We have been stuck here in Pointe Noire for ten days now and counting. The process of attaining an Angolan visa is way trickier than we had anticipated, and even when (if) we get the visas there is no telling whether or not it will work out at the Cabinda border. There seems to be a disconnect between Angolan immigration law and what the Angola Consulate here is willing to do for us. Unfortunately, the process to obtain our visas has required a local influential contact and a lot of charming and pressuring. Supposedly we will have visas by tomorrow so that we can get back on track on the journey back towards South Africa. Supposedly.
The house we were staying in at first had to bounce us since it is a corporate house, so we ended up meeting a guy who runs a bar on the beach here in Pointe Noire who was happy to let us camp out for free. So, we are living at a bar for the time being. This has helped ease the pain: every morning we wake up to the ocean, a nice breeze, and have access to beers all day long to wash down our troubles. The folks running the bar are also great people and really love the idea behind the trip.
Everyone here in Pointe Noire has been exceptionally nice to us, in fact, and we've been invited for several bbq's around town. Most of our meals thus far have included dehydrated veggies, fried chicken and avocado sandwiches, so the good home cooked meals, wine, and desserts (as well as offers to let us shower and do laundry) has been more than appreciated.
We also happened to meet an Argentinian at the Angola Consulate who has been cycling around the world for about three years now. He's been all through the Americas, Europe and West Africa, and is now stuck in Pointe Noire as well as he figures out a way to get to Kinshasa, DRC to bike south to Lumbubashi, DRC--about 1500 kms. He is crazy. But his trip is incredible. He has a blog in spanish: http://www.africanbici.blogspot.com/
For now, I am slowing going crazy as we wait for the visas. Long hot days spent lazing about near the sea is surprisingly driving me mad--I want some excitement and change! By tomorrow we should hopefully know whether or not things are going to work out.
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2 comments:
Jen, I was watching my inbox to track your progress (hope you got all the emails I forwarded from Consulate folks), when it finally occurred to me to check your blog. Glad to hear you're safe even if slightly bored! Ten days on the beach? I should be lucky enough to be that bored! The entire Ingalls household is sick with flu (I'm into my 5th day) so it's just as well you're gone...
be safe and we love you!!
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