::::I've Left Copenhagen for Uganda::::

Life in colors

I am 36 today! Thanks a lot for all the birthday greetings from everywhere! I really appriciate it. For the ones asking how I am - I can say without any doubt - that I am good. Healthy and happy. I am in Africa. And my life in general just seems to work out at the moment.

(I fear saying it, though, for being hit by another evil malaria parasite army).

But I do believe happiness arrives in bubbles. Not out of luck. A lot of hard work. Life is what you make it yourself. Deeds you did (or didn't do) for others who needed it, return.  I am a strong believer of the karma thing: - Give a lift to a back-packer or three Northern Ugandan women carrying heavy bags for the market, lend out your house to a lost visitor, or visit a friend in the hospital and someone else will do something good to you. It also helps to be surrounded by real cool and interesting people, who are real good at keeping contacts though some of them are far away.

Well, it also worked for me to get a job in Africa (I think the 27th might be against that advice, but he confessed to me last evening that apparently Danish people make an exception among the irritating ex-pats in Africa!). It will definitely add nuances to your color sceme which you never saw before.

If you can do the party you can also overcome the day after...

Another rule applying to this kind of world is that if you can do the party you can also overcome the day after - including any kind of hangover, pack your stuff, deal with the world's most annoying and inconsequent border patrol, drive on to the next destination, and get ready for work.

Sunday I drove us out of Kajo Keji into Moyo on the Ugandan side and then half way to Yumbe, then my colleague Peter took over to Koboko. Then we both drove from Koboko and then back into Southern Sudan reaching Yei just before dusk.

Today I had to facilitate a workshop which I actually thought was sceduled for tomorrow with the same group I found myself with this morning, having completely lost track of dates matching with what days. However, I think I sort of got away with it. At least, my colleague Peter expressed a thank for good facilitation at the end of it. Thinking twice he might as well have referred ironically to the my personal rule above. I might have to ask. I am not 25 any longer.