The cabin fever, funnily enough, seemed like a distant dream within about 3 minutes of arriving at Juba airport to wait for my plane to Dubai. Oh how I wish I had been able to use my camera! Below a faded picture of Jesus, hands held out in benediction, was a selotaped notice asking you to present your bags for inspection - it was as if Jesus was demonstrating that if he could present his bags, well then, so could you. I had made the mistake of getting there far too early, expecting chaos and guns, and in fact, I was treated with extreme courtesy by everyone, and managed immigration in 10 minutes. This left me to sit in the departures room for an hour and a half, trying to understand why, when there had already been two security checks to get that far, those passengers travelling on Ethiopian Air had another little table set up at the gate, 5 metres from the previous check, and were asked to present their bags again, just before boarding. There seemed no obvious hiding places in that 5 metres.
Dubai really is a funny old place - by night all sparkles and shininess, by day..well...deserty. The heat is constant, 40 degrees (we were lucky - it had been MUCH hotter) during the day, with no respite at night, the temperature an even 40 . It is, of course a shoppers paradise, and shop we did. Not being a traditional "girly" girl, I eschewed the handbags and shoes, in favour of buying a lovely Macbook Pro, on which I now write. Despite the PC purists protestations, it really is a thing of beauty, and something that I would never have been able to afford before, so I count myself very lucky. We chatted, drank ridiculously potent cocktails, even went for a little dive on the coast - a lovely, proper catch-up with one of my favourite people.
My flight back to the UK was wonderful. I had decided that I would ask at the airport if there was an upgrade to business class available, having heard great things about Emirates Business. I had set myself a figure that I was prepared to pay, and was determined to stick to it. Of course, when that figure came back at almost three times what I had decided on, with very little hesitation, I said " yes please !"
So off I trotted to the business lounge, got myself a little glass of Moet, and enjoyed the peace and tranquility away from the madding crowds. " How long will it take me to get to the gate from here? " I enquired of my solicitous waiter - "Oh, Madam boards from the lounge...". I LOVE business ! As I entered the plane, on my right I could faintly hear the sounds of children crying, as I turned LEFT, and settled into my fully reclining , wide armchair with a widescreen TV. "Would Madam like a glass of champagne before take-off? " Why yes, Madam would....... "Steak and a cheese platter? " Yes please !
Having spent less that $700 in 13 weeks in Juba, treating myself to a bit of luxury was definitely deserved.
The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of hugs, catching up and good food. I also, rather unexpectedly, managed to fall in love, with a man who I have known for a very long time, but not seen for many years. This of course is going to put a rather different slant on working abroad. Previously I had only myself to consider, but now all that has changed. Of course, with the internet, and Skype, the world is a smaller place, and it is easier not to feel so disconnected, but let's face it, it's not the same as actually being in the same room .
The situation here in South Sudan is uneasy, with reports of isolated outbreaks of violence up and down the country . However, that is no different, it seems , from every other nation on the planet. We have good security measures here, and if it comes to it, we will be pulled out, it is to be hoped, in plenty of time.
So, back to work, back to the quirky madness that most people here seem to be afflicted with, back to warm days, cool nights, back to trying to get my supplies over washed out bridges ( or should I say " Bridge"), and back to chicken and rice...every day. This next rotation is going to present a different set of challenges and I think I will have to be stronger than I have been up till now.
I think the next 9 weeks until my next trip home are going to last rather a long time..........
