So far, I've been in Kinshasa for the past two nights and this is the first time that I've been able to post. Since I do not know how long I will have behind the embassy computers, I'm going to write as much as possible and continue at a different time.
I touched down in Kinshasa around 6:05pm on the 19th. Because we are just south of Equator, the sun sets well before this time. Coupled with the absence of street lights, the city streets are incredibly dark. Right before entering Immigration, one of the agents saw that I was an American, took me aside to a room for questioning. To my surprise, they were incredibly concerned about the Swine Flu incidents in the US. As a possible carrier of the virus, I was of particular interest to them. This is extremely ironic because the DRC has Ebola, Malaria, Yellow Fever and a whole host of other illnesses more dangerous than the Swine Flu.
At any rate, I was cleared by their health services and by the immigration counter (the agent behind the counter was so pleased that Obama was the first Black US president that I think he expedited the process when he found that I was American).
The car ride from the airport to my housing compound was 45 minutes-not because the airport is far from the city (I think its only 18 km or around 11 miles away) but because the roads were terrible. 4 wheel drive was absolutely necessary especially where the roads had enormous craters.
I really want to take some pictures to show you what I'm seeing. Apparently in the DRC all photography of public installations is illegal. If I am caught taking pictures by a soldier or a plain clothes officer, my camera will be confiscated and I risk being jailed. I asked an embassy worker whether this is enforced and she said that it was --not so much because they are doing their jobs but because they often want the cameras for themselves. When I was in the airport, I did manage to take a few photos to show you how busy the terminals were. Unfortunately, it is forbidden to add flash drives or any disks to embassy computers. As soon as I get to a non-embassy computer, I will upload them. Sigh...So many hurdles. In my next post, I will update you about my evening with the ambassador and deputy chief of mission, as well as my summer project.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Visa Headaches
When I finished my last post, it was almost as if I presaged that acquiring a visa was going to be an issue. Little did I realize how true this was going to be.
In order to get a visa one needs to have all the required immunization shots documented on the International World Health Organization yellow card, an invitation from the country (or a statement of purpose from the organization where the passport holder will work), and a valid passport. Most importantly--of course--is the check. The DRC embassy in Washington receive all this (and a return envelope) on the 11th.
Typically, they process the visa in 3 days and they mail it back quickly. My visa request should have been "text-book"--incredibly easy. However, by the 15th I went on fedex.com to see if the passport with the visa was getting ready to be mailed and it was no where to be found in the system. Keep in mind that I'm leaving on Monday the 18th and mail does not run on the 17th.
I called the DRC embassy in Washington and with the best French I could muster, I left a message on their answering machine asking for the status of my visa request. By this time, I was so annoyed with the embassy--when they are not being rude, they are busy ignoring my phone calls. Sigh.
I decided to call on the big guns --the US State Department.
I notified the intern coordinator (who also told me that the DRC embassy rarely returns calls). She called the US desk officer for the DRC who then called their DRC embassy contact. It was through this channel I discovered that the DRC embassy, in fact issued the visa ON THE 12th. BUT, they LOST my return envelope and decided not to call for assistance. They knew that I was leaving on the 18th but made not effort to return the documents. If it wasn't for the desk officer sternly asking for them to make my application a priority, I would not have a passport or visa for the trip.
When all was said and done, I received my passport this morning by overnight delivery.
Lesson learned: When an embassy says 3 days, this presupposes that they have already called you when they lost your return envelope or that they have already been prodded by US officials.
In other news, I just found out that I'm going to share a two bedroom apartment by the Congo River (pictures WILL DEFINITELY be coming soon). Pots, pans, sheets, towels, will all be provided. All I'll need to do is go grocery shopping. I'll probably do that the second day. I will also have a fellow intern....competition...just playing=).
If any of you have questions or want to know anything in particular, please leave your comments. I'll address them in my updates.
Until next time...
In order to get a visa one needs to have all the required immunization shots documented on the International World Health Organization yellow card, an invitation from the country (or a statement of purpose from the organization where the passport holder will work), and a valid passport. Most importantly--of course--is the check. The DRC embassy in Washington receive all this (and a return envelope) on the 11th.
Typically, they process the visa in 3 days and they mail it back quickly. My visa request should have been "text-book"--incredibly easy. However, by the 15th I went on fedex.com to see if the passport with the visa was getting ready to be mailed and it was no where to be found in the system. Keep in mind that I'm leaving on Monday the 18th and mail does not run on the 17th.
I called the DRC embassy in Washington and with the best French I could muster, I left a message on their answering machine asking for the status of my visa request. By this time, I was so annoyed with the embassy--when they are not being rude, they are busy ignoring my phone calls. Sigh.
I decided to call on the big guns --the US State Department.
I notified the intern coordinator (who also told me that the DRC embassy rarely returns calls). She called the US desk officer for the DRC who then called their DRC embassy contact. It was through this channel I discovered that the DRC embassy, in fact issued the visa ON THE 12th. BUT, they LOST my return envelope and decided not to call for assistance. They knew that I was leaving on the 18th but made not effort to return the documents. If it wasn't for the desk officer sternly asking for them to make my application a priority, I would not have a passport or visa for the trip.
When all was said and done, I received my passport this morning by overnight delivery.
Lesson learned: When an embassy says 3 days, this presupposes that they have already called you when they lost your return envelope or that they have already been prodded by US officials.
