Today was sort of a tough day. Last night went to a "one mouse" Lebanese Restaurant (that’s all we saw, which I guess is better than some of the rats spotted at the “resort” in Sao Tome). Had horrible cramps and an upset stomach. Also a sore throat and my sneezing and runny nose were back. Found out our airline had gone belly up so we did not fly in the morning. But “not to worry” – Jean Pierre has secured tickets on an airline that flies Monday. This means we get back on Friday just before our flight to Paris – which makes me extremely nervous. Akos swears up and down that we have tickets on Friday and it should be no problem. But Akos’ version of the truth is a bit African – certainly fluid.
This morning skipped breakfast and just had Mark bring me a piece of bread. We had an activity at 9 AM – went for a ride to see the rapids. Amazing that we can see the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) but can’t go there. The place is a basket case. Had to climb through some rocks and I had a terrible time – Jean Pierre was very nice and helped me. I just don’t do rocks well :-(
Driving through the town is something else. So much dirt and trash. People look well fed – there is no horrid poverty and begging like you see in India – just dirt and trash – as if people do not care. This being “one of Africa’s least visited countries” – or so Akos claims – people either ignore us or look at us with curiosity.
Ate lunch at the hotel – just a bit of rice and a couple of fried bananas. Sharon is also sick. I took Cipro – she took lomatril. Hopefully we will get better. At lunch we talked about what should be on Akos and Jessica’s screening questionnaires for travelers. Something like “someone screams “bug” – do you a) take its picture, b) pick it up or c) squash it”. And “someone sees a mouse at dinner – do you a) ignore it, b) point out its species, or c) scream; extra points if you get its picture for later identification”. I guess I knew this would be rough – but I never envisioned how rough – the African train seems like a bad nightmare. And who knows what’s in store in the jungle!
Got some Benadryl from Jessica and I was out for the afternoon. Sleeping was good – don’t feel 100% but certainly better. Mark went to the handicraft market and then to the regular local market. He wondered around by himself and said people once again ignored him – except for the kids – one little boy came out to shake his hand. Apparently everyone else was uncomfortable so they left – and Mark was the last one back. Went to a local restaurant tonight – did not see any mice. But then again Jessica is now sick – allergies, headache, throwing up. And she is the best mouse spotter!
Tomorrow we are doing a 7:30 departure for an outing on the Congo River. Hope it is not too rough. Akos said we’d be back by 2 – which by Akos time may mean 3 or 4. Probably our last “easy” day …….
This morning skipped breakfast and just had Mark bring me a piece of bread. We had an activity at 9 AM – went for a ride to see the rapids. Amazing that we can see the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) but can’t go there. The place is a basket case. Had to climb through some rocks and I had a terrible time – Jean Pierre was very nice and helped me. I just don’t do rocks well :-(Driving through the town is something else. So much dirt and trash. People look well fed – there is no horrid poverty and begging like you see in India – just dirt and trash – as if people do not care. This being “one of Africa’s least visited countries” – or so Akos claims – people either ignore us or look at us with curiosity.
Ate lunch at the hotel – just a bit of rice and a couple of fried bananas. Sharon is also sick. I took Cipro – she took lomatril. Hopefully we will get better. At lunch we talked about what should be on Akos and Jessica’s screening questionnaires for travelers. Something like “someone screams “bug” – do you a) take its picture, b) pick it up or c) squash it”. And “someone sees a mouse at dinner – do you a) ignore it, b) point out its species, or c) scream; extra points if you get its picture for later identification”. I guess I knew this would be rough – but I never envisioned how rough – the African train seems like a bad nightmare. And who knows what’s in store in the jungle!
Got some Benadryl from Jessica and I was out for the afternoon. Sleeping was good – don’t feel 100% but certainly better. Mark went to the handicraft market and then to the regular local market. He wondered around by himself and said people once again ignored him – except for the kids – one little boy came out to shake his hand. Apparently everyone else was uncomfortable so they left – and Mark was the last one back. Went to a local restaurant tonight – did not see any mice. But then again Jessica is now sick – allergies, headache, throwing up. And she is the best mouse spotter!Tomorrow we are doing a 7:30 departure for an outing on the Congo River. Hope it is not too rough. Akos said we’d be back by 2 – which by Akos time may mean 3 or 4. Probably our last “easy” day …….
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