I'm in Dadaab, all is well. I do not have the internet connected to my own computer yet, so it will be difficult for me to get in contact for the next few days. Things are really strange right now, there is a interest and having me work here in more legitimate manner for the Norwegian Refugee Council, I would then be overseeing shelter construction issues (they appear to be having difficulty with mud blocks) or, more likely, I will be doing mapping work in the camp - as they have no one else do it. I'm not really sure what is going on, it would be good to have my stay here sponsored and to have some legitamate work experience with the NRC, however I also want to just stay focused, do my project and leave. I'm afraid if I get consumed by working it will be difficult to do my project. So what to do? Valid work experience or dynamic research? It can be difficult to be both a professional and an academic...
I can't write too much - I will be leaving any minute to go out to the field and get introduced to the camps (the administrative camp is 20k away from the refugee camps). But I can tell you this:
A flock of birds numbering in the 1000's is quite intimidating.
This place is nothing but sand and scrub brush.
The ride here was the most insane thing I have ever done in my life, and if anyone can describe a crazier road trip, I will offer my life in servitude. All I can say is that an armed military escort within an UN convoy through 100km of exotic barren waste land in varying formation along a route that is more of a path than a road is well...undescribable. Dramamine would have been nice, but I did okay anyway.
The camels have one hump.
Plastic bags are destroying the planet - perhaps I can send a photo later, it will make your eyes water.
The deer are the size of rabbits, the housecats have spots like cheetahs, the donkeys look depressed, the goats look...well they just look like goats.
The Africant night sky is ominous, deep, and consuming. With no light other than village campfires for about 300 miles, the stars are vast and overwhelming. Walking to my room at about 9pm, I looked upward and felt as if I was being swallowed by the cosmos. When looking at the stars, you can feel the earth move.
Aside from the poeticism, conditions are harsh, the heat asphixiating, and I will be blowing dust out of my sinuses for months to come. Everything is veiled with dust, water is a scarce commodity, the clounds seem to sit flat on the sky, reflecting the dry, dead plains of the Somali desert.
All and all, I miss my home, but I am glad to be here. I've never felt so confident.
2 Comments:
Mitch, I enjoy reading your posts. Be careful about trying to do too much at once while you're there. Prioritize your project vs. professional work experience and stick with your decision. Its really hard to do both.
Laters,
Andy
Hello Mitchell,
Laying awake at night, I wonder how you are and
what you may be doing at that particular hour.
Have faith in what your research answer is. Accept your expanded awareness, all that you see and experience is lending strength to your question. I Love you. Always, Mom
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