CAR CRASHES, ROCKET FIRE & LION HUNTING

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So a few things new and some that I hadn’t mentioned yet.

This morning I was woken by a helicopter taking off. I went out and

walked around and a bunch of soldiers wanted to take pictures with me.

They didn’t speak very good English and I’m not sure who they thought

I was (though since Schimer calls me “Daniel Craig” I wonder..)

Learned some more about what’s going on here. How the missions work.

Mostly rescue or aid missions, though unlike Rwanda in 1994, they have

a Chapter 7 Charter which means they can fire when necessary. In

Rwanda it was Chapter 6 which meant only if you were being shot at

could you shoot back. Tonight I saw the bullet hole in Kuljeet’s

chopper (as we played Ping Pong right next to it. :)

Around noon the clouds were forming high over the volcano, promising

rain (that never came) and thunder was booming. I was then informed

that that wasn’t thunder but ROCKET ATTACKS from about 10 miles away.

They pointed out the difference. Not quite as low and more continuous

sounding. Crazy.

I then talked with a guy who is from Kenya and as a test of manhood in

the Masai Tribe they actually go hunt lions. And he told of how he

and others went after a lion and he was the second one to strike it

with his spear which meant that he was not the new ruler of the tribe.

You had to be first. This still happens once every few years.

And that brings up the car crash…

Car crash you say. Craig, were you in a car crash in Africa?

No, I was not, so don’t fear.

However some of you reading this were.

After our fantastic gorilla trek and the great time with the singing

children, we loaded up in the cars to go. 3 of our crew and the guide

in training got in a Toyota Rav 4 and headed off. I was in a land

cruiser a minute or so behind and when we came around the first corner

there was debris all over the ground. And a moment later saw the Rav

4 Upside down and sideways blocking the 1 lane dirt road. We jumped

out and ran to check on everyone. 3 people were sitting on the

roadside, and Nigel (another trekker) and I came around the car and

there was red liquid all over the ground. “Oh shit”. We looked

inside and the car was empty. It was some sort of car fluid (thank

god). There was momentary chaos as people were helped. Fortunately

the injuries seemed not too serious. Cut fingers. Bruises. Bumps.

Dizziness. A scraped cheek. Scary, but lucky. As it turns out the

brakes failed just as they started down the hill. The driver didn’t

know what to do. They pulled the E-brake and then turned the car into

the cliff wall to stop it (smart, since the other side was a 300 foot

drop). The car caught and flipped, rolling over 3 1/2 times before

coming to a rest on its roof. The folks inside all thought “well,

this is it. I die now, here in Uganda”. When the car stopped, it sank

down crushing in the hood. One of them yelled “get out now” and they

all were out in moments.

I have video of people pushing the car back on it’s wheels. The thing

is totaled, but the people are okay, and that’s what matters most.

Scary as hell.

I’ve had some really good food here at the UN base. Indian and not

Indian dishes. It’s been so tasty and there are people serving tea

and water constantly. That’s how it works in the Indian Army. They

even did my laundry!

Well, I think I’ve caught you all up on most everything. The

adventure continues tomorrow with a UN truck trip to Kigali, Rwanda

and a visit to the Genocide memorial. Then it’s off to Kenya for some

wildlife and a very different part of Africa.

Thanks for reading.

Stay safe.

And drive safe.

And watch out for lions.

Craigo

PS: Enjoy below the security warnings they sent to me :)

——————————————————————————

Dear Craig,

1 Be careful when you go to Sake. Its HOT there.

With Warm Regards,

Lt Col S Schimer

Chief Operations Officer

IAC-III

6891

00243-812398044

00243-997068005

MONUC-GOM-IAC3-COO@un.org

schimer@hotmail.com

—– Forwarded by MONUC-GOM-IAC3-COO/MONUC on 09/22/2008 01:54 PM —–

MONUC-North Kivu Bde-G3 Avn OPS/MONUC

09/22/2008 12:52 PM

To

ALO, IAC CONTINGENTS

cc

AIR OPS, AIRFORCE

Subject

FLASH REPORT NO 07 : LDG OF MI-24 AT MASISI

—– Forwarded by MONUC-North Kivu Bde-G3 Avn OPS/MONUC on 22/09/2008

12:40 PM —–

MONUC-North Kivu Bde-G3 Chief OPS/MONUC

22/09/2008 12:08 PM

To

Flash Report

cc

Subject

Fw: FLASH REPORT NO 07 : Resumption of firing in SAKE

Dear All

Further to our flash report No 6 regarding resumption of fighting at SAKE.

FLASH REPORT : NO 07

1. Three lorries reportedly carrying ammunition, one light

vehicle fitted with anti aircraft gun and a BMP of FARDC crossed

MUGUNGA Barrier at 1115B. the vehicles are traveling towards SAKE.

2. Two Attack Heptrs of FARDC have reached Masisi. Reportedly,

One AH landed at the Masisi helipad at 1155B. However, firing in the

general area stopped since 1100B.

3. UPDATE KIROTSE. No firing has been reported since last two

hours. Patrols were launched by RSABatt from KIROTSE to BWEREMANA to

clear the axis.

4. UPDATE GOMA. Situation at GOMA is calm but tense.

“IN PURSUIT OF PEACE”

With Warm Regards,

Lt Col Sanjay Chandra Kandpal

G3 Chief Operations Officer

North Kivu Bde

MONUC Tele 6694

———- Forwarded message ———-

From: MONUC-GOM-IAC3-COO

Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:53:01 +0200

Subject: Fw: Security Advisory – North Kivu – Goma

To: craigofilm@gmail.com

Dear Craig,

1 Be careful

With Warm Regards,

Lt Col S Schimer

Chief Operations Officer

IAC-III

6891

00243-812398044

00243-997068005

MONUC-GOM-IAC3-COO@un.org

schimer@hotmail.com

—– Forwarded by MONUC-GOM-IAC3-COO/MONUC on 09/22/2008 01:57 PM —–

Roger Arsenault/MONUC

09/22/2008 08:33 AM

To

__All MONUC Staff, 001ISMT Revised 12 May 2008, 002Heads of Agencies,

003ASCs/DASCs

cc

012POSS-DSS Desk, 004MONUC Intl Sec Offrs, 006UNDSS Sec Offr DRC

Subject

Security Advisory – North Kivu – Goma

To all concerned

The following are instructions as per the direction of the Designated

Official:

Due to the increased and continued fighting that has taken place over the

past few days and today, Goma is in a state of high tension.

The population is putting up roadblocks and moving around in crowds in

various parts of the town.

All movement in and around Goma has been restricted to the maximum until

the situation can be properly assessed.

Additionally the following are instructions relevant to flights in and out<%

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