Kurmuk

After a 50min chopper from Damezin I have finally arrived to my new home in Kurmuk. It is a very rustic place. Our camp is located just outside the town (4 min drive) to the south. Think of the old MASH series, small isolated camp surrounded by mountains and covered in dirt. That’s where I am.

I have set up my new cabin. I am hoping that my gear and gold bags will arrive today. They could not fit them on the chopper yesterday as both flights were full with passengers. Once my stuff arrives I will be much happier.

Last nights dinner and this morning’s breakfast consisted of peanut butter and a bun. The local markets do not have a great deal of anything. I have paid into the lunch menu here...the others pay for Breakfast/lunch and dinner however they all live in the town in one house. It sounds great 2-6 people per room, no drinkable water, hydro off a generator for 3 hours only and NO A/C!! BUT they are saving a great deal of money and their countries do not pay them well at all so they save as much as possible so that they will be rich when they go home.

There are only a few people that actually live in the camp where I live. None of my workmates (UNMO) live here. I am the only "European" and native English speaker here.

They have a very small gym and some of the equipment works. There is a 10km run from the camp to the airport and back. I think I will be starting to run that every day of two... Most here are saying that they have lost over 10 kg's. One guy lost 22kgs in weight.

The weather is nicer. It's a little cooler especially at night. Internet in the office is extremely slow. The wireless system I bought is also very slow.

The army SPLA walks past our camp every day as they move from the town to their training camp. Some have bicycles. It's awkward watching a guy in a uniform with flip flops riding a bike with an AK-47 strapped to his back.

We have a pet chicken on camp...Hmmmm so far... LOL Here little chicken...

There are a great deal more bugs and birds then the other location that I have been too.

The work pace has increased here as they are assisting with the preparation for the election in Apr 2010. This will be one of the main focuses in the next 6 months.

Today and tomorrow I am being briefed on each of the camp positions and the various jobs within the UNMO's.