omdurman
October 24, 2004
Just got back from having some indian food at Little Asia. Just when you thought it was safe to sweat again. Well the election is coming up. It’s my first experience with absentee ballots. I have to admit it’s a long process trying to vote overseas. Everyone is quick to back their candidates even thousands of miles from home. I’ve posted more pics on the photo link. It's the Souk Market in Omdurman I’ve visited a few times. The smells there are enough to last you a lifetime. Going pass the spice vendors smells like a perfume store. Then there’s the meat market. The food is hanging fresh from the awnings. Little souped up golf carts putt by every other minute carrying people from one side of the market and back. The streets are congested with pedestrians so taking anything larger than a regular car is asking for delays. When I went, I had forgot my hat and just had a bandana. I haven’t seen anyone wearing one since I got here so I was hesitant to put it on. Finally, I ended up buying a knitted skull cap from a vendor. I got a few looks as people watched a white guy walking around in an Muslim hat. It kept the heat off and I tried to be mindful of my actions walking around. One guy did stop me and asked if I was a Muslim. I hated to disappoint him but I think I got the point across. Another thing I noticed every time I go there. Someone always asks me if I’m British or German, never American. Haven’t figured that out yet. Even the locals at work sometimes ask me if I’m British. I knew all Monty Python watching would come back to haunt me. I walked out to the car today and found the second of the flat tires I’ve had in one month of driving my car. The roads are hard on regular cars. I got it changed quickly and was happy to have my ride again. Nothing like having to hitch a ride in Sudan. One of the common practices on the road are hitchhikers. If you stand by the road and put your arm down and out with a couple fingers pinching together, that means you’re looking for a ride in Khartoum. I’ll see everyone from police to pedestrians hopping into the back of a pickup for a lift down the road a mile. If you don’t lock your doors you may have a carpool buddy at the next stop sign. People are cool about it and haven’t run into the problem we have in the states with the Ted Bundys of the world. Time to wrap it up. Occasionally wonder about the weather back home and how it’s almost time for Halloween. I imagine Xmas items will be popping up in stores near you. Haven’t had a chance to write anything for awhile. Did another trip to the Souk today with another group of co-workers. Tried to talk to a vendor that had a couple swords I was interested in. He’s come down a little in price and I’ve gone up a bit. But no sale so far. I did buy several things for family though. Spent a lot of time uploading all the pictures of the pyramid trip I took a few weeks ago. So check em out in the photo section....Today was a birthday for Mark, one of the guys at work, so I tagged along for a birthday dinner at a Turkish restaurant. They had buffet night so we had a wide selection of choices. Mostly assorted veggies and meats. Nothing too exotic. They had a dessert table though with pomegranates and squash that I tried. Both equally tasty. The squash was served in honey which I never would of thought of....The other big news would be my bid list is finally in so I don’t have to think about that anymore.