Antsy

Note: This is more just a quick string of thoughts thrown down on paper so don't expect any literature or intrigue here...

Yeah, a bit nervous... visa still not in, Khartoum writing me asking me when I'm coming, and on top of all that I find out that I could have been a protection officer on the ground around Jebel Marra if only I had not yet signed the letter of intent for UNMIS. Ah well... I'm sure something will present itself soon enough. Either way, I'll be in the area so who knows - probably take a trip just to see... Natasha will also be there. Had no idea until she wrote me today that she ran her shop... dunno what umbrella she's under but I guess I'll find out sooner or later. I really should start packing... not tonight tho.

Let's begin...

So the UNV program after a hiccup or two decided to send me to Sudan. Awesome, since I've wanted to do some hard challenging work in the field. Now everyone is talking about obstruction by the Sudanese of UNAMID deployment. Wasn't entirely clear on what they meant until the embassy of Sudan refused to give me a visa without paying. I wouldn't have thought twice about it (that's how desperate I am to get out of the US right now) but when I checked with UNV they told me not to pay under any circumstances. Must be the principle... great. They tell me they're going to file a complaint with Sudan's MFA. I'm not even there yet and already I'm causing problems.

Good times...