If I look back through my project experience history and pay special attention to the living quarters, I notice a very special trend starting…
1. Vodafone, UK
A suite in the Hilton Hotel in Newbury, UK
2. Miskar, Tunisia
A large room with ensuite in a 2 bedroom house with lounge, dining room and kitchen
3. Baghdad/Daura/Basrah, Iraq
Decent sized single unit living trailers fully fitted with fridge, A/C, double bed and ensuite
4. Reps, Albania
Smaller, much cheaper, single unit apartment style units fitted with fridge, A/c, single bed and ensuite
5. Soyo, Angola
I never thought I would be expected to live in a place that made Albania look like luxury condo accommodation. You will see in the photos something that looks like a room, only smaller. Yes these 2 photos are of the same room from opposite sides. Yes that’s the same single bed in both photos. Yes that’s shared toilet/shower. What’s next? A tent outside? Remind me again why I am leaving? I swear moments like these are great. It removes all notions of tears when I think about my leaving date which is now encroaching nicely.
I’m only kidding. I really am actually not upset about it. Disappointed is probably the best way of describing it. The way things are going here though it really doesn’t surprise me. It should have been expected.
I am instead grateful for the fact that I have a roof over my head when I lie down at night to sleep. The fact that it’s clean is a bonus and pretty easy to keep clean since there isn’t much space to mess up. The fact that I don’t have to go outside into the bushes to relieve myself is a luxury in these parts. And the best of all, the fact that I don’t have to walk miles for water and instead have hot and cold running for a clean shower and basin facilities merely meters from me should be the deal closure. That and the fact that I don’t have to clean it and my laundry gets done for me.
Screw it, I’m staying!
BUg you asked me about two weeks ago after a very very exhausting day in the Angolan Embassy:
“do you think someone up there is trying to tell me something?”
and i said
“YA THINK!!!”
well i would like to now refer to exhibit A (above ^) “it looks like a room, only smaller” to once again illustrate my point!
BWAHAHAHAHAH !!!!
Those are smaller than the doghouses in the back of our camp in Basrah! Unbelievable! Where’s your desk? On top of the TV?!?!?
How many circus clowns do you think would fit in there?
What’s really bizarre is that they went ahead and outfitted the room with that stylin’ bed headboard! Maybe that’s there to muffle the sounds of your neighbor having midnight digestion issues in the bathroom.
Looking forward to your review of the scoff…
Geez, smaller than Reps, I didn’t think it possible.
Have to wonder if they took the minimum floor space into account when they designed it? I doubt it by looking at your pics.
One good thing as you said mate.
Short time not a long time
KT - The words of that wonderful cabbie in Houston comes to mind, “from time to time in your life you hear a little voice whispering in your ear giving you advice and direction… buddy, this is a fucking loud-hailer!”
jUUles - Yes they are. Room for only 1 clown Im afraid. Even then I have to leave my Bonzo shoes outside. Spare no expense. Actually the food is pretty good so no bitchin here.
. Oh God, thanks for the images of neighbour bog action!
Spoonz - Reps is like the luxury suite mate. Theres a minimum floor spec? I think that handbook vanished many many years ago. Soon to be in the clouds mate. I hope your career is long and prosperous and works for you and not you for it!
I have an interesting theory……
Could it be that the rooms are the same size and Hoox is getting bigger?
WG
WG - What? You think this is Alice In Fucking Wonderland? Ok I agree on a few inches but hell’s teeth mate.
I know that you know that I know that YOU KNOW!
OMG - Sometimes I’m so grateful for the jobs I didn’t get. On the other hand - I haven’t seen the digs in Guinea yet…..hmmmm…..
Jazz - Dont you know it?! Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it? So you on PNGLNG? When you mobbing?
Guinea Alumina with M&M. If the stars align I will be there mid July. Fingers crossed.
Jazz - Well very good luck to getting your stars lined up! Is this Guinea, Africa or Guinea, South Pacific? Either way… remember R&R = South Africa!