existentia

I did arrive quite safely in Luanda and I have been meaning to post a few updates. However, things have all been rather mad since I arrived. There has certainly hasn’t been any dull moments in the last few days and I’m starting to appreciate what is, to me anyway, a completely different world than I’ve been accustomed to.

I’ll post more in the coming weeks (I am going to be here for three weeks after all) but in the meantime more work, dining and parties are calling! I hope I survive all this…

The view from the window of my room at the Hotel Tropico in Luanda.

I’ll be flying to Luanda, Angola in little over a few hours from now. Wish me luck!

Stay tuned for stories from West Africa.

It is now looking increasingly likely (although still not 100% confirmed yet) that in the next few weeks I will be departing for Luanda, Angola in order to work full-time on a three weeks on / three weeks off basis. I’m looking forward to the challenge, but I’m not underestimating what I’m getting myself into and one of the reasons I started a new blog here on Vox is in order to keep people updated on how I’m getting on. I know a few people out there will be concerned about my well being while I’m out there and so I hope I’ll be able to ease some of this concern through what I post on here. Or maybe not depending on how things go!

Although the trip has yet to be confirmed, preparations have already begun. I’ve already received the necessary vaccinations (all three injections!) and now just need to order the dreaded anti-malarial drugs. This is my first cause for concern as I’ve read (and indeed been told by my clinic) of some of the lovely side-effects these drugs can cause. Some of these side-effects are difficulty sleeping, anxiety, vivid dreams, seizures, depression, and psychosis. Great. I’ve got three “brands” of anti-malarial drugs to choose from so I’m going to have to choose wisely!