Weekend List!

Jill's List:

I've been looking at a lot of great pictures this week.  Like these motorcycle girls (thanks, Anne!), and these limbs (Can't stop looking at these. Can't stop.), this incredible family, and these moments in womens' lives.

Expectant parents Danny Atene and Larrissa Mexican, 28 weeks pregnant, read a pamphlet after an exam at the Navajo Nation's Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation's Women's Clinic.
Photo by Alice Proujansky for her project, Women's Work. Used with permission.

Loving this French fight.  First there was this (French is awesome!).  And then this (French is stupid and extinct!).  And now this (French is the 9th most spoken language in the world, embrace it!).

French penmanship books purchased at City Market in case anyone else has a kid obsessed with the also-dying art of cursive.

I love all of these products.  Not that I've tried most of them.  But they're all so pretty.  Johan did get me some Herbivore Botanicals stuff for Christmas.  (Thank you to my parents for lugging that beautiful, heavy glass bottle in their suitcase.)  Everything is pretty amazing...

See?  It's just so pretty.

Nurses (not doctors, not midwives) "catch" most of the babies born at clinics here in Kinshasa! Remember this Guest Post from a few months back?  This article is fascinating (use the "translate" option to read in English).  There is a newer movement to train more university-level midwives in the city.  Very exciting.  (If any of you know about the new l'ISTM/UniKin sage femme program, email me!)

Nurses from Liboke Clinic here in Kinshasa with Safe Motherhood Kits.

Reading Christy Turlington Burns' February Letter on the Every Mother Counts blog.  The organization is focusing on safe motherhood in Africa this month.

Beautiful photo from Every Mother Counts. Used with permission.

Our girls wore their frilliest dresses this morning for Carnaval at school.  Johan made a glittery mask for Lou (even though he's a self-professed glitter-hater).  Sarah put Hot Mama blush on each of their cheeks.  Fun times.  Want to know more about Carnaval?  Read this article from the American Community in France website.  The link to the store for American food cravings cracked me up.  Marshmallow Fluff or red Solo Party Cups anyone?

International variations on Carnaval fluff and glitter.

The new apartheid.

A more peaceful perspective found on the streets of this continent.

Everybody, look at my neat friend.  Her job is really cool.

Sarah's List:

House of Cards season 2 premieres on Valentine's Day. Not only is Netflix genius by releasing the season in its entirety, but they know what we really want to do on Valentine's Day. Made me think of this card. Just substitute [Look at my phone] with [Get hooked on TV shows].

More cards like this one by Emily McDowell here.

Speaking of marriage and House of Cards. Do Frank and Claire have the ideal marriage? I vote yes. Don't judge me.

I once saw Kevin Spacey hanging out with Bill Clinton in Ghana. (True story.) He was clearly preparing for this role.

We've been reading a lot about heroin this week, haven't we? Here's a good primer on the subject: Why is heroin so cheap.

Is it al-Qaeda or Al-Quida or Al-Qaeda? Mama or momma? Hmm or hmmm? Thank goodness the internet finally has a  Style Guide. And I found the answer to my question about ?! vs. !?

This article reads a bit like the National Enquirer, but it's interesting no less. Is it really possible to have a biological child with whom you share no DNA?

What do you think about the new book All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood? In sum, I think it means we don't have to feel so bad when we ignore our children.

Rare, 20th Century Africa photos. At the Smithsonian until August 24. 

Thank you to fellow Congo blogger, Emmanuel Ngeleka for introducing himself to us this week. Check out his blog, Congolese Stories, a collection of creative writing posts he plans to turn into a novel.

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Les Serpents du Congo

Are you wondering what is so fascinating?

Oh, you know.  Just a cobra.  Staring at my child.

But, no worries.  Serpent expert, Mr. François Nsingi, told us that a cobra showing his famous, flashy head is just sending a warning signal, not getting ready to strike.  The cage enclosing the snake was even more reassuring.  

