So I have a ticket on Air Uganda to fly into Juba, Sudan. I get dropped off at the airport and go through a rigorous check in process. In Uganda, you have to go through security at the front door of the airport. Then to have my passport and visa checked. Of course my nice new visa I got yesterday in Kampala had an error on it. Apparently I was born in 1918! We got that issue cleared up that I wasn’t 93. Then off to get my boarding card and check my luggage. After a further immigration check I was admitted to the departure area. My first impression of this airport on arrival was poor, but the departure area was very nice with duty free shops, electronic stores and a restraint. Can you believe I ate a full meal at an international airport for $2.00 USD and it was tasty!
The flight was called for pre-boarding, and yet another security check, check on ID and I’m aloud to fly! I climb on board a beautifully painted MD80 that is close to my age but looks like brand new and I’m off to Sudan.
On arrival into Sudan, I was slapped in the face by the heat!!! Wow its hot here compared to Uganda. The first thing I noticed was a old mig fighter that had ran off the runway years ago rotting away to the elements. The airport is a bee hive of activity due to construction. A new terminal building is going up at much quicker than African standards (because a Taiwanese company is building it), runway lighting is being put in, taxiways are being paved, and the runway is being lengthened by 2200 ft.
The old terminal building is a gong show!!! Into get my passport stamped, not one but twice. Then to luggage claim 10 feet away. The whole terminal is 50x70ft of which the passengers of 1 MD-80, 3 B737’s were all crowded into trying to get the same tasks done. People here push, and shove and I had to do the same! My passport was stamped quickly by reaching over 3 rows of people and tossing it on the lap of the immigration officer. Baggage claim has just received a new toy, a x-ray machine! The military scans everything entering the country now and since they don’t know how to use the machine, they search your bag right after! More pushing and shoving I got the job completed rather painlessly.
This evening I went with the crew to a expat camp on the White Nile. Wow what a great place to eat! I couldn’t have got a better pizza in Chicago! We sat on the river bank, watched young kids swimming and playing in the water and watched the sun set. I can say I feel like I’m starting to get use to Africa. I’m sure there will be many incidents that will surprise me in the future and I'm not letting my guard down, but the last day hans’t been so bad, and in fact its been fun!
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