Blogs from Lubumbashi, South, Congo Democratic Republic, Africa

“I was born lost and take no pleasure in being found.” – Steinbeck Everyone I had met or read about told me that crossing the 2500km route southbound through the DRC would be either too dangerous, due to regional conflict and corrupt officials, or simply impossible, due to bad roads and lack of vehicles. Walking came to mind as a possible solution to the latter problem, but then I met a military major who had walked the entire route from Lubumbashi to Kinshasa (at the time Mobutu was chased from power); It had taken him seven months. In order to cross the country in time with my one-month visa, I would either need a miracle, or a flight (southbound via Angola was ruled out after a quick glance at their visa procedure). Needless to say flying ... read more

OOOOOOOOOK Trip to Lubumbashi yesterday ... Where to start? The beginning ... obvious. The night of February 1st 2010 ... just finished a delightful conversation with my younger brother Thom ... set my alarm for 5:00am ... it’s after 11 when I finally put my head on the pillow. Wake up to the alarm ... what seems like seconds later ... snoooooze button saves lives ... or at least mornings. Finally drag myself out of my small bed ... with an outlet under it ... at about 5:30 ... make coffee ... spray on deodorant ... brush the teeth ... find a relatively clean shirt ... organize documents for travel ... and we’re off. As we begin our walk towards the bus stop the rain also decides to begin ... we duck into our favourite shop ... read more

I stand corrected. Told ya I'm only human. Thanks Cath. Friends and family you need to check out this website by my nephew and Godson Dan Baxter. Kreepy dolls are some of the most creative, wonderful and weird stuff you will ever see. I highly recommend as a gift to children of all ages. He's won awards at the Three Rivers Arts Festival and has shown in galleries in New York. His studio is in Brooklyn. He will soon have plenty of new fabric...from AFRICA! ............................................................................................................. OK, so today's encouraging promise has again been dashed by the promise again of tomorrow (kesho in Swahili). The passport office says the passport have arrived, but they will not be here until 11 PM. (?) There has got to be something lost in translation, but the bottom line is ... read more

Hello all. I am well...very hot and sticky today. Temps in the nineties with zero humidity. Still sweating the duust here in Congo is remarkable. I saw Hilary Clinton on CNN this morning. She was quite miffed at the mistranslation. This is a typical thing here. He instaed of she his not hers him not her. Patience is a virtue. I have been experiencing these translation miscues for six weeks now. Conversations in the darkness. Have read all comments and suggestions. Thank you all. Keep em coming. Gang at Caremark...I LOVE YOU. Thanks for checking in on me. I am really sory about the dearth of photos but youshould se this keyboard. I am at the University of Lubumbashi. It is quite hot in this room. But I have the window seat. HA. I wait still ... read more

Hello friends and family. There still to date has been NO PASSPORT ISSUED. Rachel please stop telling people a passport has been issued. I forgive you. Pastor Maloba says Pastor Zilly says the docs have been sent from Kamina. HALLELUJAH. Seeing is believing. I have read all blog entries comments and such. Thank you all. However no email. Stephanie Moore I was just thinking about you and the straight and narrow sermon you gave. I pray you and family are well. Everyone at CVS Caremark...keep em coming. I can not wait to GET BACK TO WORK. Never thought I would say that. But it is true. DEW...I miss you too. Hello LSUMC. You did not know my woman is an acrobat? So today I went to the pasport offfice to have a new PP attempted but ... read more