Jungle Rejuvenation

5:50AM. Beep, beep, beep goes my internal alarm clock. Even though my real alarm clock isn’t set until 6:45AM, my never ending to-do list jolts my body awake almost one hour before it is necessary to greet the world. Recently I have been living the definition of busy-ness. Starting work at 7am, ending at 7pm, not taking lunch breaks, dreaming about work, working weekends, being woken up by work all has been the definition of my life as of late.

Last weekend I wondered outside of Bunia, the city of dust, land cruisers, and my symbol of long work hours, to the peaceful savanna of a breeze, clean air, and natural scenery. I was shocked at my body’s response to the change. I realized how much I had missed the natural sounds of birds, wind, stillness. 

Monday came as it always does and with it the endless questions, middle-of-the-night-checklists, and the daily influx of 50 emails. Throughout the week it became apparent that I might need to travel to one of our field bases. In reality, I was the only one “available” enough to make the trip. After convincing the UN that the change in their flight planning was vital, I successfully secured a flight.

Arriving at Bunia airport usually is my body’s cue that it is ok to being shutting down as I am headed on an airplane on vacation; however, this particular trip was not that. Regardless, my brain didn’t make the connection between the location and my “ordre de mission” (mission order) stating this trip was work not pleasure and began shutting down anyways. Even though it was only 9am, I starting yawning. I gave myself a little peep talk reminding it I am travelling to go work some more. 

I was the only passenger on UNHAS (UNHOUSE) flight which resembles a millionaire’s personal jet with carpeted flooring, air conditioning, leather padded seats, and the warm greeting “welcome aboard Madam” from the co-pilot. It only took a few minutes to fall into a frigid slumber hoping this small rest would snap my weary body back into action despite my exhaustion and desperate need for vacation. 

I woke up in time for the decent into Ango, a town in northern Congo close to the boarder of CAR (Central African Republic). Ango is a beautiful mix of jungle, savanna, and river – one of the most beautiful descents I have made in DRC. I was once again reminded of how beautiful, diverse, and lush Congo really is. 

To be honest, I was a bit hesitant coming here because the most frequent news update we receive from our base is the weekly snake killing count. Also knowing how exhausted I am, I really wondered how I was going to be of any help. Thankfully due to remoteness, lack of power (aka internet), and arriving on a Friday, it forced me to take a whole weekend off – which I haven’t done in two months. 

Saturday I felt my body really responding, almost de-toxing from stress. Slowly by slowly I am feeling more like a human being again. I left Isiro three months ago tired of the jungle but I had forgotten how therapeutic the sounds of the birds, children singing, walking paths through mud huts with people playing drums provoking African dance, and the beautiful African sky are for my soul. The natural is necessary.