European Championship Fairytale or what a games

We were very lucky to see the games of Euro2008. Especially see Holland playing their best games in years. Fast, flowing and passing soccer and than being outsmarted by a former national coach. Too bad but am glad Spain won as they have won all their games and played very good all the way thru to the finals. In meantime we had some excitement with 2 power cables brake down in front of the house. Was the same as you see in the movies. Lighting all over the place forcing an alarmed staff to call me during the holland russia match and tell the base is in fire. anyway we lost so did not mind not seeing it to th end. The next day put a new fuse in the voltage regulator in the kitchen which after 3 minutes burst into flames. Panic as you learn water and electricity do not mix but what did i use to put it out; WATER. Luckily nothing happened I could have been fried. So next day decision was made to renew the circuit board. We also thought it was time to organize a barbecue at the base. Fun to see how you can roast a chopped lamb on a oil drum barbecue. The weather would allow us to do it every day but lack of appropiate beverages stops us from doing it. In meantime we were busy in changing the entrance at the hospital including a new consultation room. Finishing a week ago will allow for not only a better flow of pregnant women from consultation, labour ward to delivery room but also to prevent the high number of co-patients to come with the pregnant woman. Sometimes over 20 and they really clog up the waiting area inside the hospital. Understand they want to be there but puts pressure on the staff and the woman in labour. We also painted a MSF logo at the Uongwab outreach post and must say we are rather proud of the work we did. Looks nice in bright red colors.26th was payday and as usual we all - well most of us - went to the ice cream dream for a well deserved desert including our Flying WatSan Ylva from Sweden who after staying with us and review the hygiena at the hospital joined us for a trip to Suwakian the old port of Sudan. No buildings only stones but was nice to be out of town for a day. A change of view and atmosphere.

We also said farewell to the dutch/columbian couple david and pillar and kids who will go back to Groningen - of all places. Fun couple with adorable kids.

What else to say is that tomorrow i will take a 12 hours bus drive - as even here airport staff go on strike - to KM to enjoy a well deserved RNR.

Signed : Le Bulldozer