Gangsta Beats and Volcanic Dust

Just over three weeks ago the Lebanese owned Kivu Market, famous for its large selection of western delights, opened up a “fast food” restaurant, or at least as close as one can expect to a fast food restaurant in Goma. For my Haligonian friends it roughly resembles King of Donair and looks as though it would sit quite comfortable beside the Black Market at Pizza Corner. When you can buy samosas on the street for 300 Congolese francs (roughly 35 cents), buying a shawarma for $2.50 seems outrageous so its a place to go when one needs a little pick-me-up.

So today was a day for a treat. After working in the containers in the morning it was nice to swing open the HEAL Africa front gate and make the short dusty walk to the Kivu Take-Away. Climbing the narrow spiral staircase to the soundtrack of Madonna’s latest and greatest up to the patio is a welcome change of pace. While enjoying my shawarma I find myself mesmerized by the TV playing the latest and most popular music videos. Trying to maintain a conversation while Rhianna is dancing half naked with her music being played crazy loud is a skill, and a skill that I have not yet mastered. I used to not understand why you would see crowds of twenty or so kids packed inside and out of a small movie stand. Now I do. When you don’t watch TV for a long time it is hypnotic when you eventually do.

While taking our last bite of shawarma taking in the beats of Lil’ Wayne it dawns on me where we actually are, Goma DR Congo. And here I am sitting back in a K.O.D. knock-off listening to over paid rap and hip-hop artists talk about how rich they are and how many cars they own. A UN helicopter gun ship drowns out the music overhead and I am back into the reality of it all. We pick up our things, say goodbye to Jay-Z and head back to HEAL passing by street kids selling deodorant and key chains.

I have tackled with the reality that the global north and global south are on the same planet. It blows my mind that they can somehow coexist. Today just gave me a glimpse at how different the two worlds are. Now I find myself asking, which one is more real?