Another Christmas in Juba
Well, it’s Christmas Day again and I find myself still in Juba. It’s a bit concerning as after last years’ Christmas, I swore I would not be in Juba again for the holidays. But, here I am.
Of course, this years celebration was far more comfortable than last year (when I was stuck in a little apartment connected to my office with only a generator for company). This year, the management of The Jebel Lodge (where I now reside) put on a pretty good show for Christmas Eve dinner. The menu included pâté, a lovely roast turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, and mini mince meat pies. There were even Christmas crackers to play with, complete with a small toy inside and the traditional bad joke (although the Christmas crowns and traditional “popping” sound were sadly missing).
The Jebel Lodge Pool
Today, it seems that it’s a good day to hang out by the pool — the Russian pilots from UNMIS (United Nation Mission in Sudan) are here, frolicking around in their speedos and playing unsafe games in the pool, the Jebel Lodge management and friends are enjoying some Bloody Marys and throwing each other in the pool and I, introvert that I am, am sitting in the dining hall just enjoying the breeze and what I call “Juba TV” (the madness that is in the pool).
As I write, another group of Jubites just walked in the main gate (they look like another group of roughnecks that make up the humanitarian aid community). This should be an interesting day.
I have been visited by one Christmas elf already — our Deputy Chief of Party, Stefanie, has been baking since early this morning making chocolate chip cookies and Christmas shortbread cookies that are complete with frosting to make pretty snowman, Santas, stars and other yuletide icons. Stefanie even slipped me some uncooked cookie dough which I have been gobbling up and making me very happy!
Next year, I really hope to be around family and friends, much like the rest of the world. But, as these holidays go, this one hasn’t been too bad at all! My best wishes for a wonderful holiday season to all who may read this post…