In other news, I just found out that I'm going to share a two bedroom apartment by the Congo River (pictures WILL DEFINITELY be coming soon). Pots, pans, sheets, towels, will all be provided. All I'll need to do is go grocery shopping. I'll probably do that the second day. I will also have a fellow intern....competition...just playing=).
If any of you have questions or want to know anything in particular, please leave your comments. I'll address them in my updates.
Until next time...
Saturday, May 9, 2009
This is the inaugural post for "The Elegant Pen." Through this blog, I want to lay out an in-depth account of all the details of my trip to the Congo (even the mundane things). I have about 9 days before I leave and I thought I would just share what I've been doing to get ready.
But before I begin, I guess I should share a little bit about myself and what I hope to accomplish overseas.
I'm a Public Policy Senior (as of April 28th) at the University of Michigan with a focus on International Security. Ever since, I was in middle school, I've been fascinated with learning about different cultures; as a result I've jumped at almost every opportunity to travel overseas. This has taken me to Australia and countries within Africa, and Europe.
In my latest voyage, I'm going to be working as an intern with the US State Department in an embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I'm unsure of what my duties will entail but I do know that I'll be working with the economics section. As I learn more about my assignments, I'll let you guys know.
Preparation for this trip has been pretty stressful especially during the finals season at school. The big things were the flight arrangements, the health insurance, the immunizations, and the visa.
After three tries, the State Dept and I decided on the dates May 19th through August 2rd (with May 18th and August 3rd as travel days).
It was only after these dates were established that I could purchase the university health insurance plan. The most important aspects of this plan are the "Medical Evacuation" insurance and the "Expatriation of Remains" insurance. I had a fun time explain both of these to my father. Basically, if I get sick or injured, chances are the medical facilities in Kinshasa will not be able to adequately treat me. In this case, I need to be transported to another country probably Kenya (Nairobi) for treatment. This could be a costly affair so my insurance covers up to $250k. In the case that I die (I know, what a morbid thought), my remains would need to be expatriated back to the United States; this is covered up to $10k.
Immunizations were next on the slate. Contracting diseases in tropical nations is like jumping onto a buffet line. You can get your fair share of one illness or all. I was fairly up to date with my Measles, Mumps and Rubella as well as my Diphtheria and Tetanus shots. Yellow Fever was a must. So was Malaria. My arms have been sore for the past few days...
Lastly, I needed to get my visa. This proved to be an interesting adventure. The DRC formerly Zaire used to be called a "Kleptocracy" or a government whose ruler or ruling class treats their treasury as their personal bank account" (according to Wikipedia). Perhaps it is out of that culture, that they charged me $190 for a visa. I decided to call the DRC embassy in America for additional visa information. After several attempts, I received an officer who was critical of my French and impatient with my questions. Suffice to say, my questions remained unanswered and I decided to go with my "gut." I'm still awaiting their reply on the visa...
That's been about it so far. I've been brushing up on my French and I've been reading up on Congolese politics. I expect to do a lot of on-the-job training though.
I'll keep everyone posted on updates.
But before I begin, I guess I should share a little bit about myself and what I hope to accomplish overseas.
I'm a Public Policy Senior (as of April 28th) at the University of Michigan with a focus on International Security. Ever since, I was in middle school, I've been fascinated with learning about different cultures; as a result I've jumped at almost every opportunity to travel overseas. This has taken me to Australia and countries within Africa, and Europe.
In my latest voyage, I'm going to be working as an intern with the US State Department in an embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I'm unsure of what my duties will entail but I do know that I'll be working with the economics section. As I learn more about my assignments, I'll let you guys know.
Preparation for this trip has been pretty stressful especially during the finals season at school. The big things were the flight arrangements, the health insurance, the immunizations, and the visa.
After three tries, the State Dept and I decided on the dates May 19th through August 2rd (with May 18th and August 3rd as travel days).
It was only after these dates were established that I could purchase the university health insurance plan. The most important aspects of this plan are the "Medical Evacuation" insurance and the "Expatriation of Remains" insurance. I had a fun time explain both of these to my father. Basically, if I get sick or injured, chances are the medical facilities in Kinshasa will not be able to adequately treat me. In this case, I need to be transported to another country probably Kenya (Nairobi) for treatment. This could be a costly affair so my insurance covers up to $250k. In the case that I die (I know, what a morbid thought), my remains would need to be expatriated back to the United States; this is covered up to $10k.
Immunizations were next on the slate. Contracting diseases in tropical nations is like jumping onto a buffet line. You can get your fair share of one illness or all. I was fairly up to date with my Measles, Mumps and Rubella as well as my Diphtheria and Tetanus shots. Yellow Fever was a must. So was Malaria. My arms have been sore for the past few days...
Lastly, I needed to get my visa. This proved to be an interesting adventure. The DRC formerly Zaire used to be called a "Kleptocracy" or a government whose ruler or ruling class treats their treasury as their personal bank account" (according to Wikipedia). Perhaps it is out of that culture, that they charged me $190 for a visa. I decided to call the DRC embassy in America for additional visa information. After several attempts, I received an officer who was critical of my French and impatient with my questions. Suffice to say, my questions remained unanswered and I decided to go with my "gut." I'm still awaiting their reply on the visa...
That's been about it so far. I've been brushing up on my French and I've been reading up on Congolese politics. I expect to do a lot of on-the-job training though.
I'll keep everyone posted on updates.
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