffee before anticipated Sunday Mass at very old St. Mary's Church. After Mass, I had a noodle snack at Li Ho Food at the corner of 5th & H Sts., which was one of our favorite whole in the wall with Norm. The place has stayed the same all these years.
Tired and happy at my whirlwind visit to DC where the weather changed from rainy to sunny, I took the bus back to Baltimore at 7:30pm to spend the nite at St. Veronica Parish Rectory, where Fr. Don Fest SSJ is the pastor (twice around). After picking me up at the bus station we had a great dinner at Nick's Seafood Restaurant. I rested afterwards so that I could be awake early to catch the Sunday early flite to Salt Lake City.
Am so grateful that God allowed me to make this quick, productive and valuable visit.
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