Destination: Where to Eat, Dance and Play in Kinshasa

Sunset over the Congo River

Kinshasa is surprisingly very busy in the day, alive at night and very expensive.  When I was told the daily allowance was over $100 I thought "no way I will need all of that!"  Wrong.  You can easily spend that amount when eating, dancing and playing in Kinshasa.  But it is worth it!  While the local currency is the Congolese franc ($1 = 920 franc) the US dollar is widely accepted around Kinshasa.  Taxi service is a bit high.  My colleague who speaks French negotiated pricing for us each night.  We paid an average of $20 for a round trip. 

While there is a large expat community the restaurants, bars or clubs were never fully 'packed.'  Every location could also boast of a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.  Many locations provided open gardens to sit, relax, eat or have a drink.  When you go out allow 2 - 2.5 hours for dining.  Service is 'relaxed' (we will not slow) and for the most part, as you will read below, the food was worth the wait.  Finally, advice for fellow non-French speakers:  when you are out and about the main language will be French.  While Kinshasa is a large city populated with business owners, students and expats, do not expect service or menus in English.

Without further delay, please experience Kinshasa with me, through words and photos, in part II of my destination blog, Kinshasa, DRC.

PLACES TO EAT:

•  Fleuve Congo Hotel:  My colleague and I are staying at the Fleuve Congo Hotel.  This is a business hotel with large rooms and meeting facilities.  There is also a gym, nice size pool as well as a billards room.  You can eat food at the bar, in the lounge located off the lobby as well as their restaurant.  Note, even though the website names 2 additional restaurants, these restaurants are actually closed and have been for a year.  The food is average and highly priced.  The dinner buffet is $55 per person with very little variety.  The chicken cordon bleu is nice and they do have a nice wine selection.  Main course a la carte will range from $25 - $50 per person.  A bottle of their house wine (a French Merlot) will cost you $40. 

  

  Lobby of Fleuve Congo Hotel

  

  Entertainment after work in the lobby of the Fleuve Congo Hotel

• Pizzeria v Pizzeria - Limoncello and O'Poeta:  When in Africa OF COURSE you must have pizza (sarcasm).  Both of these places were highly recommended so my colleague and I decided to venture outside of the hotel for a cheaper meal. 
• O'Poeta has a sports bar atmosphere and is popular with expats.  The pizza is large enough for two and reasonably priced.  There is also quite a large variety.  The ingredients are fresh with finely sliced tomatoes being used at the base instead of a sauce. Two pizzas, five beers and two after dinner cocktails cost us $80.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Limoncello wins, hands down! The atmosphere is lively and the pizza is delicious!  This is not only a great place to enjoy the company of friends, colleagues but also to bring a date.  You have an option of eating inside or outside on a large patio.  There is also a very nice wine list and might I suggest sorbet for dessert.  The pizza is big enough to share with another person and so dinner, plus a nice bottle of Chianti with dessert cost us $90. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Grand Hotel offers a small restaurant alongside their pool with a live band during the week.  In addition to wood-fire pizzas this restaurant also offers beef, chicken and fish kabobs.  There is also a light snack menu available as well.  Nice place to go for a drink and light dinner.  The prices are pretty high - dinner for 2 plus beers cost us $100. 

The kabobs were also delicious!

• Chez Philo: This was one of our favorites with two visits in one weekend!  The reviews you find online are accurate.  Reasonably priced HIGH QUALITY food!  While my colleague enjoyed the tender beef brochette, both times I enjoyed "filet pur de boeuf" - "pure beef filet" (which, even cooked well, I could cut with a butter knife), topped with peppercorn sauce, rice on the side.  We also enjoyed a nice bottle of French wine each time:  Medoc the first evening and a Bordeaux Superior the second time around.  Dinner for two, plus a bottle wine as well as an additional glass each cost us $90. 
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Table cloth embellishment

  
  

  

  Butter knife is all you need ...

