Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The sun finally came out around the 31 kilometres from Kananga. Vehicles were
such a rare occurrence, that when they did pass me, I wrote them down in my journal as
a sighting. To illustrate how slow these vehicles moved on these roads, a truck passed me
withlessthan20kilometrestogo.Icaughtuptothetruck5kilometreslaterandneversaw
it again.
The road which took me into Kananga was lined with lampposts and was littered
with potholes. I also had to contend with the influx of the town's motorized vehicles.
Father Jules'smap helped me locate the place where Ihad to deliver the second let-
ter. As I cycled by the immigration office, an official stopped me and said that I must enter
the building. He wrote down my visa information and pointed out that my visa was to ex-
piresoon.HesuggestedthatIreturnthenextdaytorenewit.WhenItoldhimthatmyplan
wastogothenextdaytoMbujiMayi,thenextbigtown,hesaidthatIcouldrenewitthere,
as well.
One of the contacts the Canadian Embassy gave me back in Kinshasa was of a Ca-
nadianfamily,theDerksenswhowereworkinginKananga'sInter-MennoniteMission.So,
afterleavingtheimmigration office,IheadedtotheirhometoleavemynamethatIarrived
in the town. I wanted to do this so if I went missing, the Canadian Embassy would know
where I had last been. When I arrived at his home, I knocked on the gate and a little boy
answered. I asked him if Richard Derksen lived here and he said yes. I asked him if it was
possible for me to speak with him. He looked at me and retreated back into the house. As
I waited outside the gate, I noticed massive buckets everywhere under the eaves troughs
ready to catch rainwater.
Richard came out and invited me in. He introduced me to his three children Erica,
Jeremiah and Karina. We chatted about my tour and his work and then asked if I wanted
some spaghetti. My eyes shot opened. 'Spaghetti' was my middle name. I had a plate of
it and the best homemade bread. Richard invited me to stay in his home for as long as I
wished. I thanked him for his offer and only expected to spend the night.
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