So it's been almost a month since I last wrote anything about this experience. As you can see I JUST got around to updating this site with old material. It's been a whirlwind of events with the occasional lack of electricity and dodgy internet - or none at home.
Where to start... Well with Egypt's win of the Africa cup of course! You won't believe the congrats I got from all our Sudanese colleagues and random people who found out I was Egyptian and felt the need to pat me on the back as if I was the guy who actually scored the goals. I'm sure my Egyptian friend Shawky got the same treatment. It's amazing how invested people can get when there is nothing left to occupy their minds.
I'm loving the house I'm staying in. It's know as the "Secret Lair" but someone referred to it as the "Famous House" and that's just no good. A small group of iNGO types bought some bikes and they became known as the "Bike Gang" - who like to frequent the "Secret Lair" at times. Naturally all manner of baked goods await them.
Olivia left the Secret Lair for Khartoum. We will certainly miss her. She could rattle off a sentence or two (yes Olivia, you do talk a lot) but the silence after she left was deafening. Sniff. Have fun in Khartoum! UNDP in Nyala is way cooler tho... heh.
Speaking of which - got to go on my first mission a few weeks ago with some peeps from UNDP, UNFPA, and a few of the human rights crew (or mafia, as I like to call them). It was to this place called Graida - one of the largest IDP camps in the are. Almost 140,000 IDPs live here. Absolutely insane... many of the NGOs pulled out of the area after violence late last year but ICRC, the troopers that they are, truck on providing services and trainings wherever possible. I conducted a few interviews with detainees in rebel custody. It's amazing how there is no formalized justice system here - it's all customary law - and I know jack about the traditions. Lots to learn in the tribal arena.
I'm on my first break right now in Dubai visiting the folks. Healthwise - not so good. They ain't as young as they used to be. Makes me worried. I hope it's nothing serious. Sigh.
Back to Khartoum on Saturday and then Darfur on Sunday... I need to arrange a place to stay otherwise I'll be hanging out on the base sleeping in open air cafeteria...
As always... good times.
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