• Chez Maman Colonel:  This was our favorite!  Chez Maman Colonel is known for it's rotisserie chicken.  It is made to order so we waited 30 minutes but when we received our meal it was worth the wait!  The meat was tender, well flavored, juicy, succulent ... the skin was perfectly crispy which I was not expecting.  We demolished our meals!  Dinner for two, plus a bottle of wine cost us $80.  The location is a 15 minute drive from our hotel but I wish I had the time to return for the grilled fish ... I can only dream *food sigh* next time! 
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Grilled plantains

  
  

  

  The BEST chicken I have ever tasted! (Sorry Mom)

  

  Demolished ... #nothingbutbonesleft

• La Piscine: Specializing in Grecian food, was quite good and much better than Eros (not blogged because it was pretty blah).  We ordered quite a few appetizers, bottles of white wine and main courses.  The atmosphere was peaceful.  On Sundays this restaurant is popular with families who bring their children to splash around in the pool while they await their food.  For four people:  2 bottles of wine, 3 apertifs, 5 appetizers, 4 main courses and 2 salads our bill was $300.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Taramosalata - Carp Roe spread made with cured cod eggs

  
  

  

  White cheese with cucumber and wild onion

  
  

  

  Warm baguette with cheese and olive oil

  
  

  

  Spicy prawns

Bon apetit!

DANCE & PLAY:

• Jazz Bar at Fleuve Hotel: Boring!  Seriously, skip it.  The only time I spent there was for an after dinner drink with my colleague.  
• Fiesta Club:  Should be named "Siesta" - snooze!  The club was empty at 1am and I know why - the DJ is horrendous, spinning old, lame 80s and 90s ballads (think Eric Clapton, not Jodeci).  Also, you can only buy wine by the bottle and it is old.  When we tried to have it replaced they offered cheap cognac in it's place. 
  
• Club Ntemba:  A great place to hear and dance to local music!  Fun crowd, large dance floor and great music.  This is a place you must visit if you are ever in Kinshasa over the weekend. 
  

• Kwilu Bar: I have mixed feelings about this bar.  On the one hand it plays great music from 70s to present (think everything from The Gap Band, Earth, Wind and Fire to Michael Jackson, Prince to R.Kelly, Jodeci and present skipping Justin Beiber and One Direction *thank God*).  Great energy and popular.  On the other hand it is popular with expats who get pretty drunk.  It is a great place to start the night and once you have hopped around and are pretty drunk a great place to end the night as well.  Warning:  at the end of the night those expats will be barefoot and doing swing to every song, including a R. Kelly ballad LOL  
  
  
  

  

  A local beer which I quite enjoy

Enjoy other photos I snapped while in Kinshasa, DRC below.  Merci! XO 

2nd Annual Art Expo in Kinshasa

View from a small local restaurant's rooftop

#100happydays

100 days ago I challenged myself to find something to appreciate in each and every day.  It did not have to be a 'big' something, simply something that made me smile that day, something that brought me personal joy.  I admit some days were harder than others.  Some days I really had to reach deep down and say "Oh in that one second today I was happy..."

I realized I know what makes me happy and simply need to do more of it!  The top five things that make me happy? -

Loving the mothers in my family!

Good times with Paul Scott and Afua

• Being with my family and friends:  I am blessed to have my family nearby so I visit them every weekend when I am home.  I have found that I prefer unwinding during a weekend with my family preferable over getting dressed up and being 'turnt up'.  Besides, not being in the streets on Saturday nights means I am at church on Sunday morning haha While I am able to sometimes stream services from my home church (depending on connectivity while on travel), there is nothing like being in the presence of, worshiping and learning with my Grace church family.  And of course, dinner, drinks and catch up with my friends is always a good time. 

