Didn't want most of you to worry, but had been planning on crossing the Congo. Not stupid enough to do it alone, found another brave soul. That's why I've been sticking around this area for so long, waiting for him to get here. And now, 2wks before he was to arrive, changed my mind.

For those of you that don't know, the Congo has suffered from a child-like government since its independence 50yrs ago. While the rest of the world's modernizing, the DRC has descended back to the stone age. The jungle has eaten the roads, corrupt officials stolen the money needed to fix broken electrical systems & even the famous Congo river doesn't transport much anymore because the government no longer dredges the sand barriers. There's no transport. No electricity. And at least 4 major rebel groups vying for control of the valuable diamond, gold & cobalt mines. And because of these rebels, about 1,200 people dieing EVERYDAY. Plus this lovely place has an active tribe of cannibals. Needless to say, it's now one of the world's top 10 most dangerous countries.

Sounds like a delightful holiday no?

But it did to me. Was willing to risk life & limb to find out first hand what is actually happening there. Wanted to be one of the few whites people had ever talked to. Wanted to spend weeks on a cargo boat floating down the Congo River.

But then read the book "Blood River" by a guy that just did this same trip. And basically he spent all his time with other white people. Not by choice. But because the white aid workers are the only ones that have any form of transport from city to city. And he had to sleep at churches & UN offices because the locals are too scared to have a white person staying with them less the rebels find out & rob the local family. And again, the river isn't even transporting goods or people anymore.

Finally decided with all the reasons I wanted to go gone, it just wasn't worth taking the risk. (So my friend, stop sending me emails "Don't go to the fucking Congo!")