Never though that I would have an opportunity to step on this continent. After sudden closure from the previous UN mission in Georgia called UNOMIG (United Nation Observer Mission in Georgia) which is one of former nation of Soviet’s empire, TNI HQ had put an effort to redeploy me back to another mission assignment of which Indonesia has been as a contributing country. The next appointed destination for me was Congo, where the peacekeeping mission there named: Mission de l’Organization des Nation Unies un Republic Democratic du Congo. Upon my arrival, I began to say: Damn!, this French language is so hard to pronounce!. Actually, when the mission at UNOMIG experienced a drastic closure, all staffs to include the military had to leave Georgia at the earliest.

Tblisi, Georgia

Tblisi Airport

Personally, I was so pissed, not because the politics matters that Russia, with its veto privilege, stamped its right to dismiss the mission. But more because, I then had to pack all my stuffs brought from Indonesia back, which all still unused and the cargo weight almost reached 100kgs. You imagine those sort of things brought as a year’s supply to the unknown post-conflict country, right?.

The food stuffs, clothes, military gears and accessories required, everything (but not the pillow and blanket though …LoL) and all of them still intact unused, knowing that one has just been f%%%ing landed the week before. The mission therefore repatriated me home as they were closing down the entire mission, that those stuffs I got from the baggage were all just nicely arranged inside the drawer. Packing up all of those, especially during summer time where the temperature was almost reached 40⁰ C…!. Darn, I was melting at that time.

Finally, after enduring the waiting, for almost 7 months (the longest period to wait I’ve ever endured that almost put me into the stress zone ha…ha…ha…). Thank God, we (off course with my friend, Amrin and Wahyu) finally received the approval from the UNHQ in New York, to include the travel and financial authorization as part of the official document to travel for duty under the UN assignment.

After long hectic day of preparing for the deployment to Africa (off course I went through the same procedure and logistics as to the Georgia mission) and to include all sorts of vaccine injections that I didn’t really know exact what that was, then we were ready to go.

Actually, the story was not that easy folks!, because from the moment when receiving the approval and the authorization, another unfortunate event occurred and I’m not gonna share it here. Why?, because that will ruin the whole story of the journey. However, if you insist to know, then please email me … ;-)

Nah!, that one above was just a joke!

It was, 18 February 2010, we assembled at Sukarno Hatta international Airport, ready for take-off to Kinshasa, the capital city of DRC. For your information, there is actually 2 country that named themselves as “Congo”. First, is the DRC as I mentioned above, the place where the UN deploys its peacekeeping mission. Second one, is Congo Brazzaville. The peaceful neighboring county which is only separated by the huge-long river called Congo River.

Ok, back to the story. Pak Ujang (The PMPP old-amped-man) had always been ready to extend any kind of assistance to ensure smooth deployment and making our life easier especially regarding pre-departure headaches. Therefore, I didn’t have to worry too much about the airfare ticket, airline’s boarding pass, passport control at the immigration desk; check-in procedures of luggages and all other stressful customs knick-knacks that often expose to unnecessary headache.

Pak Ujang had always been handy…he…he…he.. After lunch at the airport KFC, (Definitely, that – KFC was the last best-tasted chicken I’ve ever eaten in the next four month), we went to the departure lounge. Thanks to Pak Ujang’s assistantance, as he made great arrangement to allow the farthest escort of my family members to the point they saw me entering the aircraft.

Hugs and a lot of kisses and tears were fallen, we entered the gate. The plane took off at 1305 hours. The next is the voyage. We embarked into Thai Airways that had flown us from Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand and stayed therefor transit.

The flight spent was about 4 hrs. Arrived in Bangkok at around 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Quickly disembarked and enter the airport terminal, we were rushed to find the prayers room (Musholla). I remember it well that when we traveled to Georgia, we transited in Bangkok, Thailand. But at that time we didn’t know that the airport has a prayers room. Luckily, found it then. We were so happy at that time.

Ups…apology that I’ve yet mentioned the traveling companion were the exact officers of whom went together at the previous mission, namely Amrin and Fajar.

So Fajar was succeeding Wahyu, as he was appointed to another UN mission; United Nations Mission in Sudan. I guess, you may be wondering why we were so happy?. Because we were able to get some rest prior the next connecting flight to Istanbul, which departs at 0040 H.

At the time we found the musholla, we were surprised, because the place looked different then the one we found on our last transit. Smaller in size, however, the terrible rotten feet’s smell greeted us at the entrance. As we tried to look for the bigger or better musholla was non existent. Little bit disappointed, we then entered and went on with our prayers from Dzuhur to Isya, then after took off to grab a bite at the nearest food court within the airport.

As we proceeded to the food court, later we learned that the bigger musholla was just situated at the next floor, the one of which we initially looked for. So curious, we decided to take a peek inside whereby nothing has changed at all. We then laughed because of our stupidity for not going further another level of the floor. The laughs reminded us that we were hungry, then continue rushing to the food court.

Another lesson learned from previous travel. If you want to buy a meal package at the airport food court, never trust the advertisement billboard shown with glowing and mouth-watering photo on that wall, or printed on the menu.

It totally misguiding you regarding the actual portion size. Just, choose the one that is familiar with. Therefore, you are saved. So, we ordered the menu of which we are familiar with, you know – the burger, French fries, rice, curry and of course tea. Oh, yes, almost forget to tell you that our next flight was heading for Nairobi, Kenya.