  

  Keli and Dawn coming to VA to celebrate July 4th

• Getting two hour massages:  Who does not love a good massage?  And a two hour massage is even better!  Before and after long flights I take the time out for a nice 2-hour medium pressure massage.  I am a member of Massage Envy, paying $59 each month.  The $59 membership = 1 hour massage per month.  This means I pay an additional $59 on the day of my visit for the extra hour and it is worth it!  And when I am on travel I definitely take advantage of massage prices abroad (ranging between $20 - $50 for 1 hour).  Massages are not only great for relaxing but as my therapist advised they are good for overall health:  reducing or eliminating pain, improving joint mobility, improving circulation (important after long international flights), improving immune system function (important in blocking illness while traveling), reducing depression and anxiety (happy days) and reducing tension within muscles. 

  

  Massage time!

• Dancing:  If you know me then you know dancing makes me happy.  There is nothing that makes me feel happier than being on the dance floor and then leaving it in the wee hours of the morning. 
  

Fun in Cote d'Ivoire

• Experiencing culture outside of my own:  During the last 100 days I have traveled to 7 different countries (South Africa, Zambia, Dominican Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Burundi, Holland and DRC) three of them new to me (Zambia, Burundi and DRC)!  What a blessing it has been to learn something new in each country, meet new people, see old friends in addition to enjoying food, music and experiences I would not otherwise experience in the United States.  These travels not only contributed to my professional but also to my personal growth.  My advice to everyone reading this - save your money, plan the time, obtain a passport if you do not have one and travel!  The way you view people, cultures, politics, etc. will never be the same.  Your mind will slowly begin to open and there is no way you would be willing to have it closed again. 

  

  Beach club in Burundi

  
  

  

  A day long trek in Utrecht, Holland

Smiles from Zambia

• Improving my physical health:  Good health = happiness.  This is a journey which started December 26, 2012 and is on-going.  During these 100 days I found myself looking for alternative ways to decrease stress (exercise instead of glasses of wine), making sure I sleep at least 6 hours a night (if jet lag is not an issue), trying different physical activities (hikes, barre classes and longer bouts of cardio) as well as cooking more often when I am home.  These small changes have allowed me to see changes in a positive way with pounds and inches lost.  If my nutritionist has his way I have 20 - 25 more pounds to lose (he keeps moving the goal post hmm).  I am not looking to weigh or look the same as I did when I was 18 but I am looking to be happier in how I FEEL physically.  Looking better in my clothes is also a bonus! 
  

Today I completed the challenge and I learned that I OWN my happiness.  I need to do something, see someone, say something each and every day that brings me inner joy, makes ME smile.  I also learned to take care of myself spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.  This sometimes meant saying "no" to others, having to sometimes skip an event, a meeting at work or a trip to make time for what was important to me.  Find my "me time", not over extend myself at the cost of my health and happiness, take the time to think about what makes me happy.  True friends understood and work will always be there. If you have not taken on this challenge, I suggest you do.  Hopefully, this blog entry and some of the photos will be an inspiration.  A very special, happy thank you to each and every person that brought a smile to my face during these #100happydays. 

Some of many smiles captured during my #100happydays challenge

Destination: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Bonjour from my 13th African country -- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)!  I will admit my
American ignorance:  when I was first confirmed for this trip and people inquired where I will be going I simply replied "Congo" as I thought "1) they will not know what I mean by DRC and 2) to state Democratic Republic of Congo is way too long ..." It was not until my arrival and in discussions with my colleagues that I realized Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo are two different countries!  This is the blessing of travel - you are constantly being educated outside of what you know and learn in your home / comfort zone.  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo are neighbors, with the DRC being the larger of the two countries and Republic of Congo to its west. The flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is blue with a yellow star to the top left corner. The flag is split diagonally by a red stripe with a thin yellow frame.  The color red represents the sacrifices of the national heroes, while the yellow represents the country's opulence and wealth; the star is a symbol of hope and ambition for the country and the blue field represents peace and harmony.

