Tue 7 Dec

I was sure there had been just a simple misunderstanding, but it was beginning to look to me like the man behind my host organisation out here had forgotten that I was here in a voluntary capacity and that a little courtesy, respect and in particular involvement in making decisions affecting me would be appreciated.

After waiting a week for a meeting he rang, on the day, not so much to cancel the meeting but to let me know he would not be there. I was angry with his attitude and told him so.

We met later that day. I shared several concerns and thoughts that were on my mind, and he shouted and banged his desk in reply. Then, inexplicably, he snapped out of it. Sweetness and light, "no promises, but we will see what we can do."

Was he persuaded or exhausted? I could not be sure. This week he has been contactable, agreeable, and even chatty so I am optimistic that things have changed. Hopefully I can get an assignment out of Khartoum for six weeks while my University students are doing exams and taking their vacation.