Cool in the Congo….

Confession time again. We went to the Congo last weekend despite FCO advice and a friendly chat from the Vice Ambassador friend who said if we got stuck there, he wasn’t coming to rescue us! We know we promised we wouldn’t – given the rebel activities n’all that, but we figured, if the UN were there, it would be fine….what we didn’t bank on were that the guys in the UN mission in DRC were demon dancers and loved their whiskey. And so we found ourselves, once again, on the dance floor, shaking our stuff with the Congolese until the small hours when good sense eventually told us that we’d be up at the crack of dawn to make our way up the magnificent Nyiragongo volcano.


Seeing the bullet holes through the entrance sign of the National Park didn’t put us off. So, up we went – our merry band of 7, including 2 Irish (it was St Paddy’s day after all) and 3 Belgians, accompanied by an armed guard / guide and several porters. Shortly after we started the 6 hour climb, the heavens opened and it was a matter of sheer will power and determination that got us to the top without any dry clothing. Unfortunately, Laura, who had had a close encounter with an NHS butcher for a ripped Achilles, was forced to turn around as the climb was tough going and the merry band was reduced to 6….but she had her own adventure with a waragi (Ugandan gin) swilling gun toting rebel before negotiating a lift back to Goma.


The stunning views back over the border to Rwanda were a good excuse to stop on the way up the steep slopes of volcanic scree. Arriving at the summit, 3,300 or so meters up high in the clouds, we discovered that it was well worth the effort. It was like a scene from Lord of the Rings. We camped next to snow and red hot bubbling lava. It was hard to believe we were looking straight down at middle earth and seeing mini volcanic eruptions. The last major eruption in 2002, destroyed half of Goma town and the effects of that is still very much in evidence with the buried houses and vehicles.

The porters were legendary. We barely made it to the top carrying nothing but a small day pack of essentials – whiskey and chocolate. They carried our heavy packs of tents and food. We had sturdy walking boots and warm albeit wet socks. They had Welly boots with holes in the toes and no socks. No sleeping bags or water for them and they ate the food we offered. All this and their only reward was $6 a day. Makes me think a cosy office job isn’t all that bad….ah but then again…..

Our initial work at Centre Marembo is now coming to end. However much needed funds are still needed. Thank you to everyone who generously given to our cause. To those who haven’t, there’s still plenty of opportunity!

Love

Andy & Viv x