Sunday, May 25, 2008
Bost Trippin' Up the Nile
As above the picture indicates, I went with a group of people (friends & coworkers...coworkers=friends here as I still don't really know anybody else) and chartered a boat to take us up the Nile. Our trip was to last about 5 hours, and we were supposed to head towards some pretty waterfall up river. We were able (thank god) to pack our boat full of food and alcohol as well as fun loving people.
The waterfall never really materialized (it ended up being some rapids that wouldn't have even been much fun in a raft), but the scenery was well worth the trip. Sudan used to be home to hundreds of species of land animals as well as bird life. Only 60 years ago one could find elephants, lions, African buffalo, hyenas, and all sorts of other big game...but hunting, poaching, and 40 years of civil war have eliminated almost all wildlife. We did see lots of colorful and interesting looking birds though (not pictured), and were hoping to see crocodiles. The Nile is apparently stuffed full of crocs, but we didn't get to see any.
Not seeing crocs was probably a good thing though...as I and others went swimming and floating when the day got too hot (and the lack of onboard bathroom facilities proved to be too much). When we got to a point that was walking distance from the 'waterfall' we pulled to shore for a brief hike along the riverside. It was a good break and a good chance to see some different scenery.
There were seveal times throughout the day when I had to pinch myself. I couldn't believe that I was boating up and swimming in the Nile...one of the biggest, most important rivers in the world. I truly felt like I was in Africa. The day was beautiful, the water was beautiful, the people were beautiful. Everything was perfect.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
My Home in Juba
These are some pics of my cabin in Juba. Don't be misled though...I don't really live in a jungle paradise. If you look closely at the top picture you will see the 10ftx15ft Home Depot garden shed that I call home. The setup around everything is pretty nice, I'm not complaining...but looking at these pictures now I think they might be a bit misleading.
This is my first try posting pictures, and I'm not terribly sure how well its going to work. So this is going to be it for now. But if this looks good, I'll be sure to put more up.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Best Post Ever!!!!
I apologize in advance. This won't really be the best post ever. I just wanted to put something up there to grab your attention. It's been so long since my last post (sorry) that I'm afraid that my readership is going to drop from the four or five people who likely logged on to read the last one to only one or two, probably related to me. A catchy title like 'Best Post Ever' with so many exclamation points should get people coming again. I'm pretty sure.
Anyway...first order of business is to let you all know that I am alive and well. Oliver pointed out that when one lives in a country like Sudan, and one's last post is about being sick to death, one may be feared to have actually died when one does not post on the blog that he or she has promised to post on at least once per week. This thought had not occurred to me, as I was alive and well. But I promise that if I ever write about being sick again I will keep you all updated with my recovery. I think this is what Oliver really wanted...to know how often I go to the bathroom.
A few posts back, in an attempt to pique your collective interests and to get you coming back, I promised to tell you tales about exotic pets and potential helicopter rides. Well now I will.
First the pets. We have, at our compound, a living, breathing mongoose as a family pet. A MONGOOSE. Now, I don't know what you know about mongooses (mongeese? mongeeses? foie gras?), but all I knew about them before arriving here and having one as a pet was that they are known to catch, kill, and eat poisonous snakes...like cobras (which I'm told we do have around here too somewhere, but I'm not particularly keen to invite one of those here to join us in our adventure).
Well, surprise surprise, the little devil is actually quite cute, and as long as you don't dress your arm up like a snake, its actually playful and loving and fun. He likes to bite your fingers, but he's pretty good about not sinking his little fangs too deep. The less you pull away when your finger is in his mouth, the better...he just kind of nibbles. Now, to be fair, he's still a bit of a youngster, and when he becomes a teen he might decide to become a punk. But for now he's happy enough to burrow into your lap at the end of the night and fall asleep. Lovely.
