Even the Strange isn't so Strange After a While!

It is amazing how acclimatized to abnormal situations a human can become.  I have been in Africa for 6 days now.  As everyday passes, I feel like this way of life is more and more normal.  A few days ago, I would walk out the front door and feel like I was in a totally foreign land.  That feeling has dissipated and I have noticed I am less surprised and shocked by things I see and experience. 

For example cattle grazing freely around an international airport.  They walked across the ramp and were heading toward the runway the last I saw them.  No body seemed worried even though large aircraft are constantly landing and taking off.  How did they get into a secure international airport?  Well the 8 foot fence with razor wire on top to keep bad people and animals off the field has numerous holes cut in it. The locals cut the holes to allow for quicker transit from one side of the field to the other rather than walking a couple miles around the field.  

Another example, the ability of locals to be able to cut in line and act like nothing is wrong with it.  While in the bank today, I witnessed some of the smoothest line cutters I have ever encountered.  It at least it speeds up the hour long wait in line planning how to put the block on these pesky people!

The Government Of South Sudan (GOSS) is trying to clean up Juba.  One of their campaigns is to put out garbage/recycling stations up along the main streets of town.  It is comical to see a garbage, paper, glass, plastic can on the sidewalk with mounds of garbage everywhere and not a thing in the bags.  

It rained last night.  A rain in Canada, typically cleans the streets and sidewalks up.  In Juba, it means everything gets nasty muddy!!!  It also makes many of the dirt streets smell like a garbage dump due to the sewage in the potholes and rotting food in the ditches.

Early this morning, I awoke to scratching on my window.  I am on the second floor and thought it might be a bird, but when I opened the curtains I scared the crap out of myself.  There staring back at me was a monkey standing on the air conditioner unit.  I leaped for my camera, but was to slow to catch the moment!