It's been almost 2 weeks since I arrived in DRC. I went thru many different emotions I can assure you. Firstly, when I walked out from the plane at 18h30 the air was thick with moisture and heat. Thermal chock! It was almost suffocating. Welcome to Congo!
Then the drive from the airport to the Memling Hotel, downtown Kinshasa was, in itself, an unbelievable experience. Driving rules are non existent. There are 3 lanes to drive towards the city and 3 lanes to drive out from the city. The lanes are separated by concrete separators. Despite that, people manage to drive on the wrong lane (against the traffic) and not just a few! People are walking, cycling and running across the highway! No problem.
Life here is pretty different from our standards. Actually, there isn't much comparable! What has become obvious for us isn't always here in Congo. For example, having access to the Internet! Service is generally slow and can be controlled by the authorities unless equipped with a satellite connection.
Last January, following very violent demonstrations in Kinshasa with several deaths, the government has taken control over the Internet preventing people from using Facebook and other social networks to organize themselves and prevent other demonstrations. The reason for this is that next fall there should be general elections in the country but Kabila wants to modify the electoral law to the general discontent of the Congolese. He wants to establish himself as President on a more permanent basis.
Then the drive from the airport to the Memling Hotel, downtown Kinshasa was, in itself, an unbelievable experience. Driving rules are non existent. There are 3 lanes to drive towards the city and 3 lanes to drive out from the city. The lanes are separated by concrete separators. Despite that, people manage to drive on the wrong lane (against the traffic) and not just a few! People are walking, cycling and running across the highway! No problem.
Life here is pretty different from our standards. Actually, there isn't much comparable! What has become obvious for us isn't always here in Congo. For example, having access to the Internet! Service is generally slow and can be controlled by the authorities unless equipped with a satellite connection.
Last January, following very violent demonstrations in Kinshasa with several deaths, the government has taken control over the Internet preventing people from using Facebook and other social networks to organize themselves and prevent other demonstrations. The reason for this is that next fall there should be general elections in the country but Kabila wants to modify the electoral law to the general discontent of the Congolese. He wants to establish himself as President on a more permanent basis.
