Update from Russ Thomas in Mogadishu

It’s 11:54PM here, but (because of the 11 hours time-difference) you’ll be getting this at 1:00PM in the afternoon. (I’m still having difficulty with that.)

Because it’s late, and because I’m pretty tired, tonight, I’ll be brief:

·       My friend Chris Sears and I left Sacramento on Tuesday, January 11^th.

·       Bad weather in Atlanta caused flight cancellations, so we had to stop in Minneapolis – Delta paid for our hotel.

·       On Wednesday afternoon, we flew to Amsterdam, arriving on Thursday morning.

·       After a 3 hour layover, we boarded a KLM flight (thankfully in Business Class) for the 8hr+ flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

·       On Friday morning we flew from Nairobi to Mogadishu.  Except for the Business Class leg, it was a very grueling trip.

·       Here in Mogadishu, we’re staying in a Residential Compound that is run by an interesting company, named Bancroft.

·       My company pays for three meals a day, laundry service, and a comfortable room; well, as comfortable as you can be in a converted 20’ shipping container.

·       I occupy ½ of the container.  There are about 50 inhabitants.  Some are long standing, some (like journalists) stay only a couple of days.  Interesting folks.

·       There is also a company store where one can by snacks, beer, and if inclined....demon rum & such.

·       Chris and I have been busy, trying to get organized to build our own base camp, a spot where we can store our equipment and supplies, which are in transit.

·       Except for one day, when Chris and I went a short distance into town (with an armed militia security team), we have been “confined” to the secure area of the International Airport.  As you may know, the security forces are from UGANDA and BURUNDI – all funded by the United Nations.

·       Although I feel confident that there will not be an all-out attack on the Airport, there is a state of heightened awareness, looking for individuals who have no business entering the security zone.  Keep in mind that there are 8,000 soldiers here now, with an additional 4,000 coming soon.

·       It is very windy and dusty, but not excessively hot.

·       The oddest thing I’ve noticed is that at noon, the sun is almost directly over your head, so your shadow is strangely short.
I miss my wife, my home, and my friends.

Russ

Due to technical difficulites dealing with email to and from Mogadishi Russ was not able to send pictures as of yet, but they will be coming soon.

Russ will continue to update Copperopolis with his news, if you note on the right side bar beneath Welcome to the Country there is page titled Russ Thomas Updates his letters and updates will be stored there, please check back for more letters from Russ.
By, Charity Maness