Category Archives: Congo

Unpacking, Vol. 2: The flight there

Here is how the May Congo trip started: I went to my sister-in-law’s wedding in Florida, with a very sick Jesse in tow. In order to get us there on time and with all accessories present, I did everything: the packing, the cat boarding, the driving. While in Florida, I went into overdrive helping with [...]
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A Story

I know. Congo. I haven’t said much yet. So different from last time, when I wouldn’t shut up about it. When I think of telling you about it, I can’t think of how to explain it, how to summarize it, how to put what I’m feeling and thinking into words and sentences. Or, maybe I’m [...]
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Congo in Five Minutes

Here’s our trip, in five minutes, complete with Christie’s toilet paper dance, Josh smelling his shoes, Clay washing clothes Congo-style, and the general merriment had by all. The Chipotle is in DC; the fancy stuff is in Rwanda.
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Dizzy

So that part about the room spinning? Not a metaphor. I was trying to wait it out, but last night I started dinner and got so dizzy and sick that as soon as Jesse pulled into the driveway, I stuck my head out the door and said, “I need you to finish dinner!” and as [...]
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Unpacking, Vol. 1, Notes from the flight back

The note I wanted to pass to the man sitting next to me: When occupying a window seat on a sixteen-hour flight, it is your moral obligation to lean toward the window and not on the armrest toward your flying companion, who can only lean into the aisle so much before getting pummeled by the [...]
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Home Again

It’s hard to comprehend that a few days ago, I was in the middle of Africa. Today, I’m doing laundry, washing the red Congo dust out of my clothes, and I’ve unpacked everything and put away my suitcase–which may be on its last legs–and last night I ate Papa John’s pizza (imagine!) and Jesse has [...]
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Almost Home

We’re in Kigali, staying at a wonderful hotel. The place we’d planned on staying was full because of a wedding, so we ended up at a nicer place than we’d originally planned (which was a happy accident). I woke up to birds singing and watched the sunrise over Kigali this morning from the balcony of [...]
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