I cannot give too many details on my flash visit to Goma this weekend, because I am still trying to process what happened to me there. But I can say that I finally discovered the Congolese rumba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soukous) and that I AM IN LOVE! Dancing to those sensual beats, in the middle of a deserted, apocalyptic Goma-by-night, was really quite out of this world. At times, it felt like I was floating in some crater on the moon - this is how the city unveiled itself to me once the bustle of the working day was over. Everything pitch dark, ruins everywhere, black lava stones and gravel covering all 'roads' (Goma was destroyed in 2002 by the eruption of the neighboring Nyiragongo Volcano - which, incidentally, I intend to climb before leaving Africa, rebel-activity and lava-activity permitting.)
At times, lightnings would flash through and the roars of Kivu Lake would break the deadly, menacing silence. UN vehicles and prostitutes were the only other moving phantoms after midnight. It was the first time, actually, when I really stepped out of the car in that mad city, to walk a bit around. Bizarre and spectacular and dangerous and calm and definitely surreal - all at the same time. Movie stuff apparitions as I have never felt or experienced before anywhere else. All accompanying the douce lingala language of the wonderful rumba tunes, that I don't think I will ever release from my heart and mind.
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