Driving down the main road in Juba, we never make it out of second gear. Swerving this way and that, the driver attempts to avoid the massive potholes and collapsed sections of road. Passing people living in abandoned lots, and those zipping around on their motorbikes, we finally arrive at our destination- JIT, the only supermarket in Juba. An expat heaven for alcohol, cigarettes, international food, all for only double, triple or quadruple the price you would pay elsewhere in the world. You need a toaster? $50 please.
I keep having to remind myself that this is only the second day, although it feels like it has been a week. Yesterday I read a lot of program documents and reports, and today I worked on making a water policy overview more user friendly for a minstry level conference coming up in mid June. I will have to say, working in an office, whether it is in Juba or Chicago, really isn't much different. I wouldn't have even really known I was in Southern Sudan had I not went to JIT with some other staff members.
It's also a strange feeling to be living and working in Juba on development projects, but not doing anything in the city where we actually can see the poverty and shortcomings of governance/social services. I hope I get to go out into the field soon so I can actually see what Winrock is doing and who they are helping/enabling to help themselves.
Additionally, at times life in this compound seems to be extremely pampered. There are maids that clean your room, someone cooks 3 meals a day for you, I'm not paying rent my "office" is just a 5 second walk from my room, and there's satellite tv (weird considering I haven't owned a tv this year and would never consider buying satellite programming). Further, has not been as hot as they say. I have been able to wear pants each day outside, and each building has air conditioning (when was the last time I had air conditioning in my apartment? never!).
Lastly, things I wish I had brought: Oddly enough- a pair of scissors (would have been handy twice today).
Cheers to new adventures.
