I awoke the next morning with a crushing headache. It eased as the day
became a repeat of the day before. We visited several villages and covered 100
kilometres by nightfall. Unfortunately, I was still not at my destination as 50
of those kilometres had been side-trips to villages off the main road.
Once again, Pierre took me to visit his wife and children. “I suppose
you have a wife in Makabana, to,” I said jokingly. “How did you know that?”
said Pierre, surprised. Then a glint of recognition came to his face. “You've
been talking to Jurgen, haven't you? He must have told you.”
Now that I understood Pierre's timetable, I awoke the next morning
confident of reaching my destination. We travelled quickly until, outside a
large town called Kibangou, we were stopped at a police checkpoint. A
stern-faced officer perused my passport. “You didn't get your passport stamped
in Lobo.” he said, referring to a forgettable village 80 kilometres back down
the road. “You will have to return there to get it stamped.”
My heart sank.
David Bennett (to be continued)
