Adventure in Congo?

Is it weird that I have an idea to spend New Year's Eve in the Democratic Republic of Congo? It has a nice ring to it, NYE in DRC. A pretty dumb idea at best.

The DRC is a complete disaster. It regularly tops the list as the poorest country in the world. It is a massive country in the center of Africa. The most corrupt country in all of Africa, and that says a lot. Anyway, it has gorillas, bananas, massive snakes, and cities full of madness, all of which I love.

If I had to choose an adventure of a lifetime, it would be to boat the entire Congo river from source to ocean which weasels its way through the entire country. A wild trip through some of the most insane land in the world.

Sure, the travel advisor website says this about the Congo:

Violent crime, such as murder, rape, kidnapping, and pillaging, continue throughout the DRC. Road travelers are frequently targeted for ambush, armed robbery, and kidnapping.

And then this:

War rape makes a particularly effective weapon because it not only destroys its physical victims, but entire communities as well. War, violence, and instability have ravaged the DRC for decades.

War rape. God bless.

Toss in malaria, Ebola, leprosy, yellow fever, AIDs, and a thousand other diseases and it is quite the adventure. The crocodiles are as long as football fields and the hippos kill 500 people a year and are faster than boats in the water. Snakes? Plenty.

But the people are the most dangerous. Poverty-stricken and desperate, they can cause serious problems to a skinny white dude like me.

One white dude canoed the entire river in 2012...all 3000 miles...and did not die. Barely. He is the only person to have achieved this goal.

Here is some advice from another fella as he was making his way down the river...

"Do you know there's still armed Mai Mai rebels in there man? I'm telling you if they catch you, they'll kill you, and it won't be a quick death." He continued, "A year ago two Belgian missionaries were captured, tortured, and had their testicles cut off and eaten. Their heads were then cut off and put on spikes outside their village." (Read his story here: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/jan/27/canoeing-the-congo-river)

That sounds fun.

I always think about adventure. Not so much jumping out of an airplane but the adventure that calls to each of us. Whether it is climbing a mountain, finishing a marathon, writing a book, getting married, or going to the DRC for NYE. Adventure fuels us and makes life worth living.

There are only two things every human being really needs...someone to love and a grand adventure.

What is the adventure of your lifetime?

LET'S GO!!!!!!!
Trey