It is dusty in the dry season. Yesterday the dust was so deep in the air that looking across the lake, you couldn’t see the horizon. It was blue water that faded to white that spread up out into blue sky, but there was no line, there was no border.
I haven’t seen the volcano glowing red in months.
The end of this month marks the 50th anniversary of DRC independence. Our office shuts for a week and we will be in lock-down in our house for two days. A handful of my friends will be gone to the beach or in ancient European cities, not to return until after I've left. I will be packing, packing, packing and taking my little boat out into Lake Kivu several last times.
About Me
- Rachel
- If I told you what organization I work for, which I'm not going to do, then I would also let you know that all opinions expressed here are strictly my own, which they are.
4 comments:
Hi Rachel,
My name's Melanie, I'm working for media development NGO and here in Goma for a few weeks. I've read your post and heard most NGOs have planned a lock-down for the 30th, but the NGO I'm working with hasn't planned anything (basically there are 2 permanent Congolese people in Goma, so they don't have to worry). Would you advise to stay in or do you think it is a bit exagerated?
Hi Melanie,
I am completely unqualified to give ANYONE security advise, so please don't take anything I say as a rule you should stick to!
That said, I would love to see the parades, etc, in town on the 30th. If I didn't have to abide by security rules, I would personally probably go into town.
I will be very surprised if anything very bad happens. Riots of some sort may happen, though, so if you do go out, be vigilant.
In conclusion:
(1) If I could, I would definitely go see the celebrations
(2) I'm totally not a security expert so don't listen to me
Thanks for the advice I shouldn't listen to! :-) I'll go into town to see the parade, my Congolese colleague promised to come with me and said it would be fine. According to him, troubles would come from Rutshuru first and he would be informed of it quickly. But as you said, it is very unlikely. Is there no way for you to get out? Crazy NGO world.
I'll put up pictures and stuff about it on my blog.
You're blog is very interesting, I read quite a few posts before coming here. Keep it up!
Oh good!!! I'm so glad you're going to the parade. Be safe, and I can't wait to check out your blog to see photos!!!!!
I really can't sneak out... for one, my boss and all my colleagues will be locked up right here with me! They'd notice.
Thanks for the kind comments. :o)
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