Now, helicopters. I had never been on a helicopter before coming here. Had always wanted to be on one, but offers never made their way to me. Then, in the space of four days, I not only got to spend about 13 hours flying on them, but also got to fly in an Mi-26...the biggest, heaviest, most powerful helicopter ever built. I suggest you Wikipedia it. It's crazily big. It can transport over 90 people fully geared up. We moved two Land Cruisers, about 300 liters of water, and a bunch of food on it when we flew.
Now, I recognize that this might not seem all that cool to all of you. But thats probably because you hate fun and things that are amazing. For all of you who love fun, and love amazing things...you are amazed and having lots of fun reading this post.
Maybe it is the best post ever after all. I hope so.
I'll try to be better about posting. And promise to try and upload some pictures. I'm still not sure how to do it...but thats mostly because I haven't tried.
Anyway...first order of business is to let you all know that I am alive and well. Oliver pointed out that when one lives in a country like Sudan, and one's last post is about being sick to death, one may be feared to have actually died when one does not post on the blog that he or she has promised to post on at least once per week. This thought had not occurred to me, as I was alive and well. But I promise that if I ever write about being sick again I will keep you all updated with my recovery. I think this is what Oliver really wanted...to know how often I go to the bathroom.
A few posts back, in an attempt to pique your collective interests and to get you coming back, I promised to tell you tales about exotic pets and potential helicopter rides. Well now I will.
First the pets. We have, at our compound, a living, breathing mongoose as a family pet. A MONGOOSE. Now, I don't know what you know about mongooses (mongeese? mongeeses? foie gras?), but all I knew about them before arriving here and having one as a pet was that they are known to catch, kill, and eat poisonous snakes...like cobras (which I'm told we do have around here too somewhere, but I'm not particularly keen to invite one of those here to join us in our adventure).
Well, surprise surprise, the little devil is actually quite cute, and as long as you don't dress your arm up like a snake, its actually playful and loving and fun. He likes to bite your fingers, but he's pretty good about not sinking his little fangs too deep. The less you pull away when your finger is in his mouth, the better...he just kind of nibbles. Now, to be fair, he's still a bit of a youngster, and when he becomes a teen he might decide to become a punk. But for now he's happy enough to burrow into your lap at the end of the night and fall asleep. Lovely.
Now, helicopters. I had never been on a helicopter before coming here. Had always wanted to be on one, but offers never made their way to me. Then, in the space of four days, I not only got to spend about 13 hours flying on them, but also got to fly in an Mi-26...the biggest, heaviest, most powerful helicopter ever built. I suggest you Wikipedia it. It's crazily big. It can transport over 90 people fully geared up. We moved two Land Cruisers, about 300 liters of water, and a bunch of food on it when we flew.
Now, I recognize that this might not seem all that cool to all of you. But thats probably because you hate fun and things that are amazing. For all of you who love fun, and love amazing things...you are amazed and having lots of fun reading this post.
Maybe it is the best post ever after all. I hope so.
I'll try to be better about posting. And promise to try and upload some pictures. I'm still not sure how to do it...but thats mostly because I haven't tried.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Well...that didn't take long
In my last post I spoke of the impending 'Jubitis' that everyone new to Juba gets.
Ahem...you will all be pleased to know that I have apparently set a new camp record for the fastest ever acquisition of the sickness. Please notify the fine people from the Guinness Book of World Records. I'd like some sort of reward other than the time spent on the toilet, time spent in the fetal position in bed, and the time spent showering myself with vomit.
I was very much hoping to present myself as an experienced traveler, toughened against the bacteria, parasites, bugs, etc that take down the rest of the newbies. Instead, Friday night at about 1:30am (approximately 36 hours after my arrival in Juba) I was stumbling around the corner of my cabin and puking my brains out. This was followed by a nauseous night that alternated between me holding myself in bed and limping to the toilet to diarrhea out everything that didn't climb out of my throat earlier in the evening. I apologize for the descriptive nature of the post, but want all you readers to feel (and eventually see) everything I feel here in Juba, both good and bad.
