TIA!

I really don't like to be negative. Most of all, I don't like to talk about Africa this way, especially all that it has experienced, will always be compared to the Western World. And, especially since I am living in Africa. BUT, there are somedays, when I cannot stop myself from saying "This is Africa......" Days like, yesterday, when our generator, that is supposed to generate power to our home, just blows up and catches alight. mmmmm I then wonder........

It was about 7pm, and the guards came running to tell Paul, as we were saying goodbye to some guests who had come over for tea. He immediately ran to fetch the fire extinguisher, and then put out the flames, on failing which would've blown up 120litres of diesel, not too mention the 80litres of diesel in the tank of the car as well. So for 12 hours we had no electricity. It has now resumed, but who knows for how long, and how long will it take the maintenance guy to replace the old one. At times I ask myself only one question ? What am I doing here.... that topic I will cover another day as I know we have a purpose to fill here....

RALLY to Zongo Falls

On Saturday morning at 9am we left Kinshasa on a rally that was to be an experience of a lifetime. There were about 40 cars on an organised off-road ralley sponsored by Castel Beer. When I talk about off-road I not only mean off the normal road, but off the beaten track, and into a whole new world beyond the borders of the towns. Tiny villages with children, dogs and goats in the middle of nowhere. Most of the huts were made of clay, and no electricity, running water and the convenience of anything remote to modern day. You could've easily been on a time warp back in time about 100 years or more. There were only tire tracks, no roads on a 4x4 dream world. Our Toyota Prado, slid over every wide canyon crack, every sandbank, every hole or mud trench like a boat takes to water. On our first day I was quite shocked at the co-pilot's ( moi) list of interpreting every route on a given route map sketched out in tiny drawings with the odd French word for "Careful steep accent" etc. Each section was about about 4km with 90km for the first stretch and then another 60km towards the end . Wow, I never worked so hard on a long journey being a passenger as that. I thoroughly enjoyed being in more control though than the driver. My very own driver was my husband the " Camel Man". Huge Congratulations on winning the overall trophy. Babes, I never knew you could handle a steering wheel and low four gears the way you did! And your organisation skills were superb as there you were helping a fellow contestant who got stuck in the mud behind us. Tow rope, wellington boots and 2 way radios all organised by yourself. On arrival at Zongo Falls, we had to take the shower that "nature" had organised for us, it was the most energising shower I have had since our arrival in Kinshasa. Wow, what a powerful spray! The Frenchies with their "douche" gel, and all. We set up tent with about 10 friends, all French speaking, except for us and Abby, our American friend, who co-piloted for Moose, our friend that travelled most of the way with us. We had fun that night, with an organised buffet, and partying and dancing coming mostly from our site, until midnight. The air was still warm, however, but cooler than Kinshasa. The next morning, we were up and raring to go, only the Europeans seem to do everything after 9am, which is unfortunate as that set the time back for our arrival back home at about 6:30pm which is after dark here. Along route we stopped at a beautiful botanical garden for lunch, and then went on to see an amazing African sunset. We were so tired on arrival and ready for a clean up, I had mud all over my shoes from stepping out the car to witness the car in front of us overturn, and then some locals helped them get the car back on it's 4 wheels, amazingly no-one was hurt, and the car was unscathed too. We we never stayed for the results which came out at about 11pm. We came 25th overall, which I think is not bad at all for our first ever rally. We shall return next year, South African spirit and all.

Congolese Day!

Thank goodness that we finally have a public holiday in the Congo tomorrow. I assume it's Congolese Day, as we were asked to dress the children in traditional clothes for school today. I must say it was a very vibrant atmosphere when I dropped Torden off this morning. Tiny tots as well as the older children all dressed up in brightly coloured outfits. I will post a picture tomorrow. The Congo is known for it's bright waxed sealed cotton fabric, and is definitely exclusive to this country. West Africa definitely has a different type of fabric and the colours are not as bright. The women wear tight fitting long skirts with matching blouses that usually has a long cuff or a frill. Most expats, as well as myself have had an outfit or two made, just to wear to an event or just for fun. The Congolese take great pride in their appearances, all women no matter how poor, will always have a piece of material either tied in a sarong or in a dress, usually beautifully clothed from head to toe. Well it's been a busy week, and still haven't managed to get to the Golf Club. I have a date tomorrow with a friend who knows how to play, but not sure if I will make it as I did something weird to my lower back. There is no chiropractor in Kinshasa, so will have to get someone to try to click my back. You know that one, where you stand back to back with someone, and they lift you up with the arms. I wonder if it will work with Paul....

Today I....

Today I am happy...

because I started my day with my most successful Lesson Francaise to date, I have been at it for 2 months now, and have yet to construct a French sentence until now.

C'est bon! Hats off to Monsier Jean-Pierre, our tutor, whose patience and persistance is paying off.

Today I am at peace...

with the universe and what is unfolding for me. I started my first meditation at home with 2 interested parties, there will be more next week, as the interest spreads.

My subject chosen revolved around the following poem. It is unknown who wrote it.

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste.

And remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may becomevain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesserpersons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;for the world is full of trickery.

