Day 5 - Britain in DRC

So last night after work, we went to the British embassy for their Oasis night, that happens on each Friday when they have a big BBQ. Arriving at the embassy you have to show ID, go through airport style security and take away your camera – which I was not amused about- it’s what I imagine it would be like visiting someone in jail. But once you get inside it’s a lovely compound that is massive, and full of people. The BBQ itself was great and for the first time this week had lots of fresh vegetables and salad as well as a great BBQ.

It’s an interesting crowd at the embassy, I guess you have to be of a certain personality to be out here in the first place, but there are lots of interesting characters and everyone is really friendly. You meet people from different embassies, the world bank, UN etc. Everyone seems to have interesting background and stories. The way that I’ve heard it described as ‘globesnotting’, but I found it to be a nice evening, and it seems they have several events that go on each month. Pub quizzes and live football on. Although they make you pay for all drinks via this bizarre coupon system- which seems like a money making scheme, you order your drinks, you buy a token, they punch holes in the tokens, then give you are drinks. Why they can’t just take the cash
I don’t know.  There is even a British embassy hash around Kinshasa on Sunday’s that we were invited to, which will be a nice way to see a bit more of the city, as it’s not really the place you can explore for yourself on foot. So overall it was a nice way to spend a Friday evening- just happy they give my camera back.