Fortunately the weariness, aches, pains, runs, etc of Jubitis were relatively quick in letting go of my system. I rested most of the day Saturday, got close to 12 hours of sleep on Saturday night, and by Sunday morning was feeling much better. Getting to return to the US Consulate and their lovely swimming pool on Sunday may have helped my demeanor as well.
I am now running at around 90% (I doubt I'll be shitting solidly for many of the 44 weeks or so that I am scheduled to be here), and hope that I have gotten things out of my system for the time being. Only time will tell...
Ahem...you will all be pleased to know that I have apparently set a new camp record for the fastest ever acquisition of the sickness. Please notify the fine people from the Guinness Book of World Records. I'd like some sort of reward other than the time spent on the toilet, time spent in the fetal position in bed, and the time spent showering myself with vomit.
I was very much hoping to present myself as an experienced traveler, toughened against the bacteria, parasites, bugs, etc that take down the rest of the newbies. Instead, Friday night at about 1:30am (approximately 36 hours after my arrival in Juba) I was stumbling around the corner of my cabin and puking my brains out. This was followed by a nauseous night that alternated between me holding myself in bed and limping to the toilet to diarrhea out everything that didn't climb out of my throat earlier in the evening. I apologize for the descriptive nature of the post, but want all you readers to feel (and eventually see) everything I feel here in Juba, both good and bad.
Fortunately the weariness, aches, pains, runs, etc of Jubitis were relatively quick in letting go of my system. I rested most of the day Saturday, got close to 12 hours of sleep on Saturday night, and by Sunday morning was feeling much better. Getting to return to the US Consulate and their lovely swimming pool on Sunday may have helped my demeanor as well.
I am now running at around 90% (I doubt I'll be shitting solidly for many of the 44 weeks or so that I am scheduled to be here), and hope that I have gotten things out of my system for the time being. Only time will tell...
Friday, April 25, 2008
Welcome to Juba
Alright, alright, alright...
I left Nairobi yesterday morning at around 11:30am and, after the most leg-cramped due to tight seating 1.5hr flight of my life, arrived safe and sound in Juba.
No kidding around about the lack or roads and infrastructure here. The trip from the airport to the PAE camp took about 20min, but couldn't have been more than 2 miles. The entire trip was one long, bumpy, muddy, ride in a 4x4. I didn't get to see much of the town, but from what I did see its all tin-roofed shacks and huts. The center undoubtedly has some concrete and cinder block buildings, but even these would probably all be one storey. Not that this is surprising...just three years ago there wouldn't have been even a quarter as many buildings or half as many people.
The PAE camp (which is basically all I've seen of Juba so far) far exceeds any expectations I had coming in. The camp itself is really well maintained, with individual offices and sleep quarters, a fully functioning restaurant and bar (that non-PAE people can eat at) and even a bit of landscaping. I don't have pictures yet, but I'll try and put some up soon.
I was absolutely prepared for the worst, which probably makes things seem a little better to me than they really are, but its truly amazing. There is wireless Internet (sort of spotty though), A/C in the offices and the rooms (all of which are pre-fab container type structures), 24hrs of electricity, running water (sometimes even hot), etc. I even have 'maids' that come and sweep my room every day, make my bed, and do my laundry. This is better living than I had in DC!!!
I'm sure that I'll get tired of the food, and that some of the awe I have will eventually wear off...but for now I'm really happy with it all.
The bugs aren't that bad yet (will definitely get worse as the rainy season goes on), and are mostly limited to flies and mosquitoes, and though its hot outside, its not so hot that you want to collapse. I have been told by everybody that in a day or two I will come down with my first case of 'Jubitis' (diarrhea, cramps, upset stomach, etc), but I was expecting that too, and consider it just part of the gig.
I have much more to share, but don't want this post to get too long. As a teaser to keep you coming back, however, imagine exotic pets, the potential for helicopter rides, and other fun things.
