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.