Hup Holland Hup

The World Cup is winding down. The final starts in less than 4 hours. I’ve now got to figure out something else to give time and attention to and take interest in. There are not so many things that stand out as obvious choices in a place like Somaliland. However, a recent discovery has proved to add a little bit to the repetitive routine here. The shop nearby where we go and pick up sodas and such received a new delivery that consisted of many new items. Imagine my delight to walk in and find Nutella, Heinz ketchup, Kelloggs Coco Pops, Twix, Snickers, and Kit Kats. I thought it was Christmas until I remembered they don’t celebrate that here, and then I realized it is July. And even though it isn’t Christmas, I decided to celebrate anyway and bought one or more of almost all the new toys on the shelves.

Coming back to the important stuff, though, is the fact that tonight is the World Cup Championship Game. Spain and Holland will compete to win the most watched sporting event in the world. If the game is anything like last night’s Runner’s up match between Germany and Uruguay, it will live up to the hype. I didn’t really expect it after Germany took the 1-0 lead in the middle of the first half, but after Uruguay managed to tie it, they came out after the break and even took the lead 2-1. After tying the score at 2-all, a goal in the final ten minutes looked like it was going to be enough for Germany to eke out a win. But, just at the end of the game, a free kick by Uruguay almost gave them the storybook ending they were looking for to cap off their unexpected run to the semifinals. The crossbar had other ideas, and the shot deflected off it and away from any Uruguayans who would’ve liked to knock it back into the goal to send the game to Extra Time. Uruguay also played in the second most exciting match of the Cup that I saw when they defeated Ghana on penalties after a deliberate handball kept Ghana from an outright win at the end of Extra Time. The 4-1 German defeat of England that included a goal taken away by the referees and the U.S. win over Algeria to win their group were probably the next two most exciting games. I just hope the final isn’t a boring let-down after the excitement that has been building over the last month.

One other thing about this final that makes it interesting regardless of the outcome, is that I’ll be watching with a Dutch. The Deputy Country Director who’s here in the field now is from the Netherlands, so will be watching with great anticipation as his team vies against Spain to be World Cup Champions for the first time ever. Of course he’d rather be in Amsterdam watching amongst millions of other rowdy Dutchies. Or he’d prefer to be with those 15 or so women who were arrested for trying to take away from Budweiser’s thunder as ‘official beer of the World Cup’ by wearing some small oranje (that’s not normal orange, but Dutch oranje) dresses to the Netherlands first game against Denmark with some other beer company’s name on the label. But, alas, he’s left having to watch the biggest football match of the last 4 years, and biggest of his life with someone who calls the game soccer, and others from a country whose team has never even qualified for a World Cup (Kenya and Somaliland). Oh well, we’ll have a good time. And, if they win, we’ll celebrate with one of the other new goodies that arrived in the latest shipment at the nearby shop. Non-alcoholic grape drink that’s got a foil wrapping over the cap and is made to look like champagne. Yep, that and some non-alcoholic malt beverages are the closest thing we can get around here to what 95% of other Dutch are going to be drinking while watching the game and celebrating with after. It’s ok, though, because everyone knows Heineken is not good anyway.

1000 Words

Unfortunately, I'm notorious for being awful at taking photographs. I think that's mostly because every camera I've ever owned I have either broken/lost/had stolen. I may actually be an expert photographer with an innate gift for capturing life's precious moments, but just been missing out on the opportunity to do so.

Thankfully, however, I often have people surrounding me who take photos and generously share them with me. I'd have no pictures from University, my first trips to Africa, road trips, or pretty much any other experiences in my life were it not for great friends who so graciously provide me with snapshots. One such visitor to Burao in April/May is responsible for the pictures you're about to see. I won't add much to the photo other than just a caption, and will let you appreciate what photos can say on their own.

More pics to come soon!

Kids the world over love climbing trees

Much more beautiful scenery than I'd expected!

How I Roll...

Tour Guide: (Bring your own Translator)

Who'd have thought there was a tourism site in Somaliland?!?!

Some Old Rock Paintings, really cool!!

Happy Independence Day!!

Tons of food to give away

Election Day

Well, today is a big day. Today is the day that Somalilanders vote for president for the first time since 2003. This part of what the world knows as Somalia has its own currency, government, and has been much more stable than the rest of Somalia.

In the last election, the difference in votes between the winner and second place was less than 100. And yet the winner assumed power peacefully. This time, it very well could be close again, and hopefully the outcome will again be peaceful. The run up to the elections were incredibly peaceful with all 3 political parties holding rallies without fighting amongst one another and minimal conflict and accusations. With just over 1 million registered voters, it is not a vastly populated area, but with that number of people over 68,000 square miles (the size of England and Wales), many of which are nomadic or semi-nomadic, and infrastructure which has lots of room for improvement, it has been impressive to see the voter registration process and elections prepared.

Today Somaliland could set an example of democracy for the region and even the world. It will no doubt be an interesting day which could be a great step towards the continual development and growth of Somaliland. Read more in the links attached.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/world/africa/26somaliland.html?src=me
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/east/Somaliland-Poised-for-Much-Delayed-Presidential-Election-Saturday-97163764.html

Should I Drink From It?

Ok, so I'm overdue for a post. And, I'm long overdue for a good post that is worth reading. So, this will at least fit the post category, and maybe at least one of the 3 people who still check my blog will enjoy it.

Since June 11, I've been watching a lot more television. We began a subscription to a South African satellite television provider called DSTV not exlusively because of, but in large part in expectation of getting to watch the World Cup. All 64 games will be broadcast on it. And, for once, I'm in a time zone that allows for premium live world cup watching. The only games I miss during work are the early game slot that ended Monday. 5pm and 9:30pm are the only times that games are on from here on out, and I look forward to watching more.

As the games began, we had 3 countries out of 4 represented (sorry Kenyans, your team just isn't so good at football). The US drew, Nigeria lost, and the Netherlands won. Today I was able to watch from a guest house in the capital of Somaliland as I'm here for just the night. The US very nearly disappointed, but managed to pull through with the victory. I was the only one shouting at the TV during US-Algeria as the German and Kenyan I was watching with both sat by much more passively. When the US finally scored in extra time, the other person in the house, a Swiss lady, came by wondering if the sounds coming out of the room were those of joy or those of pain, and thankfully Landon Donovan made it joyful.

I thought I might be fulfilling the loud American stereotype until the Germany game came on as the late game. A friend of the German joined us for this game, and the two of them were also yelling and screaming at the players and the ref inside the box we were watching. It's even better than the olympics, as the same sport is played for a month consecutively and each person is much more animated in support of his/her nation. All across the world, for this one month, there are curses and blessings shouted at televisions in dozens of languages over the same games. Watching in an international setting just makes it even that much more exciting and enjoyable.

So, on July 11, I know where I'll be and what I'll be doing. 4 years ago, the final match went to a shootout. About 10 minutes before overtime ended, the power went out where I was, and it didn't come back on again until after the shootout was done and Italy had won. This year, I've learned my lesson and will be bringing an APC battery backup home from the office so that even if the electric gets cut, the battery will keep the power on the television active for at least 15 or 20 extra minutes. But I hope it isn't needed. Hope you're also enjoying the games and fitting them into your schedules as well. After all, it does only happen once every four years.