Kite flying

Another hot, hazy day in Juba. Myself and my DH (darling husband to those who are not familiar with this blog) were in the pool at the hotel this morning, feeling very chilled out and refreshed by the cool water. We saw the kites circuling on thermals in the distance and then they got closer....and closer.... then they were directly above us in the pool, at times only 8-10 metres above our heads, they started swooping and diving around. It was spectacular, almost as if it was choreographed! Moments like that make being here much more of an adventure.

My girls

Had a good visit to the girls centre today. It was lovely to see 'my girls' again after more than 6 weeks. Some of the have grown their hair just long enough to have it plaited, looks so sweet. Now instead of interacting with all of the girls, the centre manager has allocated me 6 girls in the 5-7 age group (I think, some of them don't know their ages) to work with more closely. I took a couple of story books and sat in the dining area with the 6 but some of the others kept wandering in to see the pictures. I had to tell them they could not stay and they were disappointed so I felt bad. What to do?
This morning I had a walk around the block at 9am before it got too hot. Some of the kids waved and shouted 'good morning', probably the only English they know. Several women responded to my greetings too and it was so nice just to get out of the hotel compound.

Wildlife

Quite an interesting weekend. Friday evening I noticed a commotion around the pool, people were running and calling to others to come. Of course my nose bothered me so I had to go and have a look. There was a monkey sitting by the pool, calm as you like! Most people, I discovered, were not actually running away to safety as I first thought.....no, they were running to fetch cameras and phones to take pictures of it! He was quite a big fella (assuming it was a male) and seemed relaxed around people, as if he was posing for the cameras, until the dog started chasing him that is. I thought he was rather scary personally. I know they can be vicious and unpredictable so I was all for chasing it away. I didn't fancy it taking up residence in the grounds, that's for sure. I sat on the patio with DH and a colleague having drinks and nibbles before dinner while some residents threw fruit for the monkey to eat. Great, I thought, that will just make him want to come back.
He was still around the next day, I was in the pool when he just came sauntering up. I flicked water at him, not having anything firmer to hand! That must have hurt his feelings as he did wander off in a huff only to reappear later (was he stalking me?) right behind me on a path through the camp. I found some stones that time but I do tend to throw like a girl so was not a real threat. He wandered off down the path and through an open gate into the empty lot behind the hotel as if to say, 'we'll i was leaving anyway!'.
I think I was the only person in the place who didn't get a photo of him so you will just have to use your imagination, ok?
Haven't seen him around today. Did see a mongoose though, rather shy and retiring creature, keeping to the shadows in the evening.
Cant imagine how I was ever bored here!!!!

Here we go again!

Here I am back in Juba after a lovely 6 weeks in England. Christmas with my mum up north was great and new year with my husband in our house in wiltshire was cosy and fun.
Arriving at Juba airport is always an experience, Thursday was no exception. No air conditioning, wall to wall people and no polite queuing! I did get my visa eventually, and had my luggage checked and marked with a chalk cross before exiting the building into the hot afternoon sun and the warm welcome of our driver.
Not much change at the hotel, usual suspects present, lots of 'welcome back' s and 'Happy New Year' s and hugs from the female staff. We just dumped the cases and headed for the pool, bliss!

Here we go again!

Here I am back in Juba after what seems like ages, probably because it has been ages, almost 8 weeks! I had a great time in England catching up with family and friends (unfortunately not all of them) and making new friends too.  I did lots of walking, across fields initially as the weather was very kind and it was dry underfoot, then by the canal when it became dull and damp later in September/October. Had my mum to stay for a week which was great, even did some cooking (one of my main grumbles about living in Juba is that I have no cooking facilities) and baking. Also managed to squeeze in some retail therapy of course. DH arrived home for his 2 week leave which passed all too quickly then in what seemed like no time at all we were back on a plane.
It was a long weekend as we arrived back in Juba (after a very pleasant overnight stay in Nairobi) to celebrate the muslem festival of Eid al Adha so DH didnt have to go to the office on the Friday but he did have a full day of meetings at the hotel however. I must say one of the nice things about being back is the pool which DH and I made use of over the weekend, very relaxing.
Today is my first day back alone as I went into town on Monday for shopping and other chores and on Tuesday I went to the girls centre where my gift of balloons went down very well! It was lovely to see the girls again and the ladies who look after them.
So I am back into my routine now, I have been for a walk doing some bird watching (not too many around at the moment) I did my bible readings and prayers sitting outside in the shade, need to do some emails and then its lunch time. Maybe some exercise later with my new Davina McColl DVD, another walk and so my day goes.........sort of nice to be back .....ish!
 

Bugs and frogs!

Wow, its been ages since i wrote anything, not because i have been busy or anything! I have been back for nearly 4 weeks and i am off home again on Friday for quite a long time.  I will leave DH here all by himself,  aaaahhhhh. 
We seem to be having a plague of frogs here at the moment, due to lots of rain i suppose.  They are everywhere, now i know what the egyptians in the time of the Exodus must have felt like.  Most of them are suicidal, throwing themselves under my feet as I walk by, making me jump.  A few of them are super friendly, finding their way into the hotel room and taking up residence under the bed from where they emerge jumping (as they do) as if to say 'surprise!'.  I usually am surprised and respond in an equally 'jumpy' manner.  The cats like to eat them, the dog just chases them but doesn't know what to do when it catches them and the only child on the compound likes to wade into their pond with his wellies on to spy on them.  Hours of amusement!

Bugs however are a different matter, not very amusing in my book.  DH and I were walking around the tennis court this morning after breakfast and found a heaving, writhing mass of bugs, possibly newly hatched, with billions of legs between them, uuugggghhh.  Hope they don't find their way into the bedroom!!!!

Independence Day

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!