This is typical of the road to Mwene Ditu. The paved road ended not far outside Mbuji Mayi. This road was relatively good, until you got closer to Mwene Ditu.
I will be showing picks of many trucks that travel this road– just unbelievably over-loaded, and THEN have people on top to boot!
Many, MANY trucks were broken down along the road. Some were being repaired on the spot, some had just been left. Several times we were lucky to be in a position to pass them, as they blocked the entire road. The larger trucks were out of luck– they just waited.
Notice all the people on TOP of the truck! This is a combination truck and taxi…
The rare patch of asphalt out of Mbuji Mayi was almost worse than the dirt road, as the pot-holes were quite large. Some of the holes we encountered could swallow a car!
Once again, most of the homes we passed were simple mud/adobe huts with grass roofs.
A good view of the stick frame around which the mud/adobe huts are built
The road to Mwene Ditu and Luputa is filled with beautiful sights and landscapes
I wonder why this vehicle was broken down…
This is a view of the normal taxi between cities here in the Congo. They fill the back of a truck with paying customers, who have to stand the whole way (sometimes a 4-5 hour drive, over rough roads)
About the only other form of transportation for locals is going on the back of a motorcycle!
The countryside is absolutely beautiful. Often wide open, and then, as you come closer to villages and water, more trees and plants. Anyone want to start a cattle ranch?
The head is the most useful tool used by the locals. They carry EVERYTHING on their heads, keeping their hands free for babies and other things.
How cool is this taxi ride through the Congo’s backyard?
As usual, our trip was not without incident! Two flat tires within just a few minutes, only to find out one of the spares was flat also! But our drivers (Omar and Cotefoi– for you frenchies, Cotefoi means ‘side of faith’) had prepared well, and brought 4 tires!
In the Congo one must ‘enjoy the ride’. There is always something going wrong, or sideways, and if you cannot look past the problems, and see the fun and amusement in the situation…well, it will be a very loooong ride!
Who knew one could find a tire repair shop in the middle of nowhere? Our driver noticed a gas-powered air compressor… which could only mean one thing: roadside help! We were not going to continue without any more spare tires, so we fixed all but one tire.
Just one of the many roadside repairs going on with disabled trucks
As we headed into Mwene Ditu, the pavement began again… a little. The main road is paved into town, but then all other roads in the town are just dirt.
We drove to the Mwene Ditu church building, as Pres. McMullin would begin missionary interviews right away.
