Catherine's Quest: Doin' the Juba Hustle

Got up early, am glad I packed last night. According to Nancy, the front desk, front run the show person at Mayfield, our ride to the airport would be ready in 5 minutes. Yikes, no shower for me. We (Aaron and I) got our bags outside and ready only to be told by the group going into Werkok that there was not enough room for us. Hmmmmm, plan B (or C,D,E) goes into effect. We had two seats on the plane, so what we did was cancel our seats to make room for our luggage. Then I purchased tickets to Juba at Jetlink Airlines. We went toWilson Airfield to take our luggage and saw Pilot Jon Hildebrandt. So good to see him again. He has flown me into Werkok many times and I even stayed at his home in Loki once when we had a layover. It was good to catch up on family matters etc.

Aaron and I then caught a ride to Kenyatta Airport and off we went to Juba, our original plan. We were met at the airport by Jacob Gai's (he was in St. Joe last summer) cousin and were wisked through customs. He got us a cab to where we are staying. It is SIL guesthouse. It is OK. Internet and a fan. It is hot hot hot. Juba is usually hotter than Werkok. Aaron and I will venture out in a few minutes. Off to explore and to go to dinner. I remember a few restaurants from a previous visit.

It was amazing flying over South Sudan and seeing the Nile, which is right at Juba, from the air. I instantly recognized the land I have so come to love. How strange it is to have such a connection to this hot, dry, dusty land. It was so good to see the people. To see their markings, their height. They are kind and hospitable. I feel nearly home. I will be home when I get to Werkok tomorrow.

If I have a chance later, I will fill you in on the night in Juba. Otherwise I will do it tomorrow. Until then
C
Yes I have a chance. Aaron and I went out exploring this much changed city. When I was last here there was only one paved road. It was about 100 yards long. Now a major portion of the city, at least the main roads, are all paved. What a difference. There is not nearly as much red dirt flying around. We got on botas, these are motorcycle taxi's. It was fun. I remember being here in 2008 with Ajak and Deng and going on the botas. It was totally crazy and life threatening. I put my scarf around my face (due to the red dirt/dust) and screamed the whole way cuz the streets were in such awful shape. I will try to upload one here.

We had a delicious dinner at Queen of Sheba restaurant. One of my favorites on this earth. Not too many people there, as I am sure that many of the people NGO's and GO's) are not back yet after the vote. But I do expect that to change in the next week or so. Hopped a mutatu to get back to SIL guesthouse. These are little vans that go on a certain route for a price of 1 Sudanese pound. So I am getting the Juba culture down. I look forward to morning to see what the next adventure will be.
C