Saturday, September 21, 2013

DRC, Day 7: The Weekend

Today was a day off of normal activities, so there’s really no much of anything to report. We woke up an hour later than usual and went on a 5+ mile walk around the “neighborhood” (instead of the usual run, because I’m planning on doing a long run tomorrow morning). Even though it was a walk, the walkers in the group are used to power walking, so it was a bit fast-paced for me. There was more than one instance when I was jogging a few steps to catch up.
                
After the walk, we worked on various reports and whatnot that we all had to do. I updated the paper I’m working on with the other members of the MEDRETE team back in June, including the information from my re-evaluation of the hospital this time around.
                
At 12, we were all supposed to go down to the New Cliffs restaurant for lunch (and an opportunity for faster internet), but the three guys from the embassy were still working on reports, so they sent MAJ Lang and I up ahead. Unfortunately, we ran into Phillipe, a really obnoxious Belgian-Congolese (white man born in the Congo) man who I don’t think does anyting but sit at the New Cliffs and drink. He took it upon himself to change our lunch order to clams, and while those were the smallest clams I had ever consumed, he also paid for lunch, so I guess I can’t fault him too much. At least, for that. For the other ridiculously stupid things that come out of his mouth, yes, I’ll fault him.

                
That was pretty much the day, culminating in returning to the New Cliffs at 6 for dinner and watching the sunset over the Atlantic. In all, it was a low-key, relaxing day with no obligations, which was nice in and of itself.  


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