First Impressions of Djibouti

So here I am in Djibouti, Africa.  I probably should have started these posts 3 weeks ago when I first got here while things were still fresh in my mind, but I think it was all a little overwhelming.  Well now that I’ve been here for a few weeks, I think I’m settled in and can write about my adventure so far.

So my first impression of Djibouti was that it was hot, dirty, stinky, and dusty.  I didn’t actually get to leave the Camp for the first week and a half, so no real stories to tell there.  I spent my time at the movie theater and inside my CLU (Containerized Living Unit) to stay cool.  I went for my first run three days after I arrived.  It was a little shock to the system to be running in such heat, but I have since built back up to a 3 mile run that I normally start at 5:00a.m. when it’s only 87-92 degrees outside.  My goal while I’m here is to run 200 miles to get the free t-shirt.  14.8 miles down, 185.2 miles to go.  I’m not going to lie, it’s a real struggle every morning that I’m planning on running to not hit snooze and go back to sleep, but instead get up and go outside and sweat like crazy for 3 miles.

The first time I went off base was for a going away dinner for one of the people re-deploying.  We went to the Djibouti Bowling Alley!  I was excited to maybe get a game or two in, but unfortunately we never bowled.  Another large group from the Camp had also come for a going away party. They got in ahead of us and were seated first. It took 3 1/2 hours to get seated, have our orders taken, and the food brought out.  It was a long evening and the food was ok.  Maybe I’ll make it back again to actually bowl!

The next opportunity I had to leave Camp was to head to Menelik Square in Djibouti City to drop off some rungu sticks that were going to be engraved as going away gifts for those re-deploying.  We ate at a restaurant called La Fontaine and the food was excellent!  We had a dish that had finally chopped bread (similar to pita bread) along with egg, cabbage, onion, banana, some sort of sauce, french fries, and either chicken or beef.  Both were delicious and surprisingly filling.  The meal was made on a grill outside where we could watch and talk with the cook.  The cook was offering us some free French lessons.  I also had a bottle of Coke with my meal that I wasn’t able to finish and took with me. As we walked down the street I had several children ask me for my Coke.  I felt so bad, but I told them no.  I should have said yes, as I never ended up finishing my drink anyway.  After dinner, it was on to do a little shopping where I bought two wood carved vases.

This past Sunday was my first trip off Camp during day light hours. As we drove through the city I noticed a lot of garbage and run-down looking buildings.  As we got more to the outskirts of town, I started seeing shanty towns and even more garbage.  Once we got out of town I saw a lot of rock.  I was really surprised at how rocky the landscape was.  There was a lot of volcanic activity here which probably explains the rocks.  We drove for about an hour and half to get to our destination to
include driving through a part of the Grand Bara desert.  I think this is the first desert I’ve been too, that actually looked like a desert that we’re taught.  Nothing but sand for miles.  Our destination was the second largest city in Djibouti, Al Sabieh, where there are some old Italian bunkers from WWII. As we approached the gate for the city our bus driver was told we had to check in at the police station. (They have a gate to the city to prevent refugees from coming in.)  We drove to the
police station where a group of people and kids soon found us as the main attraction.  I felt like the animal at the zoo, as all the children were looking at us through the bus windows.  Most were friendly and waved, but some provided us other gestures of “welcome”.  Once we were cleared we went to another government building, where I think the children just followed our bus.  With final approval we headed back to the bunkers and started our hiking.

We got to the first bunker and climbed in over a pile of plastic bags.  I have no idea where all of these bags come from.  We went right to a dead end, then we went left to another dead end.  After that, I felt more comfortable just hiking the big hills and getting a good view of the city. Unfortunately it was a really hazy day, so visibility wasn’t perfect.  Several members of the group explored the bunkers and tunnels and reported back their experience with bats, guano, and spiders.  Yeah, no thanks. I enjoyed my time in the fresh air.  At one of the bunkers I could see the bats flying by the entrance.  I thought this would be a good video moment.  Wouldn’t you know, one flew right out and towards me as I was filming?  Of course I screamed and laughed at the same time.  After a couple of hours we all had our fill and were ready for lunch.

We headed to a local restaurant where I had a beef kebab. It was very tasty, although I was surprised when I bit into what I thought was a regular green pepper, to find out that it was a jalapeno or something hotter than a regular green pepper.  I was told by others with the same meal that they weren’t hot, but I beg to differ.  I gladly gave them away. The meat was chewey but tasty and I’m happy to report that I didn’t get sick from the meal (always a concern when eating food outside of Camp).

We wanted to go shopping at the town market, but it was only 2:45 and the markets don’t open back up until around 4:00.  Lucky for us, the place where we ate also had a house where American military members stay that we were able to hang out in to relax and watch a little tv.  At 4:00 we got directions to the market and made our way.  Well . . .we thought we had directions to the market. Needless to say, other than khat stands (khat is a legal drug in Djibouti that is chewed, but has similar effects of cocaine) and garments, we didn’t really see a market.  We gave up and headed home.

This next’s week adventure takes me to an Ethiopian Dinner Dance show on Friday, and on Sunday we’re hoping for a trip to Lake Assal (the saltiest in the world) and Green Tire beach.  (The name of the beach received it’s name by the green tire landmark where you turn to get there.)