The meeting was postponed several times. Today as well, we had to wait late afternoon to be able to present our tool.
The meeting in Khartoum takes place in about 2 weeks. Greenlight!
Day 1 -THURS-
I first need to be officially invited by the meeting chairman.
I draft an agenda and start requesting visa documents as they tell me the authorities are slow to process visas.
Day 2 -FRIDAY-
I get the confirmation from our contact in Sudan.
The Visa requirements and forms arrive. Half arabic, half english, a bit counter intuitive. I have an appointment scheduled with the nurse for next Tuesday. :) First time to the heart of Africa.
A colleague gives me the Security clearance link, where I have to register all my travel details before leaving. We are not allowed to travel before having received the security clearance.
I request flight plan to the assistant who requests them to the travel agency. I have to coordinate with another colleague before choosing.
I check what are the different types of malaria medicines (link). Scary!
Day 5 -MON-
Monday 9.30.still no answer from Sudan office, I absolutely need this authorization letter to join to the visa deposit. Visa docs have to be submitted by today 11am. I try to call them, no answer. Lotus Notes is down for many staff.
10.45 I submit the docs without the letter, but embassy is going to withhold proceeding until letter is received.
2pm I try to call again Sudan, I finally get through. Some time later I receive the Note Verbale. I bring them to the protocol office but there I understand that actually the MOFA in Sudan has to give permission to the embassy in rome before they can deliver the visa.
Day 6 - TUE-
I get my three shots (out of 6, luckily I had already Hepatitis vaccines done in the past) + malaria pills and the yellow booklet. I won't take the tough treatment and I just have to start one day before arriving in the country, what is good news in case I don't get my visa on time!
We book flights through DHX what is Dubai and not Djibouti as I thought. But the trip is on two days (leaving in the evening, arriving the next day in the afternoon) as we have 9 hours stopover in the UAE.
Visa? visa?? visa???
I discuss about my presentation with a colleague and she names our colleagues in the field "the cow boys" :) so you should better know what you are talking about...
After work I pass by MAS at piazza Vittorio Emmanuele to get long skirts and large shirts. Not easy to dress light but covered!
Day 7 - WEDN-
Second shopping wave, flip flops for the shower (and camping this summer) and a nice tunique (size L while for Europe I would take S). I'm also looking for a cheap watch but there is no way I can find something for less than 30 euros...
Days 8-11
I'm on leave. Checking emails once in a while. Enjoying friends and family in Rome.
Day 12 - WEDN-
Only three days left before departure... I get my flight tickets and the venue is confirmed. I now have to book an hotel. Good question?
And my passport is still at the embassy and protocol office tells me the consul is sick :)
Day13 - THURS-
Thursday is the last working weekday in Sudan.
I'm still trying to book that hotel through the assistant there before the office closes... what a mess!
On the other hand I receive 847 sudanese pounds + ask my bank to increase my daily withdrawal rate. No international mean of payment is available in Sudan, you have to take it all cash.
And finally I try to arrange an appointment with an ex-classmate working in Dubai...
Day14 - FRI -
Last working day before leaving.
I finally get my passport back with a nice hand written visa!
But I'm a bit worried because I still have no security clearance.
And I start withdrawing my cash reserves: 6x200eur
Day15 - SAT-
In the morning I call the airline to book the complimentary hotel in Dubai, but it's too late for the same day.
And I just have to finalize my packing, no stress the plane leaves at 22:00.
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