Saturday, 13 November

I am having a good weekend in Beni - just enjoying the good weather. This weekend was longer than usual - we had a holiday on Friday as it was the end of Ramadan - and this is the United Nations...

This has been a better-than-average week - making it more difficult for me to end my contract. My decision has not been made easier by the senior UN management in Kinshasa (the capital of Congo) calling me to see "what they can do to get me to stay" (again)... Like I said - my decision is made!

Today I read a good article on the BBC website; it features Beni - the town where I work. The link is: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/
from_our_own_correspondent/4006501.stm

Thursday, 11 November

I have been back in Congo for one month already - although it does not feel like it. My time here is going very quickly.

Today I sent my letter informing of my wish to end my contract - later, as I was cooking dinner I got a phone call from the Political Affairs Department to find out why I had chosen to leave and to see what they could do to get me to stay! Well, my decision is made...

Today the office was visited by a big United Nations military delegation - including two of my compatriots. I am the only Englishman working for the UN in North Kivu, so it is not so often that I get to see other English.

As I write, I am listening to live French radio - it is good to hear from the outside World and not to have to listen to Congolese music!

You too can listen on: http://cache.yacast.fr/V4/nostalgie/
microplayer/nostalgie_micro_main.html?id=nostalgie

This week I received an invitation from the British Embassy to a concert in Kinshasa (almost half a continent away from where I work)! The invitation arrived nearly a month late - better late than never... anyway, it was good to receive a letter marked 'On Her Majesty's Service'. Good to know HMQE2 has not forgotten me out here in the jungle!

Yesterday I bought a couple of Congolese sculptures - I am busy accumulating souvenirs of my stay here, though I don't know how they will fit in to the decor of my home...