50 is the New 21

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip.

A fresh coat of paint in Kisangani for
the 50th. Pardon the tree, it was taken
from a car.

Congo celebrated 50 years of independence from Belgium on 30 June. It was the pinnacle event that the Congolese government has been preparing for since the 2006 election season ended. The King of Belgium came! The Chinese finished the Blvd 30 Juin and even painted lane markers and cross walks (no crossing signals but it's a start). Streetlights on some roads were installed and turned on, and most continue to function to this very day. Special commemoration fabric was printed (hope everyone wants Congo 50th anniversary shirts for Christmas), along with 50th anniversary currency notes. I recently acquired a 50th anniversary umbrella with all previous leaders of Congo/Zaire pictured on it (yes, it is amazing). I wasn't here for 30 June, but I am reaping the benefits while they last. The rainy season that just started might wash away the lane markers and short circuit the streetlights and cause large sink holes to develop on The Blvd. There is bad precedent for this.

Tree trunks painted in colors of the
Congolese flag.

Nowadays, people in the know say 50 is the new 30. But I think in Congo terms, 50 is even younger, that lucky bitch. It is still experimenting and sometimes gets drunk and gets in bar fights. It has moved out of its parents' house, and though it can get by, it's apartment is filthy and the rent is not always paid on time. It is old enough to make it's own decisions, but is still a tad irresponsible. It can be too hungover to get up and go to work in the morning. Congo is determined to get by on its own, but it still comes by every once and awhile with its tail between its legs asking for help. I suspect Congo will experience more growing pains as it grows up and finds it's rightful place in the world. It will need help along the way, as everyone does, as it proceeds along the path to maturity. And on it goes towards the next 50....


*People have debated over Kinshasa's decision to name the Belgian King the guest of honor at the independence celebrations. The King is from the same line of monarchs that is widely accepted to have been the most predatory colonial overlords in history. Some people have said that the Congolese desperately seek the approval of Belgium, like the prodigal son that Congo is. Some people have said Congo just doesn't see the irony.