morning! morning!

Finally, somebody treated me to an adventure outside of the compound!  After finishing another long day and with nobody seeming interested in beer, I could feel a little agoraphobia coming on but the guys finally came through and so out we went...  Nothing too carnaging of course, just your usual couple of cold Tuskers.  Well, unless you consider going to a bar that, in the last month or so, had experienced a shooting as ‘usual’.  Maybe that was the reason that, in a normally Expat-filled venue, I was the distinct minority?!

Not as dangerous as it sounds, honestly, especially when your company entails some of the more executive members of various international and governmental organisations.  Nevertheless it was my first experience lounging in an environment with a very ‘post-conflict’ feel…I’ve been search for guns before (thank you World Cup 2010) but I’ve not seen local people reserved in dancing to loud bass before but it wasn’t long before the place was busy and carousing again.

Preparations outside the DDG Office / Compound in Juba

It’s been a flash of firsts.  Awaking with little sleep, my next first was a Saturday meeting with Ministry Directors at 9am!  Then the highlight of my day and without doubt the CUTEST thing I’ve seen in my life thus far: tiny TINY children running up to me with one hand firming stretched out ready to shake with mine, shouting morning! morning! morning!  An image that would warm any heart!  Then it was off to my first market where I couldn’t help but notice large jars of Jalapeño Nacho Cheese which will go nicely with my salami toasties (no chef on the weekend you see).  As much as I would love to eat and be enjoying football on my oversized flat screen this afternoon, DDG is busy busy busy! Today’s proceedings will be filled with preparing for our trip to Torit tomorrow to begin trainings, workshops and maybe even some de-mining if I’m lucky.