The day I got stuck in the Congo and called Car Talk
Fortunately, Click and Clack knew the difference between the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, and a carburetor.
TOM: Hello, you’re talking to Car Talk. Who’s on the phone?
ME: Yeah, this is Scott, calling from Congo.
RAY: Hello, Scott!
TOM: Is that the Republic of Congo, with the capital in Brazzaville or the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the capital in Kinshasa?
RAY: Look who paid attention in geography class!
TOM: At least someone in our family did. (Laughter.)
ME: Yeah, Tom, it’s Congo-Kinshasa, although I’m way over on the other side of the country near Lake Kivu.
TOM: Oh, that’s beautiful country out there. How’s the weather right now?
ME: Well, it’s been raining off and on all day, as it has been since we got here.
RAY: Well, Scott, I hate to tell you this, but we have gorgeous New England autumn weather here in Cambridge, cool and crisp. The wife and I just got back from a lovely drive up in New Hampshire. Leaves were gorgeous.
TOM: Yeah, Ray, the leaves in your yard are gorgeous, too. Maybe you coulda stayed home and picked up a rake.
RAY: Ouch! (Laughter.)
TOM: So, Scott, what can we do for you?
ME: Yeah, look guys, we’re driving a Toyota Land Cruiser on a muddy mountain road, and we got stuck in a deep hole. We can’t get out.
TOM: A Toyota Land Cruiser, huh? Best four-wheel-drive car in the Third World. Sorry, I guess we say the Developing World these days.
