Quick post today–gotta hand over the computer to Evan for some planning time. We are rapidly approaching the end of the trip. It’s hard to believe that in a few days we’ll be on a plane heading home. Though we’re having a blast, I think it’s around this point in the trip that everyone is just ready to be back.
I have a split role on this trip. Everyone else is focused on the filming, and I am mainly trying to absorb Congo–all the sights, smells, the noises, the tastes. When I get home, I’ll go into high gear on writing and figuring out what a book about this place and these people might look like. I’ve got some ideas, but I just need some time to sit in front of my computer and churn out some good brainstorming material.
My role on the film project is to basically stay out of the shots, as I’m not a part of the film project itself. So, I run around trying to stay behind Evan or Luke. I know people think I’m crazy–what is that muzungu doing always running behind those men? My other jobs are to hold things, open new tapes, change batteries, and look for police or military. We’re not in any real danger, but the police here get paid sporadically and rarely, and they often live in extreme poverty. They basically make their living off of bribes. We’ve got film passes, and everything’s on the up and up, but that doesn’t mean quite the same here…
