Early Bird Chat

The First Family step from Air Force One upon their arrival for their vacation in Honolulu, in Hawaii December 20

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MoooOOOooorning everyone! Okay, I think yesterday was the first day since forever that I didn’t get near my computing machine, having told UT that my worky thing would be over afternoon-ish and I’d be back then 😳

So, a gazillion gazillion gazillion thank yous to the legend for all the wonderful posts yesterday – and for even posting my Early Bird Chat when I was AWOL.

You. Are. The. Best.

Happy Saturday everyone, soooooo thrilled the First Family are in Hawaii.

Chat Away

…. arriving at Cape Cod Coast Guard Station

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….. greeting Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass

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No worries, the furry fella’s on vacation too….

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@FLOTUS Join the First Lady & help @NatGeo reach a Guinness World Record for the largest #animal photo album

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Chat away!

The Weekend – and Week – Ahead

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Mkoana-Mashabne after arriving at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, South Africa

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Saturday

South African times first (six hours ahead of Washington DC)

9:45 AM (3:45 AM ET): The President and First Lady participate in an official arrival ceremony, Union Building, Pretoria

10:0 AM (4:0 AM ET)  The President holds bilateral meetings with President Zuma

11:05 AM (5:05 AM ET): Holds a joint press conference with President Zuma

3:35 PM (9:35 AM ET): Takes part in a Young African Leaders Initiative Town Hall, University of Johannesburg – Soweto

5:55 PM (11:55 AM ET): Meets with African Union Chairwoman Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

8:05 (2:05 PM ET): The President and First Lady attend an official state dinner with President Zuma, Union Building, Pretoria

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On Saturday afternoon in Johannesburg, the First Lady will host a conversation with youth, organized in conjunction with MTV Base, an African youth and music TV channel, and Google+. The First Lady will be joined by teenagers from across South Africa, as well as students joining virtually in cities around the U.S. via Google+ Hangouts, including in L.A., Kansas City, New York City, and Houston

Watch this event live: WH.gov/FLOTUSinAfrica & the White House Google+ page

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Sunday

South African times first (six hours ahead of Washington DC)

9:45 AM (3:45 AM ET): The President and First Family depart Johannesburg

11:45 AM (5:45 AM ET): Arrive Cape Town

2:20 PM (8:20 AM ET): The First Family tour Robben Island

4:20 PM (10:20 AM ET): The President tours the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre with Archbishop Desmond Tutu

6:15 PM (12:15 PM ET): The President delivers remarks at the University of Cape Town

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The Week Ahead:

Monday: The President and the First Family will travel to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, where they will be hosted by President Jakaya Kikwete and First Lady Salma Kikwete. The President will participate in a CEO roundtable and will attend a formal state dinner in the evening. The President and the First Family will remain overnight in Tanzania.

Tuesday: The President will attend a meet and greet with U.S. Embassy personnel. He will then participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the 1998 Embassy Bombing Memorial. Later that morning, he will witness a “Soccket” Ball demonstration at the Ubungo Plaza – Symbion Power Plant.  Following the demonstration, he will tour the plant and deliver remarks. In the afternoon, the First Family will depart Tanzania en route Washington, DC.

Wednesday: The President has no public events scheduled.

Thursday: The President and the First Lady will celebrate the Fourth of July by hosting military heroes and their families for an Independence Day celebration with a barbeque, concert and a view of fireworks on the South Lawn.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: The President and First Family will be at Camp David. On Sunday, they will return to Washington, DC.

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See all posts on the visit to Africa here

Hello South Africa

The First Family arrive in South Africa, June 28

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Saturday – President Obama:

* On Saturday morning, President Obama takes part in a formal arrival ceremony in Pretoria

* Participates in a bilateral meeting and joint press conference with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa

* Holds a town hall for Young African Leaders at University of Johannesburg – Soweto Campus

* Participates in a joint Embassy and Consulate meet and greet

* Meets with African Union Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

* President Obama and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa participate in an official dinner

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Saturday – The First Lady:

* The President and First Lady will visit Pretoria where the First Lady will meet with Mrs. Tobeka S. Zuma, First Lady of South Africa

* Later in the afternoon in Johannesburg, the First Lady will host a conversation with youth, organized in conjunction with MTV Base, an African youth and music TV channel, and Google+. The First Lady will be joined by teenagers from across South Africa, as well as students joining virtually in cities around the U.S. via Google+ Hangouts, including in L.A., Kansas City, New York City, and Houston

* Watch this event live: WH.gov/FLOTUSinAfrica & the White House Google+ page

* In the evening, the First Lady will join the President for a dinner hosted by President Zuma

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Full Africa schedule at WH.gov

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For all posts on the Africa visit, see here – ‘Senegal: The Day in Images’ here and this morning’s Rise and Shine here

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More later

Willkommen!

The limousine carrying President Obama and his family drives by the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin where he will deliver a speech tomorrow (9:0 AM ET)

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President Obama and the First Lady chat with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle after arriving at Tegel airport in Berlin

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Thank you LovelyPlains for the extra and highly gorgeous pics.

’til next time

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama board Air Force One at the airport in Dublin en route to London. Obama was forced to leave Ireland a day ahead of schedule to fly to London as a cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano drifted towards Britain

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama step off Air Force One as they arrive at London’s Stansted Airport

Thanks TeamObama

she’s arrived!

Arrive magazine

Thank you Hachikō!

afternoon, el salvador

a warm chile welcome

Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama to Santiago, Chile

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, stand with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and his wife Cecilia Morel, during the arrival ceremony at La Moneda Palace in Santiago

First ladies Michelle Obama and Cecilia Morel walk together in La Moneda government palace

ola

President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha during their airport arrival at Brasilia Air Base, Brazil, Saturday, March 19