Today we are
going to see the monkeys at Lola Ya Bonobo (Paradise of the Bonobo). As we are
driving, I would like to make a few personal notes. Time means next to nothing
here, two hours late is common and “getting ready to go” may take all day. Some
streets are quite during the day and only come to life as a big party every
night. Girls wear high heels all the time, even to walk distances. At night it
is common to see girls dressed in club outfits, though generally less than what
I would consider classy. Also, watching people walking on the side of the
street, I notice many people with limps not from land mines as in other parts
of Africa but from polio, which is prevalent here. Walking, buses, taxis, and
some personal cars are the most common, except for these massive carts
sometimes stacked 10’ tall which men are pushing down the highway. There are so
many churches here and most people attend en masse on Sunday morning, yet this
seems to have little impact on crime, integrity, or work ethic.
And now…back to the monkey story.
We drive up and out of the city to Lukaya where the hills were lined with
raised terraces growing vegetables. At Bonobo, there are tall electric fences
to keep the in the monkeys. This place is like a sanctuary for the nearly
extinct species. We watched a lady feed orphaned babies, because they are
nursed until age 4. We decided to walk the steep paths of the sanctuary, seeing
only one monkey because it was getting hot, but the walk was worth it to see
the jungle greenery. Nancy, Clement’s friend, accompanied us and she is really
sweet. I only wish I could talk to her more.
After leaving the sanctuary, we
drove to Lac de Ma Vallee. It is a very peaceful lake surrounded by vegetation.
The road was very dusty due to the dry season, so although this may not be the
most beautiful time of year it has great weather and passable roads. One the
way back to Kinshasa, we passed a couple dust covered roads full of barefoot
but cute children. The traffic back was horrible, but Flory is a competent
driver even as he reassures me “don’t be afraid”. We dropped off Patrick at the
University to teach his classes and then at Clement’s Aunt’s house to leave the
material for her to make me some clothing.
Today we are
going to see the monkeys at Lola Ya Bonobo (Paradise of the Bonobo). As we are
driving, I would like to make a few personal notes. Time means next to nothing
here, two hours late is common and “getting ready to go” may take all day. Some
streets are quite during the day and only come to life as a big party every
night. Girls wear high heels all the time, even to walk distances. At night it
is common to see girls dressed in club outfits, though generally less than what
I would consider classy. Also, watching people walking on the side of the
street, I notice many people with limps not from land mines as in other parts
of Africa but from polio, which is prevalent here. Walking, buses, taxis, and
some personal cars are the most common, except for these massive carts
sometimes stacked 10’ tall which men are pushing down the highway. There are so
many churches here and most people attend en masse on Sunday morning, yet this
seems to have little impact on crime, integrity, or work ethic.
And now…back to the monkey story.
We drive up and out of the city to Lukaya where the hills were lined with
raised terraces growing vegetables. At Bonobo, there are tall electric fences
to keep the in the monkeys. This place is like a sanctuary for the nearly
extinct species. We watched a lady feed orphaned babies, because they are
nursed until age 4. We decided to walk the steep paths of the sanctuary, seeing
only one monkey because it was getting hot, but the walk was worth it to see
the jungle greenery. Nancy, Clement’s friend, accompanied us and she is really
sweet. I only wish I could talk to her more. 
After leaving the sanctuary, we
drove to Lac de Ma Vallee. It is a very peaceful lake surrounded by vegetation.
The road was very dusty due to the dry season, so although this may not be the
most beautiful time of year it has great weather and passable roads. One the
way back to Kinshasa, we passed a couple dust covered roads full of barefoot
but cute children. The traffic back was horrible, but Flory is a competent
driver even as he reassures me “don’t be afraid”. We dropped off Patrick at the
University to teach his classes and then at Clement’s Aunt’s house to leave the
material for her to make me some clothing. 
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