I am writing this entry, sat in the waiting area of Gate 51 of Gatwick North Terminal. The possibility of me sitting here waiting to be ushered on to the plane seemed unfathomable eight months ago. This entry will describe the preparations I have been making, and the prospects ahead, but first I just wanted to say that all the preparation in the World could not have prepared me for the sadness I feel saying goodbye to my friends and family. I also feel pride in being given the opportunity to join our brothers and sisters in Southern Sudan and get to know them.
Preparation – I have never been so unproductive, while having so little to do! Procrastination has been my middle name over the past month. It took me two weeks to book my yellow fever vaccination and almost a month to rendezvous with my best pal!
Generally, visas and vaccinations take the longest to arrange. The Hepatitis A&B jabs require three doses, the third being 28 days after the first. Regarding the visas, South Sudan has a relatively relaxed border policy, and travel permits can be acquired quickly. All of the vaccines are administered as dormant strains. As a result symptoms are rare; however, yellow fever is administered as a live virus, and leaves you with a fever, headache and aches all over. It has been almost a week since I received the jab, and my brain still feels like it is doing back flips in my skull!
Packing was the fun part. I packed and re-packed enough times to warrant re-washing of my clothes. The items taking up most of the room were surprisingly books and gadgets. This changed after I was advised at the HQ briefing (Switz) to bring homely comforts over work items. Good advice! Out with the text book, in with my new 192 DVD case!
So my luggage weighed in at 31.5kg, which was 1.5kg more then I was allowed – fortunately for me, the check in officer was kind and labelled it 29.9kg. My final words are regarding the in-flight movies:
Good movies = No sleep = Jet lag = Hungry stomach = Headache
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