Arrive

The journey took all day yesterday and I only arrived here at the airport in the evening. As soon as I entered the hotel, the receptionist called out a friendly "Bienvenido, Tanja". I was slightly irritated as I had never been to this hotel before. It soon turned out that the lady had googled me and therefore knew my face and my work - so much for "travelling inconspicuously". After a few questions about what I was doing here and the assurance that the internet would be working again tomorrow, I was allowed to move into my room.

Today begins in alternating oppressively humid and rainy weather. There's no chance of a coffee before 9.00 a.m., the city has a different rhythm.

Then a cancellation, my contact person has to go away unexpectedly, but she assures me that someone else will get back to me.

The internet is still not working, so I start looking for a supermarket, which I find at the other end of the city. It's "headache weather", the traffic is loud and I'm constantly being asked for money and cigarettes. The city is far too crowded. The walk along the beach at lunchtime ends with a downpour.

By now I'm in the mood of "Why am I doing this, I want to go home".

But as I walk back to the hotel, dripping wet, my phone rings - it's someone who's going to help me with my research. I decide to treat myself to a coffee and sit down in a bar.

The waitress addresses me as "Mi Vida", assures me that the weather is getting better, gives me a towel and within a few minutes I'm fully integrated into the bar conversation.

The cars stop when I want to cross the road, the kiosk vendor can't change and therefore gives me the chewing gum and after being helpfully guided through three shops, I also have a map of the city. The announced friend of my contact person gets in touch with me and helps me to apply for a permit for my work in the refugee camp. The internet in the hotel is working again and I have a glass of red wine in a small square.

I take a deep breath, I have arrived.