The lava pit was very hard to see because of all the steam.
This is probably the best picture I got of the pit. My camera is not that great!
On the trail this was a great view.
This is my new friend, Suwanee. He lives a couple of houses down from us.
Walking on the lava rocks was like walking on marbles.
All over the side of the volcano there were these "steam holes."
This is our guide and security detail!
Another steam hole.So finally I am at a place to update my blog. I hope everyone is doing well. I really miss all my friends and family back home! David is all checked out and flying a lot, and I well have not been doing too much. Yes, just the opposite from home, David is working hard, and I have been kicked back taking it easy. Unfortunately it is driving me crazy! I think I am finally coming to the realization of what exactly it is I need to be doing here that is as far as the management side of my job goes. You see they actually created a new position for me as a Base Manager, but I had no real direction or authority of actually running the base here in Goma. I am starting to see the changes that needed to take place in order for me to do my job. Hopefully soon I will be back hard at work and flying more. Just trying to figure out my place in this world has taken most of my time and I have done little flying.
What I have done a lot of is sleep and eat! I can't tell you how much I love the food here. I am probably one of the few people who will get fat in the Congo. When I am in Goma, every day for lunch I go to this place called "Mamas." It is great for $3 you can get as much rice, beans, boiled bananas, and some kind of weed that looks and taste a lot like spinach also some days you get these wonderful small (minnow size) fried fish. It is located about 100 meters from our office. It is a tin shack with a dirt floor and has 2 picnic tables in it, with chickens running around at your feet. These two ladies cook all the food on a fire pit just out side the shack. I absolutely love it! Someday I will have to take a picture of the place and post it. Also we have a cook at the house and for $4 every night you get more food than you could possibly eat . It is always a 4 course meal. I gotta start working out!!!!!!
The second Sunday I was in Congo, I found myself climbing a huge active volcano. Goma's elevation is 5000 feet, the top of the volcano is 11,500 feet. It took a lot out of me the first couple of days just walking around Goma at 5,000 ft! It took us almost 5 hours to get to the top. There are no switch backs going up, we were pretty much climbing straight up the whole time. I probably would not have made it if Greg, the guy I was climbing with, would not have given me some extra encouragement!!! Of course my pictures really lack how awesome the view really was from the rim. Greg and I were trying to think where else in the world you can climb an active volcano and look down into the pit of lava. We could not think of any. Unfortunately for security reasons we could not spend the night up there. I was kinda glad cause camping did not look real fun there. But I could only imagine how spectacular it would have been at night. You can see the volcano best at night glowing from the city.
Well this has all been a huge adjustment for me. This is definitely a far cry from having instant email on my phone, instant phone contact for that matter, your own car, your own house, and yes even my own Tempurpedic mattress (Shane I hope you are taking good care of my mattress!!!) to unstable internet access, phones that only work sometimes, a driver that may show up in 15 minutes or 2 hours, and don't even get me started on the beds!!!! But in the end it is all worth it because when you leave the confines of your living quarters you step out into a world that is so amazing and I think to myself this is why I am here!
What I have done a lot of is sleep and eat! I can't tell you how much I love the food here. I am probably one of the few people who will get fat in the Congo. When I am in Goma, every day for lunch I go to this place called "Mamas." It is great for $3 you can get as much rice, beans, boiled bananas, and some kind of weed that looks and taste a lot like spinach also some days you get these wonderful small (minnow size) fried fish. It is located about 100 meters from our office. It is a tin shack with a dirt floor and has 2 picnic tables in it, with chickens running around at your feet. These two ladies cook all the food on a fire pit just out side the shack. I absolutely love it! Someday I will have to take a picture of the place and post it. Also we have a cook at the house and for $4 every night you get more food than you could possibly eat . It is always a 4 course meal. I gotta start working out!!!!!!
The second Sunday I was in Congo, I found myself climbing a huge active volcano. Goma's elevation is 5000 feet, the top of the volcano is 11,500 feet. It took a lot out of me the first couple of days just walking around Goma at 5,000 ft! It took us almost 5 hours to get to the top. There are no switch backs going up, we were pretty much climbing straight up the whole time. I probably would not have made it if Greg, the guy I was climbing with, would not have given me some extra encouragement!!! Of course my pictures really lack how awesome the view really was from the rim. Greg and I were trying to think where else in the world you can climb an active volcano and look down into the pit of lava. We could not think of any. Unfortunately for security reasons we could not spend the night up there. I was kinda glad cause camping did not look real fun there. But I could only imagine how spectacular it would have been at night. You can see the volcano best at night glowing from the city.
Well this has all been a huge adjustment for me. This is definitely a far cry from having instant email on my phone, instant phone contact for that matter, your own car, your own house, and yes even my own Tempurpedic mattress (Shane I hope you are taking good care of my mattress!!!) to unstable internet access, phones that only work sometimes, a driver that may show up in 15 minutes or 2 hours, and don't even get me started on the beds!!!! But in the end it is all worth it because when you leave the confines of your living quarters you step out into a world that is so amazing and I think to myself this is why I am here!
Sorry my pictures are not in order. I am having a little trouble trying to get my layout the way I want it. I need my friend Andy to help me!!!!
Take Care!!!
6 comments:
I loved Mama's too! It was one of those cross-cultural experiences that is so simple, yet profound. Isn't it amazing that food has that effect? I always thought it was the "chipote" (sp?) that made people fat. Mmmmmm... warm fried batter thingys.
You were lucky to climb the volcano at all! When I was there, we were pretty much on lockdown.
So, what do you want to do with your pictures? Blogspot can be a little finicky sometimes...
ya'll take care, hear?
-andy
Oh yeah,
I remember. I would just load all of my pictures, and then after I have them all on the post, I would use "cut" and "paste" to get them in the right order.
-a
I just read your blog for the first time. Sounds like you are enjoying the adventure. Take care of yourselves. We all miss you.
Amy and David,
Rachel just gave me the blog address. Just wanted to drop a line and say hi.
Hi Amy,
I tried to post last night, but for some reason, it apparently didn't. I learned of your Blog from Jason and really enjoyed reading about your 'adventures' and love the beauty of the pictures. Long way from White Rock, huh? Anyway, we want to wish you the best and will pray that you remain safe in God's service.
John/Jean T.
Amy and David, I enjoyed your photos and adventures and want you to know that you are often in my prayers. Life is wonderful when you follow your dream and your calling. Be safe and come home soon. God bless you both.
Sonya
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