During his first year as an international employee of Royal Dutch Shell, Hans van den Houten was sent to Congo Léopoldville, for his first assignment. The Congo was a country in turmoil and Hans’ experience during this time is vividly described in this story of his “One Year in Africa”. This memoir captures a time and sense of place and highlights continuing issues with the post-colonial world. He retired in October, 2005 and lives partly in Bend, Oregon and Almelo, the Netherlands.