Today is Independence day here. We have stayed away from town as we were told there would be parades and VIPs moving around so roads would be closed without warning. I thought there would be more noise (we were told that gunfire would be normal!) parties and stuff but so far haven't heard anything. It's a public holiday but poor DH has been working for a few hours. We did find time for a dip in the pool before lunch however.
I have had a very interesting/busy week and a bit, probably my busiest time since I arrived here. I climbed a hill with some friends the saturday before last, hard work and hot but at least there was a bit of a breeze. The view from the top was worth it. On the Sunday I went out early, bird watching with Mark who works at the British Embassy (check out his blog at birdingsouthsudan.blogspot.com great photos). I was amazed at the variety of birds we saw and thoroughly enjoyed walking out into the bush and just listening to the birdsong.
Also I have started going to a centre for street girls twice a week in Juba. These girls would be living on the streets/rubbish dumps/markets or in the sex trade if it wasn't for the centre. It's run by a lovely Christian lady with a great team behind her and cares for about 30 girls of varying ages. Some are quite young and those are the ones I focus on, mostly playing games, singing songs and having hugs. They also run a vocational training centre for older girls doing catering and hospitality, some of these girls have been rescued from brothels in Juba.
This weekend I went bird watching again early on Saturday with Mark to a different location with equally great results.
So that's quite busy for me! Usually I spend my time wandering around the compound here or chatting to the staff so it is a nice change.
We are travelling to England next week (very excited!) for a family wedding, hope the weather improves! So may not write any more until after our hols.
Photo of me up a hill!
