What flying in the Democratic republic of Congo can be like
Tag: Congo
A short summary of my family’s history in Congo
Everyone calls me Emilio but my full name is Khalid Emilio. It’s Khalid because I’m of Indian descent and also Nicaraguan on my mother’s side. My father, Karim, is an Ismaili and his father (my grandfather), Sultan, came to the Belgian Congo in the 1950s with his brothers Badhur and Sadru. They were among the… Continue reading A short summary of my family’s history in Congo
Childhood memories in Congo
Here are some childhood memories from the 90s I still remember that I’m sure many others can relate to and that I hope I’ll never forget.
The Democratic Republic of Gombe
As you may well know, the upmarket borough of Gombe is not like the rest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Locals cheekily call it the Democratic Republic of Gombe It is only in this tiny part of a country the size of Europe that you can think it is a “normal” city or country
Photos I like
Photos, photos, photos and more photos 🙂 Golfer at the Kinshasa golf course New skyscraper seen from the golf course Football player at the Turkish school in Kinshasa Practice greens at the Kinshasa golf course Kinshasa golf course clay tennis courts Congo river speedboat Sunset on the Congo river Huts 🛖 on the Congo river… Continue reading Photos I like
A list of NGOs and other organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo
There are thousands of non-profits, for-profits, non-governmental organizations, foreign and national programs to help the DRC out of poverty, to end wars, to stop malnutrition or to end corruption (among many other projects). Here is a non-exhaustive list of various NGOs and for-profit projects that are or have done significant work in the country (alphabetically).
Is it normal?
Is it normal to… Sit in traffic for hours everyday?Get asked for bribes or “coffee” or “fuel” by cops?Be nervous and anxious every time you drive to work or around the city in case you get stopped by cops?Having to wave or greet every single person you cross on the street?Being stopped by a civilian… Continue reading Is it normal?
Christmas in Congo
How can you wish someone a merry Christmas when they are living on the street? How can you send someone a WhatsApp « best wishes » when their town got bombed on Christmas Day (Beni CNN article)? But we live in a bipolar world, where we can go eat a nice warm French croissant while… Continue reading Christmas in Congo
A round of golf in Kinshasa video
Drone footage of the Kinshasa golf course in 2021
Pink Floyd and 24 Novembre
Pink Floyd and 24 Novembre As the hawkers pass by And the motorbikes zip pass As the kids laugh and joke As the taxi drivers say “Lemba Lemba” As the dust flies over your face As the smoke enters your lungs Pink Floyd soothes your ears, heart and mind The Great Gig In The Sky Live at Knebworth 1990
A walk on the Kinshasa golf course
A walk on the Kinshasa golf course
Living in the Democratic Republic of Congo
What's it like to live and work in the DRC? Um. It's okay I guess. For you, it will different. I can only talk about my experience.
Driving from Gombe to Limete
A description of a typical drive through Kinshasa
Riding a moto taxi in Kinshasa
Moto taxis in Kinshasa. Love them or hate them, you will never sit in traffic again or you’ll die!
Golfing in Lubumbashi
The Democratic Republic of Congo. Wars. Corruption. Power problems. Crazy traffic. Water scarcity. Poverty. But there are also other things: generous, kind and helpful people, music, art, culture, nature, history and so many more beautiful things that are often overlooked. One of them will surprise you. It is the Lubumbashi golf course.
Recette: Poulet à la moambe à la Tabuku
Recette Poulet Moambe. Le poulet moambe (portugais : moamba de galinha) est un plat de poulet salé populaire en Afrique centrale et considéré comme le plat national de l'Angola. Le plat lui-même est fait en combinant du poulet, des épices et du beurre de palme pour créer une consistance semblable à un ragoût. Un certain nombre de variations locales ou régionales existent à travers le Congo et l'Afrique centrale ; le plat est également connu en dehors du continent.
Garden flowers photos
Garden photos
Why I left the “West”
I wanted to leave the west so much that I left Canada even before properly finishing my studies. Don't worry, I finished remotely! It’s not that I didn’t like it. I enjoyed my studies, my friends and generally liked my life over there. But I wasn’t happy. Or rather, I wasn’t satisfied. I was bored. I disliked the streets, the people (not all!), the lack of urgency and the passivity
“Where are you from?”
This question gets asked a lot when I meet someone new. I have many versions of the answer depending on the person asking, my mood or the immediate environment. I can't seem to answer the same thing every time. Why is this question important in the first place? Why is it asked? Is my accent… Continue reading “Where are you from?”
Landing at Kinshasa airport, an experience
Landing at the Kinshasa airport, an experience I landed in the Kinshasa International or Ndjili airport at 10pm on a Turkish airlines flight on a Sunday night. This is what you can expect.
Emilio in Congo (DRC) 