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WOW! The situation in and around Goma is way worse than I could have imagined. The documentary crew and I went to the Kibati IDP camp during the evening. While there, we could hear periodic gunshots and a couple of explosions. It was a little nerve-wracking. Then, all Hell broke lose. I do not know all of the details, but it appears there was a small fight between the rebels and Congolese forces near the camp. We heard screams and alot of commotion. People began running all over the place. We were herded into a car and told to get back to Goma ASAP. As we were leaving, I overheard a couple of UN peacekeepers saying that some people in the camp were shot.

We got back to Goma and no one had heard of anything yet. We took a brief rest and hoped on the internet. According to CNN, two little girls were shot by stray bullets. One died and the other is in critical condition. WOW! I am so filled with emotion right now. What is going on here is horrible! There are so many innocent people involved in the middle of this. It is unlike anything I have ever seen.

We are supposed to be going back to the Kibati camp tonight, but they are going to take us to a different camp. Tomorrow, we have to go through the front lines and go into rebel territory for interviews there. We have papers from the Congolese Govt, Congolese Army and from Rebel leaders that give us permission to travel through the area unharmed.

On the outside, I am not showing any fear. That would just make everyone all the more nervous. After all, I was hired as a guide and middle-man. I am the one that knows this area and people here. If I showed my fear, the documentary crew would probably pack up and leave. I feel it is very important that they get what they need and show the world what is happening here.

The News team here is very shaken by todays events and are downright scared of going into rebel territory. I assure them it will be ok, but even I have my doubts. There are so many little skirmishes going around and you never know when we can be caught in the middle or struck with a stray bullet. To make matters worse, it seems that a lot of the soldiers on both sides are either drinking or high most of the time. We talked to one government soldier that told us they are smoking a lot of pot and taking pills to sleep and then pills to give them energy everyday. You never know what is going to happen around Hyped up soldiers.

We will be traveling with either UN peacekeepers or Congolese soldiers to the front line and then with Rebel soldiers as we cross the front. A Congolese Soldier gave us a rifle today and told us to keep it with us just in case something happens and we get ambushed, etc. WTF I thought the news crew was going to crap their pants I can't imagine anywhere else that a government soldier would give a gun to people they are escorting. The soldier told us "Use this if something happen to us and you group are left alone and have to fend for yourself". Not super re-assuring when a government soldier has a feeling that "Something is going to happen" to them.

I will try and take some pics. We have a long list of places that are off limits. As a matter of fact, we are not supposed to take digital or film pictures anywhere and we can use the Video Camera only in certain areas. I am still going to try and sneak some pic here and there.

I have to admit I am super nervous right now and sleep is out of the question! I haven't slept since crossing the Rwanda/DRC border and I may not sleep till we leave.

SO MUCH FOR THE CEASE FIRE!