Not sure if it is the fact that we only have one more day here in Congo, the security of knowing that we have our exit papers in-hand, or the excitement of seeing HOME very soon.... but we have actually begun to enjoy our time in Congo lately. Not "having a blast" or anything too crazy like that, but just a general sense of happiness. We have found our "groove" so to speak, and it has made the last few days go soooooo much faster! So in keeping with this happy theme, we have decided that it is time for post about the things that we have enjoyed about our time in Congo. So here goes... my "Top Ten Happy List" for things here in Kinshasa, Congo:
10. St Annes is a lovely place to stay! Yes, there is no hot water, the mosquitos are fierce, and the free breakfast leaves MUCH to be desired (unless you reaaaaaaaally like white bread, AKA Leepah with spreadable cheese), BUT the staff is so sweet, they keep the place clean, it feels quite safe, there is semi-functioning internet most of the time, the back yard is perfect for children to run and play, and the rooms are actually very nice ... especially for Africa! For the past week Dan and I have had a king size bed all to ourselves. OK, so it is the most uncomfortable (not an exaggeration) mattress that I have ever slept on, but it is a BIG uncomfortable mattress! The beds are canopy with mosquito nets ... functional and pretty. :) Dan likes the air conditioning. I like that we have such a great view from the third floor, and that we get those nifty concerts that I wrote about before through the air vents everyday. Plus, since I cannot go for a run, those flights of stairs are the most exercise that I get all day, and I love them. They are a great way for Agape to learn how to count in English, too! (there are 55 stairs going to our room) All in all, if you ever need to stay in Kinshasa, we highly recommend St Annes. It is right across from US Embassy, the UN headquarters, and a pretty comprehensive market that is like a mini Congo-Walmart. Plus, it is right by the river (great view) and in a nicer part of town. OH, and if you ever come here.... don't forget to go up on the roof! The view rocks! Just keep going past the 3rd floor, and swing open the door with the cement block in front (which is only there because the latch is broken). GREAT view from the roof of Brazzeville across the river too!
9. The people we have met. First of all, the group of families that we travelled with has been AWESOME. Such a source of companionship and comfort through this hard time. We have had so much fun together! Also, the people we have met at breakfast at St Annes and some of the adoptive families from other agencies who are also staying here. This is apparently a very happenin' adoption place to stay, as there are 7 adoptive families here right now! Also, the other guests who we talk with at breakfast. We just love meeting new people and hearing their stories! Finally, the St Annes staff and the woman who last cared for Agape before we came. These people are all so wonderful, and we have loved knowing them!
8. The slower pace. Well... OK, trust be told, I have a love/hate relationship with this. I would like to be a little more busy and go for a MAJOR RUN, but hey, I could use some down time in my life, so I have been trying to embrace it. But honestly, this has allowed for some GREAT bonding time with Agape and lots of fun time building relationships with the other families. I cannot remember another time in my life recently where I literally had NO agenda for this long. CRAZY! It has been hard by good to get on Africa time. But I can definitely get on board with their punctuality, or lack thereof! By Congo standards, I am ridiculously early for things, which is probably the only time in life when this will be true, so I better enjoy it! LOL
7. Going shopping. OK, this subject deserves its own separate post in and of itself. Shopping is a PROCESS and it is crazy! If you cannot be tough, the peddlers will drain you dry. Getting a decent price and making a successful purchase is an art form! It actually gets kinds fun... I'll write about it sometime! But we go to the market down the road at least once a day, and it is definitely one of the highlights of my day, since I get to "get out" from the walls for a bit. Feels good to be on the move a little bit!!!!
6. The predictability. My in-room concerts every day in the afternoon and evening. The dog fight outside our room at midnight every night. The men who desperately try to see us many things every time we walk through the front door of the guest house. Breakfast with friends each morning... loso, leepah, betah-ne, or pizza with every meal! A trip to the market in the afternoon. Agape's long nap. Evenings with the kids all together. There is an order and rhythm to our days now, and it is nice.
5. The weather: 80some degrees in the day, 70some degrees at night. Every day and night. And very few places have air conditioning to freeze me with! This summer girl is in her glory! :) The sun is warm, the rains are not bad, and We get to resurrect all of our fave summer clothes to wear. SCORE! In the day, the backyard under the shade trees is the place to be. It is so cool with a little breeze drifting along and lizards climbing the trees. Very pleasant!
4. Learning Lingala. The language really is quite beautiful. An odd mixture between French and Swahili. It has the smoothness of French, but the fun swahili syllables that bounce back an forth inside your mouth. The mannerisms and tones that surround the speaking is the best part. These girls are so funny when they talk, and Dan and I have learned so much about how to speak Lingala, so we have been thankful for the ability to immerse ourselves in something new!
3. Hearing the girls speak Lingala amongst themselves... they sound so funny! They babble on and on with each other in very animated ways, using all kinds of sounds and body language, just as the adults do. These girls could go and barter at the Old Market, I am sure! It will be sad for me to not be able to listen to this anymore. I pray that Agape does not totally lose it. It is a treasure, and I am sad that after these next few days I will probably never see my daughter speaking fluently - naturally - in her native tongue again.
2. The FRUIT! Bananas, mangoes, papaya, avocado, pineapple.... all FRESH CUT locally. Amazing taste sweetness. It gets no better people. The flavor is just ROCKIN. Not looking forward to going back to the land of "fall-winter" UGH. Love me some fresh tropical fruits!!!!
1. NUMBER 1 MOST AWESOME THING: Today was the first day with ZERO meltdowns or tantrums! No crying! No pouting! It was amazing. ALL SMILES AND SINGING AND LAUGHTER! Agape stayed with Dan while I went to market, we played memory, colored, played, and ate with friends without pitching a fit about something. She responded well to BOTH Dan and I both when we gave directions, and she was - dare I say - happy and obedient today! How awesome! We both can tell that we have really gained a lot of her trust now, and she knows that we mean business when ask her to do something. That being said... she will probably test our limits tomorrow, BUT the fact remains that today was just plain fun. We love seeing her so happy and beginning to trust our love as parents. THIS is what it's all about people. :)
Happy Wednesday to you all! God bless!
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