Stranded in the Heart of Darkness

A Tale of Misadventure and a Travel Survival Guide

By: Vincent Zandri A Journalism Single

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

From Stranded in the Heart of Darkness... "Red-shirted man speaks once more. In turn, I gaze at the interpreter, await his translation. “You have fought and killed many men?” he hesitantly asks. I shake my head. “No,” I say, taken aback. “I have never killed anyone.” “In the voodoo culture,” the translator goes on, “men who are able to wear such a band are considered to be powerful fighters.” Now gesturing towards the red-shirted man. “This man here envies you for your power.” _________________ In 2009, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vincent Zandri traveled to Benin, Africa to report on the work being done on a hospital ship docked at the Port of Cotonou. During the two week mission, Zandri went into the bush to inspect a new agricultural center being constructed there. A seemingly simple enough assignment. But what he encountered instead was trouble when the 4X4 he and his fixer were driving became hopelessly struck in a swamp. The rescue that occurred later would come not in the form of EMTs or the fire brigade, but instead a group of voodoo practicing natives. For lovers of solo travel stories, adventurers, freelance journalists, and more.