I left Nairobi yesterday morning at around 11:30am and, after the most leg-cramped due to tight seating 1.5hr flight of my life, arrived safe and sound in Juba.
No kidding around about the lack or roads and infrastructure here. The trip from the airport to the PAE camp took about 20min, but couldn't have been more than 2 miles. The entire trip was one long, bumpy, muddy, ride in a 4x4. I didn't get to see much of the town, but from what I did see its all tin-roofed shacks and huts. The center undoubtedly has some concrete and cinder block buildings, but even these would probably all be one storey. Not that this is surprising...just three years ago there wouldn't have been even a quarter as many buildings or half as many people.
The PAE camp (which is basically all I've seen of Juba so far) far exceeds any expectations I had coming in. The camp itself is really well maintained, with individual offices and sleep quarters, a fully functioning restaurant and bar (that non-PAE people can eat at) and even a bit of landscaping. I don't have pictures yet, but I'll try and put some up soon.
I was absolutely prepared for the worst, which probably makes things seem a little better to me than they really are, but its truly amazing. There is wireless Internet (sort of spotty though), A/C in the offices and the rooms (all of which are pre-fab container type structures), 24hrs of electricity, running water (sometimes even hot), etc. I even have 'maids' that come and sweep my room every day, make my bed, and do my laundry. This is better living than I had in DC!!!
I'm sure that I'll get tired of the food, and that some of the awe I have will eventually wear off...but for now I'm really happy with it all.
The bugs aren't that bad yet (will definitely get worse as the rainy season goes on), and are mostly limited to flies and mosquitoes, and though its hot outside, its not so hot that you want to collapse. I have been told by everybody that in a day or two I will come down with my first case of 'Jubitis' (diarrhea, cramps, upset stomach, etc), but I was expecting that too, and consider it just part of the gig.
I have much more to share, but don't want this post to get too long. As a teaser to keep you coming back, however, imagine exotic pets, the potential for helicopter rides, and other fun things.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
First Stop Nairobi
Welcome to Juba Soup. My attempt to blog my life and times as a State Department contractor in Juba, Sudan.
I'm not there yet, so I can't say for sure what its going to be like, who I'm going to meet, or even what I'm really going to be doing.
In a nutshell, for those who don't know me or don't know what I'm doing, I am going to be living and working in Juba for the next year as an employee of Pacific Architects & Engineers (PAE). PAE is a government contractor working around the world on all sorts of different contracts...but among their specialties are working to develop government capacities in rule of law and judicial reform. I think this is what I'll be helping to do, but I'm still not entirely sure.
As I said, I'm not quite there yet. Right now I'm in Nairobi, Kenya waiting for my Sudanese visa to come through. I've been here before, so its not an overwhelmingly different place to me, but its exciting nonetheless.
Today was spent mostly exploring, stocking up on some supplies, and recovering from the long trip. Tomorrow will be more of the same, and I should be gone by Thursday. No one will probably have seen this by then...but this is a good start.
Off we go...
I'm not there yet, so I can't say for sure what its going to be like, who I'm going to meet, or even what I'm really going to be doing.
In a nutshell, for those who don't know me or don't know what I'm doing, I am going to be living and working in Juba for the next year as an employee of Pacific Architects & Engineers (PAE). PAE is a government contractor working around the world on all sorts of different contracts...but among their specialties are working to develop government capacities in rule of law and judicial reform. I think this is what I'll be helping to do, but I'm still not entirely sure.
As I said, I'm not quite there yet. Right now I'm in Nairobi, Kenya waiting for my Sudanese visa to come through. I've been here before, so its not an overwhelmingly different place to me, but its exciting nonetheless.
Today was spent mostly exploring, stocking up on some supplies, and recovering from the long trip. Tomorrow will be more of the same, and I should be gone by Thursday. No one will probably have seen this by then...but this is a good start.
Off we go...
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