Anyhow, I have had some interesting experiences to add to the folly for this week. Where to start????
1. Driving - I have now become a Congolese driver. Rest assured that if you were scared of my driving in the US you will die of fear from my newest skills. I am equating the experience to a game of Frogger. I have taken to the Congolese way of dealing with the following problems:
a. Car blocking the intersection? Not a problem swerve to the next lane and if needed drive down the wrong side of the road.
b. Hard to make a left hand turn because of traffic in both ways? Who cares, pull out and drive into oncoming traffic until someone lets you over.
c. Have a mass of pedestrians crossing? Not to worry give the hand gesture and speed up or if you are feeling nice down shift and gently keep rolling through the walkway.
d. Have a menacing street vendor not allowing your passenger to close the door? Just start driving! They will give up eventually.
e. Have the children begging for food and threatening to lie down in the front of your car? Just put it in reverse or roll forward. Either way, they are out of your way.
f. And lastly, if you observe the police hassling people ahead and trying to enter cars. Just change lanes to be as far away as possible until the traffic starts again.
As of today my driving is now over since our friend arrived yesterday who was loaning us a car. But I am ready when either my car arrives or I get an Embassy car to drive.
2. Dining - we went to the Country Club for dinner last Friday. It was quite an expense for a very elegant evening. There is a gem of rich living here for a change of pace from the mayhem.
3. Pollution - with this being the dry season and several months with no rains the air quality is less than stellar. On Saturday, I was designated to be one of the booth hands for the USAID 50th Anniversary booth at the fair. Oooooweeee it was dusty. So, as of Sunday my lungs have plunged into distress. But, the nice ladies at the Medical Unit kindly provided some tests and a new steroid inhaler and while I am still having issues today, I am on the road to recovery.
4. Toilets - are optional. A few days ago on my way to the office I notice that one fellow decided to enter the bottom of a police building and take a whiz right there.
5. Flag ceremony - not optional! I have never witnessed something so eerie. At 7:30 and 18:00, the country flags are raised and lowered. The other day on the way to the office, the traffic came to a stop. But it wasn't just the traffic. People who normally would be crossing the street dogging the cars are at dead stop, statue like in the middle of a lane in the road. No conversations. No movements whatsoever! The offense for disrespecting the flag ceremony is punishable by jail time (or in a hefty fine).
As for work, I am sure of you can only imagine. I am on my normal turbo speed doing 3 things at once. Needless to say I think I have raised a few eyebrows!
I am off to Kenya next week for meetings. I will get to see my good friend Lisa which will be fun to catch up!
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