Boxing to Nairobi and Back to Boxing

So, since my last post I have had quite a few adventures, yes indeed. On the 7th, the Shark Club had their matches. It was quite entertaining. Andre and Johnny were kind enough to escort me to the matches so I wouldn't have to go by myself. I had asked Coach what time to arrive so that we would not be early. Well, even with that we were the first to arrive. I for the life of me cannot seem to get on Congolese time. The problem with early arrival, sitting in the sweat factory, and hanging with the fellas? - yes the beer. After all it is much better to have a frosty cold one to assist with forgetting that your dress is completely soaked through - thank god for black! Andre was a bit under the weather so Johnny and I dropped him home. Usually I drop Andre at a main taxi location close to his house so that I can find my way home, his orders. But, Johnny and I were insistent that we drop him home. Oh yes, we got lost! Approximately 100 km worth of driving. Poor Andre! He had to find a friend with a car and come and find us and deliver us at our next location. So, as a result, Johnny and I treated Andre and his friend Carlos to their first ever Indian food taste test on the following Sunday.

Once we found our way back, we met up with some other colleagues to listen to some live music. The fun just continues and continues. Coach arrived with a friend from the Shark Club and it was Johnny, Sam, Coach and I who were still at the restaurant when the chairs were being packed up. 5am - I am getting to old to live on Congolese time!

On the 10th I flew to Kenya. The accounting office there was having a retreat at a location about 2 hours outside of Nairobi, Lake Naivasha. It was a long but productive week. On the Friday we returned to Nairobi and I was treated to a 2-hour massage again. My little bit of heaven then continued on Saturday when my friend Lisa delivered me to John for some hair magic! I am so happy to have had my hair cut and the grey recovered!! And a mani pedi too. It can't get any better than that.

On Sunday, I was again the traveler of misfortune. I got bumped from my flight but finally made it back to Kinshasa on Monday with a full work day to follow. Rising at 2:00 Kin time and working through to after 5pm is a bit of a haul and I feel like I have been in agony all week.

On Tuesday I had the good fortune of the arrival of all of household effects!!!!!!!!!! I have now finally been reunited with my stuff from San Diego and all my shopping online can come to a stop with the arrival of all my costco purchases too. My house is a disaster and I can't seem to find the time to organize myself. Luckily Jackie was here all week helping to at least rid the house of all the boxes and packing materials and to take care of all the food and kitchen stuff. But alas, I have to host a compound pot luck this coming Friday and it is not looking good for having guests right now.

On Thursday, Andre and Michel and I went to a concert at the German Embassy. One of the local churches has an accomplished orchestra and choir. They played many of the classics and it was a nice change of musical pace from hip hop and african beats.

Last night the fun continued and again back to Congolese time. Coach showed me a nature recreation area about 20 km outside of Kinshasa. It was a nice park area for picnics and short walks. You can walk down to the river. It was my first time to really see the river up close and personal. We often walk along the river here in town, but you walk up above the river. It was interesting for several reasons. As you walk down from the park to the river you pass through a rock quarry where people are sitting breaking up the rocks by hand. It looks like back-breaking work and it is somewhat uncomfortable to be taking a casual stroll through while such hard work is underway.

Then when you get down to the river, the next observations occur. You arrive to come and appreciate the river and then see lines of people washing their clothes and bathing. I really felt like I was imposing on them. The river itself is amazing! At this stretch it is quite wide and the water is flowing rapid style. With the rain season here, the water level is rising.

On our way back to town I had the pleasure of being stuck in traffic but at least unlike the traffic jam heading out of town I did not have to restroom. Yes, I toileted Congolese style on the way out cause a girl has got to do what a girl has got to do!

Let's see. We finally got back to town by 9pm and headed out to join the girls for dinner along with his friend Sam. Then we parted ways with another fun dinner of french fries and went to a local club. It was definitely a hang out for the young Congolese but it was good to listen to music and the weather was actually quite nice. Then, no the evening doesn't stop there. We then rejoin the ladies at the Grand Hotel's night club for some more dancing. And yes, I arrive home once again at 5am.

I have a busy week ahead and am busy trying to finalize a large project that kicks off tomorrow. But, never a dull moment.

Well, time to go slather some more calamine lotion on - I got eaten alive again last night and am covered in very itchy bites.