When I first heard about this area of the world I was about 10 or 11 years old.  The only girl in a neighborhood full of boys, I was excited when our new neighbors included another female - Sele.  She was older than me, about 13 or 14, taller, thin, beautiful dark, smooth skin and she was always smiling.  She was 1 of 3 siblings, from Zaire (now DRC), adopted by an interracial American couple.  We were instant friends and would spend hours talking on our porch or at her dining room table trying new dishes she would cook for her family.  She and her brothers would describe their country, the food, the dances and I would listen closely, imagining every detail as I never thought I would see that region of the world for myself.  23+ years later, here I am, in Kinshasa.  Today I am learning even more about DRC from colleagues and people I meet in the hotel lobby, at the pizzeria or at the bar having a drink.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DRC:

• DRC is the ancestral homeland for over 200 ethnic groups!
• DRC is quite large measuring almost 1/4 the size of the United States.  
• There is only approximately 300 miles of paved road in DRC.  Many goods, therefore, are transported via air.
• DRC's wealth can be attributed to its natural resources, which includes but is not limited to:  oil, diamonds, gold, silver, coal and timber.
• Based on a recent study conducted by WHO, only 2% of the country's population is infected with / being treated for HIV/AIDS.  This is lower than even the Washington DC area (at 3.2%, CDC) in the United States! 

BONOBOS:

When you are in DRC you must visit Lola ya Bonobo.  Founded by Claudine Andre in 1994, Lola ya Bonobo is the world's only sanctuary for orphaned bonobos.  Lola ya Bonobo's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and then release the bonobos back into the wild where they will hopefully replenish the population in the forest areas of DRC where they are becoming extinct.  Interesting facts about bonobos:

• Bonobos are only found in one country - DRC.
• Bonobos are becoming extinct, rapidly.  In 1980, 100,000 bonobos were reported living in DRC.  Today only approximately 10,000 - 20,000 remaining.  One of the reasons bonobos are becoming extinct is because of the bush meat trade.  Their meat is considered a delicacy for which they are being slaughtered.  Another reason is that female bonobos only give birth every 5 - 6 years.  Deforestation is also a contributor to these animals becoming extinct.

• Humans share 98.7% of our DNA with bonobos!  Their brains are highly developed, they also have five fingers on each hand and are able to walk long distances standing up right, walking on their two feet.  Interestingly, during our visit the guide communicated in French with responses from the bonobos!  In one example the guide threw sugar cane for their dessert.  One of the closes bonobos caught the sugar cane and while he peeled the skin away the guide yelled "bon appetit!" to which the bonobo looked up, gave a toothy smile, nodded and then went back to the sugar cane!

  

  4 year old bonobo male enjoying a snack.  In the bonobo nursery a local woman will always be present while bonobos are awake.  Orphaned bonobos in the nursery need a female presence or they will cry in loneliness and agony.

  
  

  

  Look at that expression!

  
  

  

  One may wonder what this male bonobo is pontificating :)

• Very unique in the animal kingdom and to bonobos is that the FEMALE bonobos are in charge!  HBIC haha If a male bonobo becomes aggressive, the female bonobos surround him and block him from hurting the bonobo to which he is showing aggression.  The males can even be punished for 'bad' behavior which is usually a hard bite administered by one of the females.  If one female is having an issue with a male in the group, she will let out a loud cry and the other females will come running!  During our visit one of the male bonobos had a plastic bottle which one of the females wanted.  He ran up the hill to get away with the bottle, she let out the 'war cry' and before you knew it the male bonobo gave up the fight and gave the bottle to the female bonobo!  Smart male! haha

• Bonobos are very peaceful and interestingly have never been seen to kill one of its own.  How do they keep the peace?  They "make love, not war" - literally.  To diffuse tension, anxiety, stress or irritation bonobos engage in sexual contact, rubbing their genitals together.   This as well as sex occurs indiscriminately, regardless of age or sex.  

Enjoy photos from DRC and our visit to the Bonobo sanctuary below:

4 year old bonobo quenching his thirst

"Bonobo Beach"

Mid-hiking photo op during visit to Bonobo ya Lola

Part II of my adventure will be detailed in the next blog entry:  Destination:  Where to Eat, Dance and Play in Kinshasa. 

