30 décembre 2007
Last parties in Congo
What would be Goma without its infamous parties?? That's one thing we shall really miss. (though we're not too worried about the level of partying in Lebanon...)
Jeremie is the DJ here, but his favourite wife is just about to take over!
28 décembre 2007
Bye Bye Congo
We are on our way out of Africa. Time for us to pack all our stuff, organise moving house, and say bye to all friends and colleagues.
From left to right, Jeremie's colleagues: Mukendi, Francoise, and Jean Marie.
26 décembre 2007
Basketball in Congo
On Sundays, one can watch basketball in Goma. There are many teams playing and it's serious stuff.
The top two teams will go to Kinshasa to participate to the nation cup.
Two of my staff are playing basketball. But not in the same team. Jeremie and I went to see Daddy playing (team in Green). Whilst Dario shall comment the whole game for us. With the names of every player, their nickname, and so on.
The Yellows (sorry I forgot the names of the teams...) are way better than Daddy's Greens. Nice moves though, and a very pleasant game to watch.
As always in Africa the show is as much with the public than on stage. The crowd cheer at every great move by players.
Hey, this is the Goma Bulls playing!!
25 décembre 2007
Merry Christmas!!!
24 décembre 2007
Walking the dog
17 décembre 2007
Mick Jagger in Congo
There's a concert tonight at Nono's. A band playing some classic congolese tunes. Nono joked several times that Jeremie should go on stage and sing.
After some insistence, Jeremie whispers at the guitarist ears, and here we go for some classic Rock 'n roll stuff. The whole thing in total improvisation. Jeremie never met the band before, and they do not usually play this kind of songs. The British guitarist is keen on the challenge though, and the pair start leading the show.
Nono believes it will be a one song hit. After Hotel California, Jeremie keeps the microphone and continues with Stairway to Heaven. Things calms down a bit as Jeremie sings House of the Rising Sun.
Jeremie speeds up and offers us Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones, with a 10 mns never ending version. The room is on fire.
Nono goes to the stage and accompanies Jeremie for the final.
15 décembre 2007
Mister Cocktail
What does one drink in Goma?
Usual suspects include wine and the 'traditional' vodka orange or vodka red bull.
We're keen for a change really. Let's then extend somehow our drink list.
Let me introduce you with Jeremie's favourite new toys: a shaker, cocktail book, and countless bottles of spirit.
Don't ask me what he prepares. Some kind of lemon preparation apparently.
Almost scientifc doses...
Preparing some ice...
And here is the result.
Delicious really!
13 décembre 2007
Kayak
Hey, today let's enjoy the lake!
A kayak fanatic (yes, he comes from Scandinavia...) lends us his superb toy.
The lake is quiet today, just perfect for a ride along the coast. Needless to say Congolese children are stunned with the scenery and encourage us. It's not that often one sees a kayak in that part of the world.
Those muzungu definitely are a bit weird...
11 décembre 2007
Sad news
A very sad news awaits us as we come back home.
Kivu - our 3 months old cat - has died during our absence.
Needless to say we are very affected.
09 décembre 2007
Back home
.
We spend 1 hour packing the whole stuff (even with Rita’s super-fast packing skills). Jeremie has a hair cut (the places to go are all scattered around Phsar Thmei). We could not finish this trip without buying some more CDs and DVDs. By far, the best place in Cambodia to buy the stuff is at Sorya mall, last floor. The DVD boxes are fantastic good value, and way cheaper than in Russian Market.
We check out late from our hotel and pick a taxi to the airport (the trip takes around 20 mns). We take our DragonAir flight to Hong Kong.
Then 2 hours lay over in HK. Then we catch out Cathay Pacific. As for the flight to get to HK, the plane is not that great. Movies work this time, but not the lights!! Impossible to switch them on (very practical to read….) whereas our neighbour can’t switch his off!! (very useful to sleep). Service on the plane is ok, but nothing like the other superstar Asian airlines.
We arrive in Paris, and go through the customs, praying for not being controlled. With our hundreds of pirated cds and dvds, we prefer passing through smoothly...
We leave our luggage at Gare du Nord station and wander around in Paris: walking around in Bastille, then in Baubourg and in the Marais towards Place des Vosges. We finish in Quartier St Germain before heading back to the station to pick our luggage and head to the airport. Once again we’re late: the plane schedule has changed and shall depart half an hour earlier than planned!
The trip is fine, we stop at Addis for a couple of hours and then carry on to Rwanda.
Bad surprise as we arrive: a luggage is missing. That’s the huge one where all our precious dvds are located… It shall take us 1 month to get the bag back.
Strange impression to be back in Congo after this great trip in the middle of Asia. Once thing is for sure, we'll head back to our favourite continent really soon.