Look how bored this guy is holding that poisonous snake (see above).  He actually said, "Okay, did you take enough pictures yet?  My arm is getting tired."  

I'm assuming that he knows his snake body language.

Clearly giving us the "back off" signal.

I can barely stomach this picture of my small child next to a green and black mamba.  They call these creatures a "seven step" snake due to the incredible toxicity of their venom.  Meaning, a person has seven steps to walk before they keel over.  Mr. Nsingi says it's actually more like 3-8 hours.  

I'm judging my parenting decisions in hindsight...

Speaking of venom.  Les Serpents du Congo is actually a part of the University of Kinshasa anti-venom program, where all the anti-venom for Congo is created.  Unfortunately, there aren't many locations where this antidote is available in the country, so a snake whose bite can kill in 3-8 hours is truly deadly in most parts of the DRC.

That Gaboon Viper (the one that's looking at you) is easily one of the creepiest creatures I've ever seen.

Here's Mr. Nsingi hefting that snake back into his cage.  We were told that these vipers are slow moving and don't usually bother humans unless they are sat or stepped upon.  

Not poisonous.  Really.  I promise.

   My pulse rate would speed up or slow down depending on toxicity levels.  We irrationally protected our children, flinging our arms out to push the kids back when a snake would jump or hiss from inside the cage.  Loulou told me to calm down.

Tchic, my French tutor, was horrified that I had allowed my child to touch even a non-poisonous snake.  He wisely pointed out that now, Elias and Loulou might believe that any snake can be picked up and cuddled.  Luckily, Mr. Nsingi gave the kids several stern lectures about serpent safety:  Don't touch.  RUN.  Tell you parents to put a bucket over it.  Call me.

Neighbor James thoroughly loved/hated every moment of this trip.  

We'll call it "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy."  Look at that therapeutic forced smile.

Every mother hopes to one day see their child enveloped by a python.

When in Rome...

(It was really pretty incredible.  The snake was cool to the touch and muscle-y.)

The rats were Loulou's favorite animal at the snake park.

Mr. Nsingi quickly broke it to her that those cuties serve a purely nutritional purpose.

Naturally, there was also a turtle.

And a crocodile.  Or an alligator.  I can never remember which is which or why. Which makes me bad at trivia games.

All of the snakes and other creatures at the park are indigenous to the DRC and most were found along the Congo River not far from where we live.  

I haven't decided if this is somehow amazing or just horrifying.

And here is the sweet picture I took when I proudly believed I captured Elias in a quiet moment, using his French to pick up a few more educational tidbits about snakes of the Congo.

He was actually negotiating to buy a python.

"Mama!  He said that I can get one for only $150!"

True story of a day at Les Serpents du Congo.

Les Serpent du Congo is a highly recommended activity. The facilities are beautiful and the staff well-trained, knowledgeable and excellent with kids.  The snake park is located along the same road that goes to Lac de Ma Vallée/the Bonobos - so the location is quite lovely.  You can stop for veggies at the market along the way. 

It's best to have at least one French-speaking person with you so that you can be sure to understand all the information that is given.  Calling the director ahead of your arrival is recommended: + 243 81 9918530 or + 243 99 9918530

Where is the park located?

In the farm called SOGENAK (it's SEBO)

Quartier Sebo – Route de Kimwenza

Commune de Mont-Ngafula à Kinshasa

When is the park open?

Tuesday-Sunday: 09h00 to 18h00

The park is closed on Monday except by special appointment.

An entrance fee is asked for the care and upkeep of the animals:

$10 for adults and $5 for children under 12

For those of you who would rather stay as far away as possible, Mr. Nsingi will also come to the rescue if you find a snake in your Kinshasa house or yard.  Put a bucket over the creature and call: 082 362 0634 or 089 946 0477.  

He'll identify it and take it away for you.  If it's poisonous, your call could provide an important contribution to the anti-venom program at UNIKIN.

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