Sudani

so many promises..yet none were kept
7 words describe me..

anyway..again I am digressing

I want to yap about my work. Its kinda boring..the way its going. Yet everyday, something funny or very sad tend to happen makes me laugh or appreciate my being here.

Sudanese, I must say, I do not understand them at all. They are a very happy lot and can make do with just about anything. Its something you have to experience for yourself to be able to share what I am talking about. Its something u would laugh or shake your head in disbelief at sit downs with your fellow colleagues who served in this peculiar country.

Ok. I think Ill have to explain to you anyway. I might not explain it very well but I'll have to start somewhere. After some practice via this blog I hope Ill be remembered as a good story teller one day.

WARNING: I might not finish what I might not started off well.

!) I saw people drinking out of condensed water from Air Conditioning drains. Yes. They do it here. And they dont get sick.
@) They took their bath out of corroded iron tank from waist up. Yes. Waist up! They are being modest not to remove their trousers while taking a bath in front of the Control Room. But yet they do it without wetting any part waist down..including their feet. I cannot explain to you in writing how they do it. I wish I had a camera with me that day.
#) They always work in a minimum group of 3 people at a time. 2 sitting down resting, the other one work his ass off. Then he will take his turn to rest. One of the rested one will start working now, while the other one continue on another stretch of rest time.
$) Productivity? What productivity?
%) Safety? What safety?
^) "Lets drink some coffee". "Come, I will make a cup of coffee for you". Those are familia invitations for coffee you would likely get from these hospitable people. But If you are looking for job.. You might only find coffee drinkers and baristas around the plant most of the time.

I'll put up pictures of what I am talking about. I promise..

on being called a hajj

Yesterday was my birthday. A significant one for me coz i have completed my fifth rukun Islam..i.e. "memuniakan haji di Mekah"
Wow!
But please dont call me hajj.. here in Sudan, the title "hajj" are reserved for old people. I dont need to be reminded that I am old. Here's some pictures of my escapades in Mekah and Madinah with my lovely wife the "hajjah"..
A few days before the Wukuf.. The cloak of Kaabah has not been change yet.. The white strip is because it was folded up outwards..



The mosque entrance as seen from my hotel door

We are here Allah! There is no god but You alone..

The Rukun Yamani.. I believe geographically this side is the qiblat for the Sudani
The Kaabah, towards the end of my stay.. pilgrims start to dwindling in numbers
Assalatu wassalam ala Rasulullah saw
"Door to heaven".. a burial pit at the Baqi'

Scene from inside the Raudhah.. the Gardens of Heaven..