Business a la congolaise

I may have spoken too soon when I declared on my FB page that I know I've lived in Africa long enough since the weird Rwanda-DRC border crossing starts seeming casual. Well, in a way I was right: I now fill out those forms rather carelessly and do not startle anymore when I see the frontier guys armed to their teeth. Also, I have become quite used to the notion that on the DRC side of things you just have to bribe - for whatever reason. I've stayed clear of trouble myself so far, but every time someone in my entourage had to produce $$$: may it be for the lack of the yellow fever certificate (which they ask for randomly as it is), some stamp that is missing, or trying to get out of having your bags opened and examined.

This morning, however, I had another funny experience I wasn't quite prepared for. Sandy and I were going to board a plane at 8 a.m., so our Goma logistics guy, Jackson, showed up at our residence to give us a lift quite early. Of course we got stuck in some mad traffic jam, but he insisted we would catch the flight - because they would simply wait for us if we're late. Quite reassured (!) we made it to the crazy airport, had our bags weighed, and then realized we are also charged for two extra bags - which were not there when we left the house. Jackson then explained that we are supposed to carry some "special mushrooms" and give the packs to someone who is going to wait for us when we land. Honestly, I didn't quite dare take the conversation any further and decided I would just play dumb and carry whatever weird plants/substances deep into Congo and see what happens. Luckily nothing bad happened - other than several officials on both sides feeling the fluffy packs and letting us get through. When we arrived in Butembo, some guy showed up to give us a lift.


He claimed he didn't know anything about us bringing "special mushrooms" packed in Champions League plastic bags, but that he knew the guy whose name was scribbled there, so we just dropped them bags in his car and moved on.


We are now waiting to be served dinner (we ordered at 4 to make sure we are getting it ready by 7) and then off we go tomorrow deep into the forest. More bribes to pay along the way - especially at the PEAGE check points. d="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527560369701325506" />