Friday 16 November 2007

Unfortunate events

I thought of writing about unpleasant things that happened recently. I initially considered the kid in a motorcycle who bumped into my (parked) car, the cooler box which got ran over on the way to the beach, and the car accident we had on the way back, which threw us off-road, broke my car’s front axis, and made me forget all about the motorcycle kid and his bump. Nobody got hurt in these events, so it’s all unimportant, especially given the number of sad stories around, a couple of which took place afterwards. Two days ago, a friend of mine saw a kid being ran over by a car. It seems the kid ran into the street after stealing a mango... Last night, one of the street kids who randomly sleep in my building’s entrance was unconscious on the sidewalk. This is not, in itself, a very unusual sight, as several of these kids prefer to spend the money they earn on hard liqueur and drugs rather than food. My flatmate and her brother actually dragged him closer to the building, where the rain wouldn't reach him. This morning, as we left to go to work, the kid was in that same spot, covered with a white sheet, dead. People say it might have been the drinking or the drugs, or maybe disease or hunger. It was most likely some mix of these... In Cacuaco, northern Luanda, some mysterious disease has been spreading, and keeping specialists in the dark as to what it is. So far there are not many dead... This is indeed a land rich in sad stories.

4 comments:

Hugo Viseu said...

Unfortunate indeed. I hope you are coping well with all of this. Regarding the strange disease, that's horrible. Regarding strange unknonw things (at least for me), have you heard about Jenkem? Is it common there?
It really makes me wonder about these thoughts I've been having regarding a possible stint in South Africa for the next Football World Cup (it's actually a possibility).

Jorge said...

I´m cool. I don´t know Jenkem though; he a nice fellow? :-) I think it should be just fine for u to come to South Africa, it is kind different from the neighbouring countries in many respects (moslty regarding amenities). I was in Joba airport once, found it impressive...

raposo said...

Eih come on Peniche!
I find it strange to address you in english... but whatever. I was really impressed by your story. You are leaving in a completely different world. I have been in such countries as a tourist, but you never get used to the idea of misery.
If you come to netherlands. Call me! Did I tell you that I have a 17 months daughter?
Have a nice 2008

Jorge said...

Hi Raposo! Nice to hear from you. Yes, of course I know about your daugther; again, I hope she looks like her mother :-) have a great 2008!