Going.....Going......GONE!!

I’ve spent the last 3 days sitting in a hotel in Kinshasa, reflecting on what an amazing experience the previous six weeks has been. Realizing I’ve been able to go places, meet people, and do things most will never do (especially in my job), and for that, I feel truly fortunate. The last week in Kole had ended so abruptly, I barely realized it was over as I observed the lush expanse of dense tropical foliage pass from ten thousand feet above. As my final few days closed in, the people I had lived and worked with for the last month and a half had stopped me at every chance to say ‘good bye’ and ‘thank you’ though the pleasure was definitely all mine. We had exchanged gifts after the other crew arrived with supplies from the states and though I think they felt the same, I believe I received undeservedly greater endowments. Most of my time was spent getting my two proxies exposed to the duties and routines and I felt like I was neglecting my social responsibilities.

The lab staff had pulled me aside and took turns delivering sentiments that made leaving all that more cheerless but made me more grateful to have been out here. I felt like a veteran of the Congo as the new arrivals looked on in disbelief at some of the things that I first marveled at, and still do. I caught myself saying trite phrases like ‘oh yeah, it does that all the time’ and ‘yeah, you’ll see a lot of that’ or, my favorite…’good question!’ Some things just defied explanation…

e.g. “Where does that go?” referring to a mysterious 6 inch pipe in the center courtyard of the hospital, down which EVERYTHING is dumped….EVERYTHING!!!

Some things out here are better left unrequited; you might regret finding the answer!

On the lighter side, we had a rep from the pharma company, Doug, who came out. He was very cool and we hung out most of the time and discussed all manner of issues. He got to go to a ‘Fisherman’s Festival’ at the river and observe demonstrations of different fishing techniques. Then, they motioned to him to go haul a line out of the water, which, on the other end, was attached a crocodile! I was very envious after seeing the pictures. Here less than a week and gets to reel in a crock! Not fair…..

We made a few stops on the way back to Kinshasa. One was to pick up a couple of ailing Swedish Missionaries who were in a very remote village and delivered them to an adjacent parish for care. Then we had to stop and refuel, lest we hike the remainder of the journey.

On a note of personal growth (or sheer stupidity) I have noticed a HUGE difference in my demeanor on my return to the Memling Hotel. I felt relaxed walking the streets downtown and going into the shops and stores, having picked up a decent amount of language and exposure of the culture. I can say I NEVER would have done that when I was here that first night. I debated even coming out of my room for food. Now, I have been walking around, eating at the local cantinas and bickering with street merchants. We have been out working in the counterpart to USAMRIID here waiting for our flight and when we were short a vehicle to return to our hotel, we commandeered a WHO (World Health Organization) truck. Didn’t think they’d miss it for a few hours. I decided I’d have a better vantage point if I rode back in the bed of the pick-up. I will say there aren’t many cowboy hat sporting white guys here, so I drew a little attention. Doug said I looked like the spitting image movie stereotype of an undercover CIA agent trying to ‘blend in’. Obviously not so covert if I looked like that, but no worries.

I’ll be back home in about 48 hours, and I’m already scheming for my second tour.