But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals and everywherelife is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love;

for on the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass,

Take kindly to counsel of the years, gracefully surrenderingthe things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune,

But do not distress yourself with imaginings, many fears areborn of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees or stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe isunfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be,

And whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams.

It is still a beautiful world.Be cheerful, strive to be happy.

Today I ate...

bran muffins for breakfast. This is the last of my ready-mix Snowflake mixture that I bought on my previous shopping trip in South Africa.

Today I drank...

Lipton's Lemon Ice Tea. I found it on special, would usually pay around double that. ( $4) The fact is even if tried, I would not be able to find it again in the shop. Will have to make my own.

Today I played...

card games with my son. We had fun while I massaged him with almond oil, after his afternoon swim. He hasn't allowed me to massage him since he was about 2 years old. I am hoping it will help with the scars from his chicken-pox.

Today I wish..

that all the little lonely children of the world receive a distant hug. x

May you all have a blessed week ahead!

Mort

Most of you can make out what the French word " Mort" means. Derived from mortuary, hence the word in English "Death". I had to actually look the word up this morning in my French/English Dictionary. Our driver has been off work for 2 days, we had a replacement driver, so everything appeared to be normal around here. Although, we really don't like the change, the reason being, Lepauld, our chaffeur ( as he likes to be called), is the best out of all the Maersk drivers, and there are about 10 of them. We were first to be assigned to him ( not vice versa), as we are the priveleged folk. I can't explain, but we clicked, not right away, but gradually. The first day, Paul, said he needed a new driver as he doesn't like the fact that he can't speak a word of English. Only to discover, most of them, can't speak English. Lepauld just has fewer English words in his vocabulary. This has actually become an advantage, as I practise my French with him, and he corrects me most of the time.
Lepauld manages to get out of any traffic situation, using back roads, side roads and using the Prado to the limit. He was also an ex military driver, and has retired thereof. At age 50, he is rather fit, and extremely cautious, acts like our bodyguard! He is almost part of the family, and as a driver, gets to know quite a lot about us, as he spends most of his time with us in the car, doing our day to day things.
I was very sad to hear that his little 3 year old daughter had passed away on Tuesday, and only heard about it this morning upon his return to work. She was in hospital with an illness that we are yet to find out about. This is not an abnormal situation for parents of children under 5 years of age to be in. I just can't understand, and probably never will, how little children just slip away in a poverty stricken country, where basic medical care is not a human right! And boy, it should be!

International Women's Club

Yesterday was my first meeting of the International Women's club. As these associations operate all over the world, I felt in sync with other women that are in the same situation, as well as with women across the world that are visitors in the country in which they currently preside. I am a foreigner, and it feels strange, as it should. I know that there are many foreigners living in Kinshasa, but it still feels as though you are the small percentage that are fortunate enough to drive in a chaffeur driven car, as though you have loads of money! When your car drives slow enough for little children, and other passengers to peer at you through you car window. When these little boys, ( no girls),ask for money, you often hand over some "flip-flops" ( what we call the local Congo francs)

Back to the Women's Club. We pay a fee to join the club, and have events througout the year to raise money for charity. Next week, the club, is handing over benches, that was made through the money that was raised last year, to an Art School for children. So a good cause and very necessary for a country that has little or no support from the government. There are also social gatherings, French reading classes and outings throughout each month. I found it most interesting to meet up with people, like the Japanese Ambassador's wife, a lecturer in English from Massachusets, a Dutch expat, a Peruvian expat, an old Belgian women looking for a Bridge partner etc. We had an exhibition of tie-dye products from a local women, coffee and croissants at the Memling Hotel. One thing that surprised me, is that the Chairwoman, expected us to dig into our pockets that she thought was very deep filled with lots of dollars several times, like pay S20 for shop bought necklaces that was made in China for charity, $10 or more for the charity box, $100 per person tickets to a dance to support a school, buying the tie-dye products on sale( yes very nice products), but it could end up being a very expensive morning. Sorry, I would love to support everyone, but have to still feed my family in this very expensive city!

Normality!

Back to normal as most folks would say. What is it actually? Routines, schedule, getting on with your life. After Kim's departure, and being out of routine, I am going to be doing a few new things, one of them is, reading or studying a new book that is on Oprah's book club, A New Earth - by Eckhart Tolle. His previous book, The Power of Now, was excellent, so looking forward to this one. My new motto in life, is not going to be looking into the future, or dabbling on about my past(a few fond memories are nice to keep). I will try, and I know it's going to be difficult, to live in the present moment. So I have set aside a newish schedule, typed up a list of things that I will doing with my free time. Yes I do have lots of time, but still don't get all the things I always plan to do, done in a week.

A few words about my past 2 weeks. Kim, I loved having you here, discovering all the new places we found in Kinshasa, and just enjoying the time with you. Our time together, and especially time spent with Torden, was more valued. It just shows, that being in a different place, at a different time, seems to being out more special moments. May you return to us anytime, wherever we may be....

This afternoon, we are going to another birthday party for a little 2 year old boy from South Africa. He has already had cerebral malaria, was also evacuated to SA in February, but is doing well.
I'm off to collect Torden from school and en route can't wait to listen to my ipod with new downloaded music.

Some pics from Kim's itinerary!