Oh The Places You'll Go!

The two guards beckoned us through the open gates to the sound of the Indian MONUC house bongo band playing only what I can think was Hindi or Punjab music. The entrance walkway was lined with people holding trays full of glasses of your choice of rum or whiskey. Welcome to a MONUC party.

We walked around the empty pool, which has been transformed into a dance pit. Obviously the DJ was setup in the shallow end. We take our seats in a semi circle of patio furniture lit by Christmas lights wrapped around exercise equipment. We are served various Indian delights as we try to act casual while our photo is being taken. It felt like we were celebrities being accosted by the paparazzi.

“Okay party people it is time to dance,” said the enthusiastic DJ in the thickest Indian accent you can think of. And with that as his intro Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock was blared over the speaker system in the deep end of the swimming pool. I choked down my whiskey straight up and make the move to the open bar. I was told to add a shot of Bacardi to my beer because “it really hits you” said the MONUC anesthesiologist.

I hold off on jumping into the deep end (literally) until a fitting song came on. I sat beside Jo and tried to blend in; only problem was that i didn't have a lounge suit and I was missing a thick, dark black mustache. Oh well. Summer of ’69 roared over the speaker system and so I took it as my cue to jump in and bust a move. Mambo #5, Sweet Child of Mine, and The Final Countdown followed to create an awesome dance mix. Even Jo and Lyn Lusi broke it down in the deep end.

The night wore on and the sweat stains grew. I took a moment to check out my surroundings, an elephant mural on the right hand pool wall, samosas were being served up on the pool deck, and Backstreet Boys was blasting, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.

Pictures were taken and phone numbers exchanged. I know that the MONUC mission has been criticized publicly in the media, but one thing is for sure, they can sure throw a Monday night party. I look forward to the next one.