Woah, It's Been Awhile!

At at Christmas Market with gluehwein.

It's been a long three months in Congo. I was traveling a lot and it has been busy at work. I have been distracted, both good and bad. Sleep still eludes me and hypotheses as to why continue to abound. I am convinced that Kinshasa's location nearly right on the Equator messes with the tidal rhythms, and thus, the mind's ability to know when to sleep and when to be awake. I clearly am just making stuff up at this point, but soon, hopefully, I will get some Ambian, and it will make everything go away for 8 hours each night. Now to a recap of some key events:






Hanging with the chillen's.

• I visited Lubumbashi in southeastern Congo from late November-early December. It was my second trip there, the first was in 2007. A lot has changed--road construction, more restaurants, hotels, and the like--but one thing that hasn't is the much smaller, and less frantic pace compared to Kinshasa. It was nice to get out of the big city and slow down a bit. The weather also is nicer; it is much dryer and a bit cooler in Lubumbashi. It was nice to wear a light cardigan at night, and man, do I love cardigans. I single-handedly keep J Crew in the black, especially during these hard, economic times. 
• I was in Germany for three weeks in December for work, but it was an opportune time because the Christmas markets were in full swing, and that means Gluehwein! Yes, gluehwein, the delicious, warm, spiced wine that comes in a handy souvenir mug to keep one warm as they peruse the markets. It also snowed nearly everyday I was in Germany and we had a white Christmas! Oh, and there's beer in Germany too, so.much.beer.
• I took a quick jaunt down to South Africa for a New Year's safari. It was a great trip, despite my stomach flu, and I saw the big five: rhino, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and lion. The lion siting was barely a siting, but I saw a paw, so I think it still counts.



The National Museum in Lubumbashi

• I traveled to Goma and Bukavu in eastern Congo in February. It was a great trip: ferry rides in Lake Kivu, a sightseeing trip to the outskirts of Bukavu, a run-in with Ben Affleck, and some fun time with the kids at a displaced persons camp. 

My next trip will be to the States in April. I can't wait to go to Target and IHOP!