Republic of Congo!

Ever in need of more specimens, I forwent the typical LA New Years and instead spent it in a small Congolese town near various mining sites (and I should point out, this was the Republic of Congo, not the relatively insane Democratic Republic of Congo). Despite the area being a US State Dept “Level 4: Do not travel” I was pleasantly surprised to find that things had mostly settled down, and places that I would have gotten killed trying to visit 2 years ago now even had Chinese companies popping up— of course in the typically fearless, business-first fashion of many Chinese companies, many were there even during the war.  People who 2 years ago were fighting against the government are today (mostly) just normal folks, and some even sold specimens. I’ll admit— going to the first couple villages made me a bit uneasy, especially carrying money. But, my general belief is that most people are at least neutral unless you give them a reason to shift in either direction, and those few who would do harm are more willing to cheat you than hurt you... whether it’s Pakistan, Congo or Peru, it has generally held... though I must say, Mexico is a bit more unhinged.

In the vast expanse of dioptase green hills, it is incredible how these people continue to find specimens— actually, in many cases (Mfouati, Ntola) today’s diggings are on the sites of old Soviet or abandoned Chinese worksites, and as in other parts of Africa, it is the Chinese who have the most visible presence— constructing highways, operating factories, mines and schools. In counties where I look different, I usually get strange stares from small children in rural villages who are unaccustomed to other ethnicities, but what one slightly confused little girl said was particularly telling: “Mom, he’s not Chinese!” And on a less pertinent note, there was another kid who just burst out crying when he saw my face.....

I don’t usually write personal notes, but I really enjoy this “work,” meeting people, eating random things (years of this has given me an iron stomach) and visiting places I would see in atlases as a kid, but never imagined I would have a reason to go in person. It isn’t without challenges— in central Africa I’m sure you can imagine the list. But, thanks to all of you who have supported this website over the years and given me these opportunities. And thanks especially to the people in all these countries who help me on the ground and make this possible... if anyone believes I can just fly to the place listed on a specimen label and walk out with rocks, they are giving me too much credit.