Photos of Lubumbashi

Typical street corner in Lubumbashi (from Taylor's collection)

For those who have been wanting to see photos from Lubumbashi, I have some good news and and some bad news, and some other bad news.

The good news is that I was able to get very clever. The Bishop’s office in the Methodiste Centre has a balcony view of the city square. I snapped a few shots from there. It was during the time when all the shops were closed, so the photos lack all the people and traffic that are the real picture of downtown. We’re always looking for that National Geographic money shot, and none of these are the one. Then, the cleverness spiked. I had noticed a group of photographers hanging out around the new Italian fountain (gift of the governor) taking portrait shots of families by the fountain. It was pouring rain, and they were huddled under umbrellas. The street was empty, everyone sane had sought shelter. I approached one of the photographers and asked him to take a few pictures of me with various views of the city as background. However, I wanted him to use my camera. So, we had a photo shoot in the pouring rain. He took a zillion. A couple aren’t bad. I may have a new profile portrait.

The bad news is that I still don’t have photos that tell the compelling story of this city, it’s grittiness: The continuous construction, the streets filled with taxi buses, the broken sidewalks and mud holes, the shops, the people, the energy, the dust followed by rain, the steam coming off the blacktop after the rain, the music, cell phones, the traffic whistles, money changers, shade tree mechanics, crowds of young men always a bit on edge politically, sharply dresses socialites, beggars, the jumbotron screen on the old post office that now houses the Chinese telecom company, the Land Rovers and Land Cruisers of the mining companies, the brand new Toyotas and Mercedes, hundred year old hotels and train station, new banks, hole in the wall dives, Coca-Cola and Simba beer, street merchants selling shoes, and stores where you can buy a new Yamaha outboard motor.

I’ve asked enough to stop asking for my Congolese colleagues to take some photos for me. They’re not yet comfortable doing it. The days when you would be thrown in jail for pulling out a camera are probably gone, but the appearance of a camera can draw an unpredictable reaction from the mass of people. There’s still a tension in the air. Best not to poke a stick in it.

The other bad news is that I’m not having any luck uploading photos from my new MacBook Air to Facebook, even with the iPhoto app that is made just for that task. I’ve consulted my go-to Mac expert and am awaiting his coaching.

It’s going to take a couple more days to work out getting the boat fuel to Mulongo. It’s not just a matter of buying it. We have to also get it on a northbound truck and pray the truck doesn’t get stuck or break down. Also, we have 5 Zambikes to get to Tenke. Not easy, either. Today, Joseph Mulongo is taking care of all the travel documents we will need. You don’t just wander about the DRC without permission.

That’s the news from Lubumbashi.

Bob