An African childhood. Part 2*

En route to the Islands of Los, off the coast of Conakry, Guinea, West Africa, c.1960. Far left, my mother. Centre, Mme Lips, with her braided hair down to her… I remember she had very long hair for the time. Far right, Dominique and Claude Millet, who much later, would be my host family in…

Women of excellence

First woman to obtain a Baccalauréat (French Senior High School diploma): Julie Daubié (1824-1874). She obtained her Baccalauréat in 1861. She was also the first woman in France to earn a B.A. in Literature, in 1871, at a time La Sorbonne was not open to women. Catherine Brewer was the first American woman to earn…

My Lord Buddha and the elephant

“What is your name, my son?” “My name is Philip, my Lord. Man calls me Tembo, the elephant.” “Where do you come from, my son Philip? You do not look like your cousins from here.” “I was born in Tsavo my Lord Buddha. In what Man calls Africa. My family was born here for thousands…

An unexpected trip. The end

Previously on “An unexpected trip”: my mother Renée has joined the French Air Force at the end of WWII. A captain orders her on a mysterious mission. They are to board a military plane, taking off from Paris, destination unknown. “And you took off?” I asked. “Just like that?” “Just like that.” My mother said.…

An unexpected trip

The photograph came in the post. In a manila envelope, with a note from my brother: “Here’s a picture of the family star. You’ve probably seen it before. I had it enlarged. Ask her the story behind it. I hope it lifts her spirits. Hugs. Richard.” My brother’s handwriting was as bad as usual. But…

1944. Liberation of Paris. The end

Previously on “Liberation”: the gallant crew of TSS Equinox has gone back in time to Paris, August 1944, in search of the Captain’s uncle Gérard Leclerc who participated in the fighting to liberate Paris. Above: two high-ranking German officers are taken prisoners. The private driving the Jeep seems to be asking: “Where to now, General?”.…