South Sudan: A first impression

My first look at South Sudan came from the opening area beyond the front gates of the airport.  The quick glimpse is exactly the Africa as I expected. Bathed by intense sunlight and 35 degree heat is a world that is a typically dusty orange-red with  one paved road, little corrugated-roof shanty houses and plenty of people just hanging around.  South Sudan is remarkably similar to my first experiences of Liberia with the exception of the lack of intense humidity. Of course, by the time I made it out of the airport, my typically amazing powers of observation were failing me due to intense exhaustion from the flight.

I didn’t sleep at all on the overnight flight to Nairobi from Amsterdam and with a six hour layover, I sweltered from the Nairobi heat at the airport.  Considering that I was still wearing long underwear to protect myself from the Nederland’s cold weather, I was the only one to blame for sweating like a monkey in heat and the incoherence that followed.

My time in Juba was short.  Security is high with recent car-jackings and security staff getting shot while on their shift so movement is still questionable.  I am still learning the rhythm of this country.  Like with everywhere that you travel, a city has a heart beat and a rhythm which defines what is acceptable and what is not.  For now, on my second day here, the rules are easy: don’t walk alone, don’t go out late at night, and make sure somebody knows where you are at all times but once you know the rules, you can have fun even in an insecure city.  The trauma from decades of war is obvious and the healing process will take a while but I can already feel that there is a warm kindness to the local people.

After a good 12 hour sleep, I got the flight from Juba to Wau – a one hour trip commercially hosted by the World Food Program.

Power in my guest house is limited so blogging will be difficult.  Taking photos is also a challenge as walking around alone is prohibited and I am still learning what is culturally acceptable and what isn’t..

This is my second day in South Sudan and it is already very interesting.  More to come…

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