Sunday, Aug 23, 2009
We are fine. Compared to the average poor nomadic Djiboutian. We are so lucky. Here is a picture of their stands which dot the road everywhere. It is also probably where they sleep also. We are just trying to settle in and get some work done. On Thurs eve we shopped in Djibouti for several small household items we needed at the compound. We had only a bed, 4 dining room chairs, 2 small desks and an amoire. No place to sit or read, etc. We ended up bringing home 2 somewhat soft chairs and a lamp/table from our room at the Villa (our office with rooms above for sleeping). We have 1 day off, Friday, which is the Muslim holy day. We come into Djibouti, generally Thursday afternoon and stay until 6 am on Saturday at the Villa. Someday we will have to order some furniture that comes from Dubai and takes about a month to get here.
We are fine. Compared to the average poor nomadic Djiboutian. We are so lucky. Here is a picture of their stands which dot the road everywhere. It is also probably where they sleep also. We are just trying to settle in and get some work done. On Thurs eve we shopped in Djibouti for several small household items we needed at the compound. We had only a bed, 4 dining room chairs, 2 small desks and an amoire. No place to sit or read, etc. We ended up bringing home 2 somewhat soft chairs and a lamp/table from our room at the Villa (our office with rooms above for sleeping). We have 1 day off, Friday, which is the Muslim holy day. We come into Djibouti, generally Thursday afternoon and stay until 6 am on Saturday at the Villa. Someday we will have to order some furniture that comes from Dubai and takes about a month to get here.
Everything takes some much time here and it has to be done 3-4 times over. Like, our front door latch and lock at the compound never has worked. So, after 5 days they finally changed it and that one is faulty and must be done again. Most hardware and tools here are made in China of very, very inferior materials. We have already gone thru two water coolers. We have a small home office here at our little 675 sq. foot house and expect a filing cabinet to be brought in today. We will also establish our main offices up at the Administration Building in the future.
It is now Ramadan and the Muslim workers (the majority) only eat/drink(even water) 3x during the day at 6:30 pm, 8 pm and between 2-4 am every day. Needless to say they are tired and don't get much done during the day. This goes on for 1 month. In this hot weather (110 or so) it does not make much since, especially for the workers outside. I feel really sorry for the cooks (they are Muslim) who have to cook 6 separate meals a day and not taste or eat themselves. The non-Muslims eat at 6 am, 12 noon and 7 pm. Then they have to cook all 3 of the Muslim meals and serve them also. Crazy. The Muslims love Ramadan!!!
We find it interesting and the people fascinating. They have a good sense of humor and it is very safe to be here. It is rather an oasis in Africa. There really is no unrest or hostilities here. The early mornings and evenings are lovely (still very warm). This morning we had a rosy sunrise. While we were gone to Djibouti City it really rained at Lac Assal. When we returned home there were puddles of water everywhere. Strange.
It is now Ramadan and the Muslim workers (the majority) only eat/drink(even water) 3x during the day at 6:30 pm, 8 pm and between 2-4 am every day. Needless to say they are tired and don't get much done during the day. This goes on for 1 month. In this hot weather (110 or so) it does not make much since, especially for the workers outside. I feel really sorry for the cooks (they are Muslim) who have to cook 6 separate meals a day and not taste or eat themselves. The non-Muslims eat at 6 am, 12 noon and 7 pm. Then they have to cook all 3 of the Muslim meals and serve them also. Crazy. The Muslims love Ramadan!!!
We find it interesting and the people fascinating. They have a good sense of humor and it is very safe to be here. It is rather an oasis in Africa. There really is no unrest or hostilities here. The early mornings and evenings are lovely (still very warm). This morning we had a rosy sunrise. While we were gone to Djibouti City it really rained at Lac Assal. When we returned home there were puddles of water everywhere. Strange.
No comments:
Post a Comment