Went to Bor this afternoon. Caught a ride with a patient who brought his Mom to the hospital. We made it to the junction going into Bor and then caught botas to get downtown. Once again on the motorcycles. Ajak, Jacob and I. What a threesome. Bor was good, went to Bor Hospital. Saw a bunch of doctors in the doctor compound. Held a little baby for awhile. He is so cute. I have pics. About 6 weeks old. They call him Freedom as he was born on the last day of the voting. Saw Gabriel and Michael.. They both seem well. Are working in Bor.
This morning Tim, Thom, Aaron and Tanner left. My little buddy - I will miss Aaron. Gosh we had some adventures. It was fun. He was a sport putting up with this old lady. I will miss him. So I am the only khawaja left in the compound. It will only be for a few days. We, Ajak and I, leave early on Saturday for Juba. We will leave from Bor so that means we have to spend Friday night in Bor. I hope I get done all that I need to. It sure is more convenient to have a plane pick you up where you are, but there was no one else headed to Loki or Nairobi and the charter cost is too much for just me to pay for. So we will hit the road for more adventures in Sudan.
Driving back this evening I was struck by how familiar everything was. I remember a point in time not really knowing where I was. But now, after four years, recognizing landmarks, tukels that were familiar and the family is familiar. The same kids waving when you go by. The trees that I recognize, certain curves in the road. Not too much different than at home, just different landmarks - the fence that is crooked, the tree with the broken limb, the tukel that has a design on the side of it. Even in Bor Town, though it is not too big, I know where shops are in the market. I know the streets and how to get places. I know where to get some good juice or a cold pop. And I always run into people I know. So many people. Today in Bor I met a young man. We got talking and he had been in Atlanta and then Grand Rapids. He went to school in GR - Grand Valley. Then after we were talking, he said to me that I was very familiar to him. Turns out I met him in GR. When Ajak was in SJ we went to GR and met with a bunch of Sudanese, including the Governor of Junglei State. Yes, I was there, and he said he was there and that is where he knows me from. Crazy small world. He has been here for 7 months but will return to the states so that he can get a masters.
Well, that is all for now. Fun day, but a little sad saying bye to those who left today. Travel safe my friends.
C
This morning Tim, Thom, Aaron and Tanner left. My little buddy - I will miss Aaron. Gosh we had some adventures. It was fun. He was a sport putting up with this old lady. I will miss him. So I am the only khawaja left in the compound. It will only be for a few days. We, Ajak and I, leave early on Saturday for Juba. We will leave from Bor so that means we have to spend Friday night in Bor. I hope I get done all that I need to. It sure is more convenient to have a plane pick you up where you are, but there was no one else headed to Loki or Nairobi and the charter cost is too much for just me to pay for. So we will hit the road for more adventures in Sudan.
Driving back this evening I was struck by how familiar everything was. I remember a point in time not really knowing where I was. But now, after four years, recognizing landmarks, tukels that were familiar and the family is familiar. The same kids waving when you go by. The trees that I recognize, certain curves in the road. Not too much different than at home, just different landmarks - the fence that is crooked, the tree with the broken limb, the tukel that has a design on the side of it. Even in Bor Town, though it is not too big, I know where shops are in the market. I know the streets and how to get places. I know where to get some good juice or a cold pop. And I always run into people I know. So many people. Today in Bor I met a young man. We got talking and he had been in Atlanta and then Grand Rapids. He went to school in GR - Grand Valley. Then after we were talking, he said to me that I was very familiar to him. Turns out I met him in GR. When Ajak was in SJ we went to GR and met with a bunch of Sudanese, including the Governor of Junglei State. Yes, I was there, and he said he was there and that is where he knows me from. Crazy small world. He has been here for 7 months but will return to the states so that he can get a masters.
Well, that is all for now. Fun day, but a little sad saying bye to those who left today. Travel safe my friends.
C
You make me cry... I'm a little sad Aaron left Sudan. But am so looking forward to seeing him this weekend.
ReplyDeleteOnce again...as I always say about you... you can go anywhere in the world and you will "run into" someone you know. You are like George Clooney - only maybe even more famous! Stay out of trouble and get back to us safely.
ReplyDelete