The estimate Time of Departure (ETD) is 0040 H. It was a heck of time to wait that long. After finishing our meal, we walked around the airport to kill the time. Later on, (hehehehehe…sorry guys, funny story behind this word. Confidential story, pardon me not to share it with you) …. When the boarding time was due, we went to the gate. Actually we were the first group arrived at the gate. Again, from the previous experience, we knew that we would have a problem of our passports.

As we travel further and the next leg of flight was another country (Kenya), understanding the fact that none of us had no visa for Kenya. The IATA rules that, the customs of the last embarkation port will ask for the visa. None of us, the three passenger, were able to show it (visa) to them. They requested some kind of explanation as to reason of not obtaining the visa for Kenya.

That moment, was when the time you hand-in to the immigration officer: the To Whom May It Concern letter from UN, along with your ‘UN-Travel Authorization’. This way, the authority would understand that you are under the UN’s official travel and any courtesy visa waiver if possible to be extended to the traveler. We were again saved.

Got the clearance to proceed to the gate, we sat down at the departure lounge. Chilled down, watched TV and so obvious, sleep. When the ETD was getting closer, we realized that the waiting room already occupied by many people. Than, the funny event occurred.

We felt that we were in the Africa already. Why? … because most of the passengers were Africans. The clothes, the language, the colorful and of course the darker skin-tone (Note: Not to be taken as racist), all things in the atmosphere were then taste so African, to include carrier was Kenya Airways.

We boarded to the plane. The good thing was there were only few passengers. So, there were many seats vacant, means that after the plane takes off, we could choose and move into any vacant seats and of course we could stretch our legs…he…he…he.

The meal on the flight was good. I’ve got no complaint. However, there were some interesting experience though. We knew that it was African flag carrier, but there was this fellow cabin crew that somehow I reckoned with a vivid Asian looks. Another thing was, it was my first time to notice the sign put on the aircraft toilet’s door written: “Do not use, out of order!”.

It was my clear understanding that nothing suppose to be out of order allowed during a flight, to include the toilet.. Am I right papa? (Surprised ha?…. You will know why I called you papa at the second part of this story). Where the hell I should aircraft passenger go when they needed to ‘pee’ and ‘else’? – the next plane?.
It was approaching to 8 hours flight time, having been slept with several uncomfortable positions and really back-aching ones, finally – we arrived in Nairobi, Kenya. It was really early in the morning, about 0500 hour. The airport was almost empty when we disembarked. Then, we had to catch up next flight to Kinshasa.

The next flight scheduled to depart at 0815. So, we walked to the gate as indicated on our boarding passes. Those boarding passes were given to us when we checked-in Bangkok, Thailand. There was no surprise for us to find that there was no single person at the check-in counter. Again, we had to wait. While waiting, my stomach was crying beyond belief cause of toilet problem during the previous flight. It was Top Priority mission: “Find a toilet and off-load cargo” though I hated engage this toilet-business especially at places I was not familiar with.

There was also another problem: The airport toilet at Nairobi got no water!!, and to the best I know that we all Indonesian are not accustomed with using the la papiere (Toilet Paper). We use water to clean after ourselves. So, at the cul-de-sac time, I rushed to the shop inside the airport just to buy bottle of mineral water.

Finally, I got it but, (there is a “but” for this injury time) the water was so damn freezing cold. The store nearby our gate was only one and cold mineral water was the only option to take. Put me in ‘no-choice zone”. Paid the water and care the rat’s ass towards the price. Quickly after, as I rushed for the toilet, my mind was suddenly thinking: “what about the toilet condition?”, “Was it clean enough”. As I hesitantly went inside the toilet, surprisingly, it was quite clean.

Let me skip the details and move on. After all the toilet drama, it also occurred to Amrin for having to evacuate himself of same predicament. Further, we were readily awaiting at the check-in counter, since the staffs already present. Proceeding to the departure lounge, again we found ourselves were the first group of people got there. We took a seat and then started “tayamum” for subuh prayer.

We prayed in our chair. The time showed 0745 hours, it was time to board to the plane. Luckily the plane was on time, we took off at 0845. Surprisingly again, there were only few passengers aboard the flight. So, we again had been blessed with the choices of vacant seats. The flight time was about 3 hours. The time showed 1045. (There is one hour difference between Kinshasa and Nairobi).

Lastly, landing gears touched down at N’djili International Airport Kinshasa, DRC. Personally seeing the physical state of the airport building, we were very surprised to find the airport named as ‘International Airport’. We saw many people walking around the runway!!!, the apron and it looked very poorly-maintained. Even the interior building of the airport, looks like a warehouse or storage facility rather than as an airport.

I rest my case in saying about the airport, however the local people has a great pride of it, anyway. Disembarking the aircraft, we were guided to go to the customs & immigration passport control. Again, we had to display and submit the “Magical Letter” from UN. Concluded with the customs & Immigration, went for baggage claims.

There, we were met with the UN Movcon (Movement Control) representative waiting for us with the UN logo sign held high above. He guided us to get through everything. Collected our passports, walked us to the baggage claim and of course showed us the UN/MONUC bus to take us to the UN/MONUC Headquarters.

Ups… almost forget to tell you that there was a Lieutenant Colonel from Pakistan Army came together in the same flight. His name is Iqbal. He was our classmate during the induction course. I will share the story about him in the second part of my article.