A Few Final Pictures from Congo

While there are 54 countries in Africa, a lot of those nations may look very similar to the outside observer.  And for good reason.  Many countries across Africa suffer from some of the same challenges: poverty, food shortages, health problems, etc.  In many ways Congo looked similar to several other areas I’ve been to, but there were a few distinctions, or at least phenomena which were more prevalent here than in other places, that I wanted to share.

Petrol (gas) stations were few and far between.  I think I only counted three the entire time I was in the country.  So aspiring entrepreneurs will travel into town, purchase fuel, and then sell it in plastic water bottles scattered throughout the country.  If you remember during Hurricane Sandy last year New York residents began showing up at gas stations with empty 5-liter water bottles, or plastic gallon milk jugs because all the retail stores ran out of gas cans. But the gas stations refused to sell to anyone without a proper gas can due to safety regulations.  Congo does not appear to have those safety policies in place: (Sorry, you need to turn you head 90 degrees to the right.)

In 1994 after the Rwandan genocide, two million genocidaires crossed the border into Congo in less than a week to avoid being prosecuted for human rights violations.  The UN and international community set up refugee camps to accommodate the massive influx of people.  Those refugee camps still exist!  And they extend for MILES.  The reason those people are still refugees after 20 years is partly due to the fact they don’t want to go to jail for crimes during the genocide, and part of it is because they simply don’t have the money to return to Rwanda or move elsewhere:

During the volcanic eruption in 2002, the water pipes in Goma were destroyed.  They are attempting to lay new pipes, but I’m told digging through hardened lava is quite a chore, so it is slow going.  Similar to the fuel-filled water bottle ventures, here are people filling jerry cans in Lake Kivu and then cycling around town selling them:

As I mentioned, part of the reason for my trip to DRC was to visit the Tourism Program at the University of Goma:

The class I visited:

Do you see the wooden bike on the right hand side?  These things were all over the place in DRC.  It was the main method for transporting goods since no one really owned a vehicle:

And finally, the Nyiragongo Volcano:

Overall, it was an interesting trip to Congo.  I’m glad I went and can’t imagine ever going back.  But if nothing else, it gives me a new appreciation for… EVERYTHING.

Lava, Lava, Everywhere

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I am here in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a few days.  Adjacent to Goma is the Nyiragongo Volcano, which is still very active.  You can actually see smoke coming from the top most days.  If you haven’t visited Pompeii in Italy, Goma would be a close second.  Though, if given the choice, I would recommend a trip to Pompeii first- much better food there.

Twelve years ago, the Nyiragongo Volcano erupted, spewing lava throughout the city of Goma.  Fortunately the lava moved slowly enough that most people were able to get out of its way, but over 500 people did die from asphyxiation.  The town wasn’t so lucky.  The entire town was covered by the lava, as deep as six meters in some places, destroying most buildings and leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless.  The amazing thing is that most everyone remained in Goma afterward, and decided to rebuild.  Essentially all the buildings I’ve seen here are brand new (within the last 12 years at least) but they are built six feet higher than the previous city.  If you ever get the chance to visit Seattle, take the Underground Walking tour- same deal, today’s Seattle is built on top of Seattle from 100 years ago.

It’s illegal to take photos in Goma city, and most of DRC due to security concerns.  Again, glad I am here with a tour guide.  In my hotel today I met another muzungu who had just spent four days in jail- for taking a picture and getting caught.  So far Emmanuel has kept me out of jail and showed me different places where I can get away with taking photos.  But still, in order to take a picture I have to be in a moving vehicle and very sneaky.  It is like a drive by-photo op.  Though, as you will see, I am definitely not paparazzi material.  To give you an idea as to what Goma looks like, here is one neighborhood.  There is exactly one paved road in Goma, the road where all the NGOs are located. 

This is where the local Congolese live:

It’s hard to tell in this picture, but this road is at about a 45 degree incline.  Lots of bumps along the way:

On the left side you see a house which appears to be falling down.  You have to feel bad for this guy.  The house was built after the volcano erupted in 2002.  A few years ago the government decided they wanted to widen the road.  So, they forced the family to move and knocked down the part of the house which was in the way of the road.  But, they didn’t bother to knock down the whole house.  There is barbed wire across the front of the building to make sure no one enters it.  I’m sure that makes it completely safe: