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