thoughts – Emilio in Congo (DRC)

An update from Leuven

A random collection of photos from my latest travels in Congo and Europe

August 12, 2026

Informative material (books, websites, blogs, videos) about Congo (Gemini AI)

I asked Gemini : What are good informative books and websites about life in Congo Kinshasa? This is what it said. To understand life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)—specifically the bustling, rhythmic chaos of Kinshasa—you need a mix of historical context and modern storytelling. Here is a curated list of books and websites…

June 26, 2026

Another crazy drive to Ndjili airport

I guess you can never get used to driving to the airport in Kinshasa.

June 26, 2026

April and May trips photos

April and may 2026 trips photos to Belgium, Spain and Nicaragua.

June 4, 2026

Kinshasa these days

Thoughts on Kinshasa in 2026 – traffic, restaurants, floods

February 18, 2026

Fally Ipupa’s Rumba Royale debut (review)

A mixed review of Fally Ipupa’s first movie, Rumba Royale

December 11, 2025

Updates 2025

A quick update on my life and Congo in December 2025 with some photos!

December 6, 2025

A little peace and quiet in the Kruidtuin of Leuven

Thoughts in a garden

September 17, 2025

Le golf en République Démocratique du Congo

Saviez-vous qu’il y a 2 terrains de golf en République Démocratique du Congo? Oui, un à Kinshasa et un autre à Lubumbashi. Tous les deux sont des 18 trous!

April 26, 2025

Leuven in pictures

Photos I took of the city since visiting it regularly since 2023. The main shopping street, the city hall, the library tower, streets and some food are featured in this post! Enjoy!

March 22, 2025

Emilio in Leuven

Your dear author now has to share his time between Belgium, where my family is (a new father I am!) and Congo where work is never finished or missing!

March 19, 2025

What’s happening in the Congo right now?

Thoughts on the Congo in 2025 : rebels, war, peace, future

March 19, 2025

Le temps perdu

Un poème sur la vieillesse

January 2, 2025

The current state of affairs in the DRC – November 2024

I sit here on an overcast Saturday in Kinshasa. It isn’t too hot. The weather has been a bit unpredictable with rains in the mornings and afternoons. We’ve had some sweltering heat as well. The sun has been brutal on some days.

November 9, 2024

Kinshasa’s classic food dives and bars

The classic spots in Kinshasa

June 19, 2024

What you can learn in the DRC

Sure, you think you’re all that because you grew up in a developed country that didn’t go to war, that is not completely corrupt, that has good roads, a working government, a history with plenty of culture, that was never colonised and then some.

May 9, 2024