Day Twenty Six - Eve of Independence

A new country is born tomorrow. Incredible. I am quite amazed that I am living in the country the day it becomes independent. Certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity, and long time coming for the people of South Sudan.

After a late start to the day, Akshaya and I made our way to Nimule and worked on the report. At 2:30 we had to leave and go to Natalie’s because the UN put their people on a lockdown so that meant we had to get closer to home. The lockdown did not mean that there was imminent danger. It just meant that due to all of the foreign dignitaries flying in from everywhere meant that security was high and being out on the streets was probably not the best idea. A lot of people made themselves scarce during yesterday and today because of how intense security on the streets was. We actually started a game of how many seconds are there between soldiers. I think the average was around 8 seconds. SO MANY MEN IN UNIFORM. So to say the least our work for the day was finished. It is quite hard to concentrate and be motivated to do work when you are living in a place that in under 24 hours is to become the newest nation in the world.

We started the evening out at Arkel. There was a poker tournament going on and it is within walking distance of Transmillenium so one of our only options at that point. I of course did not join the game, only spectated. I didn’t feel like losing money because I certaining would have lost. After a few hours of hanging out there we got tired of poker (kinda boring) so we made our way to a club with some friends because Arkel was not the place we wanted to spend the night before independence and we were given permission to go out on the town and join the celebrations! De Havana was jam packed with people, spirits sky-high. I do not know if I have seen people any happier than the people that were at De Havana. It was amazing. The streets were alive with people celebrating the eve on independence. It was difficult to drive in certain places because the streets were so full of people. It was an excellent night full of joy and celebration, which I will never forget and never experience anything like it again I am sure.