Learning the art of flocculation….
Flocculation! What an awesome word… it just sort of rolls off your tongue and drips with suggestion. Unfortunately, what it means is nothing like what it sounds. This is one of the many things I learned in the last couple of weeks in Switzerland. The art of flocculation is how you turn filthy contaminated water into clear water with no bits in it, ready to be chlorinated and purified for drinking. There is a feeling of rightness when you now know what the steps are to provide water for a Refugee camp of 75,000 people although I know that the actual process of doing this in 5 litres of water, is probably a little different to doing it to 5,000 litres of water. But still… I’m learning!
I have now finished my MSF training in Switzerland, and I’m in London! WOO HOO!! I met some awesome people from all sorts of different places. We had people from France, Switzerland, Norway, Brazil, Germany, French Canada and only one small aussie. In fact, I was the only person there who spoke english as a first language, and it was only in the last few days that I actually got up the courage to speak the few french words I know.
There are a few of us who have been given actual missions. My room mate Aurelie is off to Chad today for six months as an Administrator. Kristian from Norway is off to Somalia in about 3 weeks for six months - that’s a bit of a scary one but he seems to be taking it in his stride. Cecile from France is shortly off to Niger, and Bente from Norway is off to Kyrgistan within the next couple of weeks. Sylvia from Brazil is a Psychiatrist who looks like she will be going to Darfur which is the scariest of them all. My possible posting to Ethiopia looks like it will be a breeze in comparison.
I am still waiting for final confirmation about the Gambella, Ethiopia posting, but if I go it appears that the contract starts in Mid-April. So I’ve still got a while to wait.
I spent some time in my old Accenture office in London on Thursday, and they have offered me some contract work for a couple of weeks, which I am seriously considering. I have been on holiday now for six months which is a very long time - and I haven’t earned any money in that time either. I think I will probably put my plane ticket back at least a week and get a solid couple of weeks work in, in London.
It’s funny, I never really felt the energy of London when I was living here before, but now I feel it as I walk through the streets. It sounds a bit poetic, but I can actually feel the pulse of the city, now that I have been away and in quiet Perth for a while. I wouldn’t want it for a long time, but it’s quite energising at the moment.
I am staying with my friend Sarah, who lived with me when I first moved to Sydney in 2001. She is such a darling, and is letting me stay in her spare room. Unfortunately she is now going away for the next couple of weeks, and I will be all alone in her house - but it should be ok - I have so many people I want to catch up with that I’m sure I won’t be at home on my own too much.
So for all of you in London, expect to hear from me shortly.
Big kisses!!
