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<%
Craig Ouellette is a world traveling, independent filmmaker, and karaoke fiend. He has been to dozens of countries, made dozens of films, and sung more karaoke songs than he can count. He hopes the tales of adventure will entertain.
