Juba, Sudan - Friday 16 February 2007 - What is Juba like?

Trying to describe Juba is definitely not an easy task. Its a giant village, not a town yet. There is one main lane of tar road stretching through the entire village, the rest is gravel, very dusty, reddish and consist of annoying gravel. Being a Land Rover Defender owner, makes it even more annoying, as all those who have driven onboard Betsy knows, she is not totally water and dustproof.

Juba could hardly be described as an African village because the enormous influence of international aid workers, UN military and business opportunists. Due to that, Juba is among the most expensive places on the African continent. Accommodation in particular, but also prices in restaurants, shops and services are at horrific levels. Business men from overseas and neighboring countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda exploits the rumble and tumble of this Klondike region.

UN and NGO's do not have much choice other than pay the "market price" which means you can hardly get a tent with access to shower for less than 130 US Dollars. If you want some luxury, you can rent a "tin can" container for 250 US Dollars. A meal is less expensive in down town Oslo and services such as repairs and handymen has to keep the price level up.

Cape2Cape managed to avoid expensive camping as we were "rescued" by Norwegian Peoples Aid. Not that we misinterpreted the meaning of the organisation name, but it could very well have been so for us. We are very happy that we met Lars and Linda at NPA, thanks a lot for all support.