Destination: Utrecht, Netherlands

Usually when I am in Holland for a long weekend, leading to a day or two at the office in Woerden, I stay in Amsterdam.  Holland, Amsterdam, both have quite a bit to offer (Destination: Holland) but this time my friend, Marcel, convinced me to stay in Utrecht.

INTERESTING FACTS about Utrecht:

• In 2012, the Archbishop of Utrecht was created a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony in Rome’s St Peter’s Basilica.  
• It is also the home of The University of Utrecht, the largest university in the Netherlands. 
• In 2015, Utrecht will host the Grand Start of the Tour de France! 
  
  
  
  

SITE-SEEING:  Lombok & City Center

I stayed at NH Utrecht which was conveniently located near the train station and in walking distance of the city center.   After a long flight, shower and a nap I decided to put on my ADIDAS to take a walk around Utrecht.   My friend, Marcel, was going to meet me in the center of town.  I took a wrong turn and ended up walking along Kanaalstraat located in the center of the multicultural district of Lombok.  When I realized I was lost, nowhere near the city center, I advised Marcel of my location and he told me Lombok was a known Turkish, Moroccan and Iranian neighborhood.  There was fresh produce, bread, pastries and herbs being sold on block corners.  It was clear this was a close knit community where families were shopping for fresh food, store owners were outside their shops talking, the scent of fresh bread in the air ... it was nice.  I need to see more of this neighborhood on my next visit ...

I eventually found Marcel and we walked to the city center.  As we walked the first thing I noticed was a tall church tower.  Marcel told me this was the Dom Tower.  The Dom Tower is the highest and oldest church tower in Holland, understandably Utrecht's main landmark, standing at the spot where the city of Utrecht originated almost 2,000 years ago. The Dom Tower was built between 1321 and 1382 and is over 360 feet high (Marcel had the NERVE to suggest we climb the tower - this did NOT happen).  Originally, the Dom Tower was attached to be attached to the main body of the church which was under construction at the time.  However, in 1647 the Dom Tower became separated from the uncompleted nave after a tornado. The tower and main body of the church were never connected  While the tower also experienced damage and destruction was considered, it was decided to restore the tower, which took five years.  As a first time visitor, I cannot imagine the skyline of Utrecht without the Dom Tower.

After gazing up at the Dom Tower, Marcel and I "bumped" into Flora’s Hof nursery.  The nursery, ran by volunteers, is a small, serene escape in the middle of Utrecht.  With benches, beautiful flowers, surrounded by walls etched with depictions from the life of Saint Martin, the patron saint of the Dom and city.  This quiet garden has quite the history! The medieval Episcopal palace stood where the garden now grows.  The palace fell into disrepair and was finally demolished in 1803 leaving a fallow patch of land in the city center - now this beautiful garden.  It is free to visit, so I encourage you to take a book, sit, relax and enjoy the history and peace around you in Flora's Hof Nursery.

 

After a silent walk through Flora's Hof nursery, Marcel and I walked over to the Cathedral. Beautiful!  We walked into the courtyard, Pandhof, which is an idyllic monastery garden hidden between St. Martin's Cathedral and the University Hall. In the middle of the garden is a fountain with a bronze statue of the 14th-century canon (priest) Hugo Wstinc.  It was gorgeous! 

Of course there are the canals.  Since it was nice the entire weekend restaurants opened their doors, placed tables and chairs outside of guests looking to relax, eat and people watch.  Utrecht was easy to walk and I explored the city by foot with my friend walking over 17 miles!

Pedestrian lanes are quite a bit smaller than bike lanes

10pm in Utrecht

It is smaller than Amsterdam but offers shopping, a rich history, breath-taking architect, fun bars and nightlife.  If you are looking to experience Holland, without the crowds, tourists, overly priced restaurants, please visit Utrecht.  Anytime I am able to have a long layover in Holland, I will be staying in Utecht.

Thank you Marcel for walking me around! XO