What's Woody Doing Now

Welcome to Congo During the Rainy Season

After over 24 hours, I landed in Kinshasa. It was hot and humid. Welcome to Congo during the rainy season. The walk from the plane to the terminal was enough time to smell the stink smoke heavy in humid air. Everyone was made to follow the pathway like ants to the terminal. Clearing immigration was easy and painless. Next to the hell hole itself, the baggage claim area to get my four footlockers. One of them came out very earlier as a teaser. Then, it was back to normal of waiting and waiting and waiting. Of course, there was no air conditioning so it seemed like eternity. All four arrived, so it was time to clear customs. After the normal discussion, we started to leave the terminal. At the door, a scuffle started between the airport authorities and a porter. We were delayed long enough until another custom agent caught up with us. He wanted to look in the footlockers. Sorry! Too late! We just ignored him and kept walking into the parking lot. It was battle of wills. Finally, he was able to convince the porters with two footlockers to stop. But I kept going with the keys firmly in my pocket. I did not look back. I waited at the van with two footlockers securely stored away. Finally, Mukila arrived and asked for the key to open a footlocker. Not a good measure! After some tense moments and prayers, Mukila returned with the last two footlockers. Nothing said, so I did not ask. The trip to MPH (Methodist Presbyterian Hostel) was long and uneventful. It like driving 45 minutes in bumper car ring across town. Occasionally there was a water filled street which backed up traffic even more. At MPH, I made plans to fly out the next day to Kananga. Why should I waste time in Kinshasa? I needed to print my travel papers (Mission Orders). Why? Another rule still in tact from colonial times. I was told by protocol guy that I should not sign my own papers. I should get my director of personnel. Oops, it worked last year and the years before them. Ok, I will get my personnel to sign next time. Right! As soon as the paper was signed, a violent thunderstorm started. Then the power went off. Thanks be to God. I ate my quick meal of a hamburger with fries, salad, and diced fruit. I ate by intermittent candlelight caused by the blowing wind and by intermittent lights caused by the lightning. Welcome to Congo during the rainy season

Somewhere over Congo

No pictures allowed while over Congo! That's what the flight attendant just announced over the intercom. Sorry, I cannot take a picture of the Congo at 35000 feet through the clouds. Here's a picture of the graphics map on my personal display. Welcome back to Congo. Welcome back to the Past. Welcome back to those hysterical rules. from my HTC phone!

Sparing No Expense in Paris

Paris! Ok, it's Charles DeGaulle Airport. I am doing some last minute shopping. I have been carrying around 10 Great Britian Pounds since last September. Why? I kept forgetting to exchange it. In exchange, I got 8 Euros. Immediately, they started burning a hole in my pocket. Also, I can't use them readily in Congo. So, I should spend them here. I stopped at the bookstore to purchase something. Twenty-six Euros later, I walked out with 3 French-English Phrase Books and 2 Bars of Toblerone Chocolate. And I still have 8 Euros because I used my credit card. Then, I got the bright idea to take some other reading materials to Bulape. I found a stand of free magazines. Three or four copies each are great presents for some friends and the library at the Bulape Cultural Center. I bought an Expresso and a Raisin Bread for 3.50 Euros. I got more shopping to do! from my HTC phone!

Somewhere Between Indianapolis and Washington,

I just remembered the horsradish. I think it was the after taste from my hot dog with sauerkraut that jolted my memory.

Yes, I forgot to get fresh horseradish for my friend in Congo. He needs to grow it fresh.

I will ask at Dulles International Airport, and Charles DeGaulle Airport.

I am flying to Kinshasa, Congo.

Bloggers Anonymous Meetup

Do you have a blogging problem? 

If yes, you should have attended the Bloggers Anonymous Meetup. 

If no, you should have attended the Bloggers Anonymous Meetup.

I have a blogging problem.

The meetup was held at theIndianapolis Museum of Arts (IMA).

WOW!  I metup with Kat.  I had not talked to her in four years or so.  However, to my surprise, she had been following me my blog.

Also, I metup with Scott.  He is an oldtimer, that is, been blogging since 2005.

I gotshot, too.  Actually twice, duh, I could not write out my URL correctly.

I am need to go back again because I did not get cured!

P.S.  I won a book in a drawing.  And I got a cool indyculturematters.org shirt.