Chaotic Juba

I knew I had arrived in Juba the moment I stepped off the plane. The heavy, hot air seemed to consume me.
It was about a-thousand degrees! Well, at least 110.

A new addition to the chaotic hussle at the Juba International Airport: Testing for Ebola which consists of filling out a questionaire, having hand sanitizer squirted in to my hands before you're allowed in to the terminal, and having my temperature taken.
Fun times!
But this is now standard operation in most countries in Africa. No cases of the lethal virus have been sited in South Sudan.... and everyone would love to keep it that way.

I'm greeted by my brother Daniel Majok Gai and after we leave customs we load up the bags in to a van driven by his friend, another Daniel, who has reggie music pumping from the stereo.
We whip through the streets as bota botas (small motorcycles used a s public transportation driven by, well anyone) squeeze through tight spots inbetween cars and pedestrians.
The air is hazy with red dirt and exhaust. Ah, yes, this is Juba!

We head to the Espicopal Guest House, the place where we (PESS team) typically stays before venturing off to the bush.
All four huge bags with our training materials have arrived with me as well.

The Espicopal Guest House, ESC compound, is filled with missionaries, people representing NGO's and the occasional journalist. It's an inexpensive, safe, relatively clean place to stay.

The conversations are always interesting and rich and one can learn a lot by being a fly on the wall.
Last night was a perfect example. While doing work on-line after dinner in the dining room I listened to a conversation of young people which included the ever diplomatic and passionate Daniel Majok Gai.
It was great to hear the young people share their experiences of how they ended up in other parts of the world and eventually back in South Sudan, if only for a visit.
Young people, as are all South Sudanese, are concerned about the future of their young country and how they are portrayed by the media and seen by the rest of the world.

Looks like PESS' Youth Leadership training program is right on time!

-Tamara