May 4220
Having scheduled a formal visit by Istalian delegates to the Republic of Saridan, the Staatspresident's Office was busy ensuring all security and vthe agenda were in order for the momentous occassion. Istalian colored bunting along with Saridan colored bunting festooned the Herehuis van die Staatspresident (Manor of the Staatspresident), the official residence of the residence of Gijsbert Oosthuizen, Saridan's Head of State, but the melange of colors had crept throughout the city and government buildings. The Grootsaal van die Volksraad (Grand Hall of the Volksraad), the home of the country's legislature, most ministry buildings, and many churches and stores also bloomed a flowery sea of red, white and green tricolour with competing displays of even brighter and proudly displayed orange, green, blue, and white, which proudly displayed the colors representing Saridan's history of the trek, its religious roots, its fertile, green lands, and a commitment to virtue. Normally, a visit by a head of state would not warrant such gaudy fanfare, but Saridan's reconciliation with its former enemies, Istalia, who in apartheid days held savage regimes to account, was important. Not only was it the first time the Saridan government had welcomed an Istalian delegation so willingly in over 20 years, but it was the first time any foreign leader had been seriously entertained and hosted for around 5 years.
The Itinerary was packed with a few required events, but much time was allowed to allow Presidente Marra and his delegation to see the sights and hospitality of the traditional duntrekker culture of Saridan, and its Iftgoeroon minority's rich custom:
•Day One -Reception of Delegation at Piet van Merwerzuider International Airport, outside Koeistad early in the morning (around 06:00 hours). Return to Herehuis van die Staatspresident for brunch meeting with Mark Ruttenius, Minister-President, Joost Steenkamp (Minister of Defense), Michelle van Heerden (Hoofdiplomaat:Chief Diplomat), and Frank deHui (Minister of Trade and Industry). Around 14:00 go to Katedraal van Eleyaheu die Verlosser (Cathedral of Eliyahu the Savior) for a service of goodwill and reconciliation. Free afterwards.
•Day Two - After a casual breakfast, attend Instituut vir Internasionale Betrekkinge (Institute for International Relations) Summit on Global Trade Policy and Peace (12:00), where President Marra will be guest of honor and keynote speaker. a brief lunch will be prepared. 15:00 - visit a typical Saridani coffee plantation in the countryside. 20:00 - banquet in honor of the Istalian Delegation
---
Staatspresident Gijsbert Oosthuizen stood on the tarmac of a specially prepared and heavily secured landing strip at PvMI Airport, with his wife, Filippa Oosthuizen-DeGroot, and his 24 year old son Gijsbert II (His Press Secretary), and his daughter Marta (18) and younger son Gert (15). His daughter was holding a large necklace of colored Ikpi beads and a bouquet of blooming orange, blue, and white flowers for with plentiful greenery for Marra's wife, and his son Gert held a velvet box, whoch held cufflinks bearing the crossed Istalian and Saridaner flags, as well as a bottle of coffee flavored snaaps (a popular Saridaner liquer) for Marra himself. A large banner overhead, attached to the side of the terminal said "Un caloroso benvenuto e benedizioni al nostro buon amico Presidente Marra". Oosthuizen was sweating in the subtropical heat, in spite of his breathable blue linen suit, and straw hat shading his head. His wife wore a patterned dress with a filmy and light shaw, and a broad brimmed straw hat. His elder son was wearing a bow tie and a dark blue suit, warmer than his father's, and a straw hat tilted upwards with the bragadocio of youth. His daughter wore a white dress with a shawl and his little son wore white shorts and a sportcoat with the arms of his school on it, he had class only an hour after the welcome party.
As President Filippe Marra stepped off his plane/helicopter, he was greeted with an old Duntrekker Hymn sung by the Koeistad Universitaat Choir. Staatspresident Oosthuizen walked up to Marra and shook his hand warmly and heartily and said "It is an honor and pleasure to host you and work together". Oosthuizen's wife introduced herself, and the children gave their gifts to Marra