Going Nowhere

This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on.
- Sloop John B, The Beach Boys


As my time goes on over here I'm coming to the realization that this is becoming one of the most boring travel blogs ever written.

Since my disastrous experience in the east I've had little of note happen here. I've wandered passed the Hargeisa city limits to camp a couple nights out in the desert but besides that have been holed up in the city center, trying in vain to get permission to visit the countryside. My problem lies with the Intelligence Chief, a guy who put what appears to be a permanent hold on my travel. I've gotten unofficial word over the last three weeks that he is willing to lift it and walk me through any other security hurdles I'm looking at, but any attempts to actually meet with him to do so have met with failure.

In fact, this "failure" thing looks to be turning into a habit. I'll have meetings set, promises made, and permission granted for what I want to do only for everything to fall through at the last minute. I've made so many plans and seen them fall apart so often that I'm starting to feel like Charlie Brown to Somaliland's Lucy. And really, there are only so many more times I can take a swing at that football before I call it a day.

I've been considering that recently, given the obstacles I'm looking at. Threats against me mean that I can't go east, red tape means I can't go west, and even if I was allowed to leave Hargeisa it would take a minimum of a week and a half to gear up and set out for what would be a three week trek to try to find a suitable project site. As of right now, it doesn't look like I'll have the time barring a miracle.

Yes, it's safe to say that the last couple months here are certainly doing well to cure my Africa Bug. If it looks as though things continue this way I may be seeing my friends and family back home sooner than I thought. I've accomplished absolutely zilch in my time in Somaliland and after two months my patience is wearing mighty thin. Right now the thought of spending a few quiet nights wandering the BWCA or on the Rum River in Minnesota sounds quite a bit more appealing than another dusty week here with nothing to show for it.

Granted, I’m in a pretty foul mood right now so I’m sure I sound more bitter than I would normally be, but I’ve had quite a few expectations for Somaliland which have sizzled. I’m fed up with the flies, the noise, and the food, not to mention the constant frustration of knowing that I'm going nowhere. I don't want to come home early having succeeded in nothing I originally set out for but in the end that's what I just might do.

On the other hand, you guys just got a snowstorm so you're not exactly sitting pretty either. Anyone heard how South America is doing right about now?