One more trip before vacation

I’m guessing that as my trips to Somalia become more frequent, they will no longer merit blog entries. I don’t always shoot photos and I don’t always visit activities. It’s often mostly meetings and not that visually exciting.

armed escort through the IDP area

When I take visitors, however, I try to get them out to see a bit of the country and whatever security allows. Generally there is something interesting to see, either through the tinted, bullet-proof glass or during the very short visits – limited in duration for security reasons.

waiting area at the clinic

The camps for those who have been displaced (by drought, flooding or insecurity), a.k.a. IDPs, are generally a mixture of beauty and ugliness. The colors of the clothing are amazing. The squalid living conditions are often shocking and sad. It always brings home how great the need is and how much needs to be done. Things are improving from what they were a few months ago but it’s still quite devastating.

so much wonderful, abandoned architecture; some slowly being restored

Generally when I have a visitor we go to one of the IDP camps, then off to one of the hospitals we support and then back to the office. If security allows we like to stop at the Lido, to a particular restaurant on the beach that has great views and gives people an idea of some of the beauty of Mogadishu and how much potential is there.

the beautiful side of Mogadishu

Not many people that do what I do get to do these things due to security protocols. I’m happy that my security guys strike a good balance between sheltering me and letting me get out and see some things. It’s hard to know if you’re getting it right but you’ll definitely know if you get it wrong.

some of the more enjoyable traffic