Blogs from Matadi, West, Congo Democratic Republic, Africa

Africa » Congo Democratic Republic » West » Matadi July 16th 2012

Monday July 16 Crossing into our fourteenth country today, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the lovely roads of Angola ended at the border with sandy roads greeting us the minute we crossed. There were several villages that we passed through and then a larger town where adults and children alike asked us for food, water, cigarettes and money. I find myself getting annoyed sometimes but am working on the 'if you don't ask, you don't know' theory. They're not necessarily expecting us to give them anything but if they don't ask, they don't know. For the most part we just wave and when it gets too much, I lie down on the seat so I can't be seen. Hearing them calling is enough to make me feel guilty though. Along the sandy road is remnants ... read more

New clinic being built in a small village

RDC 2

Africa » Congo Democratic Republic » West » Matadi August 29th 2011

G G

23 aout : Je recontacte le chauffeur que j’avais à Lubumbashi en 2006 ainsi qu’un logisticien béninois toujours en RDC cette fois a Kinshasa. Lunch : spaghetti avec sauce tomate et capitaine pane. Le plus gros billet est le 500 FC (francs congolais) ca équivaut a peut prêt a 0.50 $. Mettons que ca fait des piles de billets dans les poches. Ca bas le record de la Gambie ou le plus gros billet équivalait à un 2 $. Souper : sandwiche au bœuf. Croise de nouveau sur la route le cortège du président, il semblerait qu’il conduit par lui-même sa voiture. 24 aout : Petit déjeuner : yaourt et salade de fruit. Plusieurs rencontres, comme d’habitude, dont une vraiment intéressant avec une ONG tenu par une canadienne de Calgary, candidate libérale défaite a Toronto et ... read more

"I find America quite boring"

Africa » Congo Democratic Republic » West » Matadi June 19th 2010

Exercise class at Kimpese

PTJ

I'll include some highlights of our time in Bas Congo. We spent Monday at Kimpese where my brother Glen was born in 1959. We stayed at IME Guest House where the Hospital is located. The Sunsets were amazing and some women invited us to their exercise class on the campus there. On Monday morning I met with Wendy and 2 Congolese Pastors, one who directs the school at Kimpese and another who serves a church with her husband. It was a very helpful time as we shared our similar stories and also the challenges that we face. They knew their Bible so well and taught me some things ! We had dinner at Kapita's home in Kimpese. He was the cook for my family when they lived at Nsona Mpangu. He has no electricity , but ... read more

The base of the Bangu

Africa » Congo Democratic Republic » West » Matadi June 19th 2010

My guides

Congo54

Monday, June 14, 2010 Kimpese While my travel companions did adult things like attend meetings, I decided to hike to the Vampa Falls at the base of a great rock outcropping near Kimpese called Bangu. It looks like a miniature Kili. Most of the water that feeds Kimpese comes from this location. Two guides from the Bible Institute accompanied me to show me the way. My most vivid experience was walking through 10-feet tall Elephant grass that was very course and cut your arms and legs. I had worn shorts and a t-shirt. Enjoy the hike with me.... read more

Who says you can't go home again?

Africa » Congo Democratic Republic » West » Matadi June 19th 2010

Arriving at Nsona Mpangu

Congo54

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Nsona Mpangu As the station where I spent my first four years in the Congo, and where my parents worked for seven years, Nsona Mpangu was probably for me the most anticipated stop on our trip. Of course for my sister Patricia it was seeing where she was born in Sona Bata. We were welcomed by former students warmly. As background, Nsona Mpangu has become an isolated outpost for both geographic and political reasons. It is 35 km. off the main highway and the road is narrow and rutted. As soon as we arrived I headed for our former house, the water tower, and other landmarks I remembered from living at this station. It is no longer a mission station as no missionaries work there. It was amazing to see trees I ... read more

DRC 10-16 July From bad to worse

Africa » Congo Democratic Republic » West » Matadi August 1st 2009

philannie

Leaving the haven of the Catholic mission in Brazzaville ,we set out to the port to enter DRC. The chaos that ensued could only be seen to be believed. There are no photos because to take one is to risk death(literally). After waiting for a couple of hours while loading proceedures continued, we obtained some Congolese Francs to buy snacks and just watched while the ferry was filled and filled and filled until it was so overloaded that no one could move. This ferry is a city- anything could be obtained or sold and all types of humanity was aboard-money changers, sandwich makers,beggars,officials,families and US,a small group of white people. The scene was both exhilarating and terrifing. After 30 minutes the whole process started in reverse at the Kinshasa port and again about 2 hours passed ... read more

DRC: Kinshasa to Matadi

Africa » Congo Democratic Republic » West » Matadi July 22nd 2009

Sunset at Matadi

LuBarnham

We cross the Congo River. Seth is dreading immigration because he has read we may be turned back if we cannot produce an Angolan visa. Why the DRC officials would need proof of our wanting to leave their country is beyond me - the proof will be right there on my face as they scrutinise our passports. It’s not like we want to emigrate. In fact, my heart is full of doom. What the hell are we doing here? I know the troubles of very recent years have been near the Rwanda-DRC border, in Goma, far east of us, but there is something about coming to the DRC for recreational purposes that doesn’t sit well with me. I feel like we’re taking the piss a bit. Like the people here have seen so much, and here ... read more

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