Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo
a.k.a. DR Congo, DRC, RDC or formerly as Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, The Congo, Congo-Leopoldville, Congo-Kinshasa, and Zaire

Saturday, May 17, 2008

1 is NOT the loneliest number…..

Amidst concerns of my impending solitude, I will tell you I have not spent one single meal alone. I have made friends with everyone here involved in the study, won over many of the locals by delivering promised goods, and have a gaggle of kids following me to and from work everyday saying “goody morning” and giving me high-fives, and the occasional “give me money” (my personal favorite as I imagine Rylyn will be saying that soon!)

I traveled to the river to go fishing (What, you thought I’d pass up the opportunity to fish in the Congo?!) and produced nothing but a snagged line and a new group of fishing buddies (see picture). There is an ingenious hydroelectric water wheel in the river which feeds the hospital and a very questionable but sturdy bridge along the way. After our failed outing, we decided to go to the source, the Artesian well where everyone gets their fresh water. After a long hot day, we retired to the house where 2 ice cold beers were delivered; nothing I’ve had has tasted sweeter!

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