Republic of the CongoMapJuly 10–11, 2013 The Republic of the Congo should not be confused with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A comfortable ferry provides transportation between the two Congos across the river.  The skyline of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. With its sole trendy high-rise building.  Let’s take a look at the country’s main details. Some license plates are stamped at official facilities, others are hand-painted by local artisans.  Children.  The digger is absolutely fantastic.  A notary office (just like in every other French colony—Reunion, for example).  Fences are painted with stripes and also picketed at the top (in other countries, it’s usually one or the other).  A transformer vault like the ones in Madagascar (and some European countries).  BrazzavilleMapA bus stop sign.  A bus shelter.  Directional traffic signs.  The gates of the Russian embassy.  A monument.  Cows walking along the train tracks, with the city’s sole trendy high-rise in the background.  Beware of the vicious dog.  An old French post box.  Slots for outgoing mail at a post office.  An avenue.  Brazzaville traffic lights (same as the ones in Rennes and Corsica).  A phone booth.  Brazzaville is the first city I’ve ever come across where all public transportation vehicles, from taxis to vans to buses, are painted with the same color scheme—dark green with white stripes.  A street sign.  Bollards.  A French fire hydrant. Rather unexpected.  Street address plaques.  Brazzaville has several army depots.  Or rather, had.  Last year, the depots suffered an explosion which also leveled the entire neighborhood.  But people are keeping their chin up.  Some are living in tents.  Some are living in the ruins.  Other than that, it’s just African life as usual.  Live.  Mate.  Procreate.  |
