Saturday, June 24, 2006

The Russians are Coming

If I had any doubt that the country is filled with foreigners it was laid to rest last night. I went to the Afra Mall, which is funded in part by Turkish company. I could count the Sudanese on my hands, it was filled with UN folks, and Chinese, Turkish and Malaysian business folks. It was a little disconcerting I don't know why exactly I'm reacting so negatively to seeing foreigners in Sudan. I think its probably because most of them were brought in by a very self serving corrupt government that is profitting hugely from these people, but there is not even a trickle down to the average citizen. At the amusement park in the gardens of the mall, the park is called the SudaTurk Family Park, the only music I heard was Turkish music. It was pretty surreal.
I have only been in Sudan about three weeks, but everyday I go out I see a fist fight. I think its because tempers flare under the hot, hot sun. I have to admit the heat is getting to me, it canspoil a perfectly good day, and ruin your happy disposition. But I'm learning patience.
I passed by the Russian mafia house the other day. Well at least thats what my friend calls it. Its actually the residence of all these Russian pilots. They fly relief worker planes, government planes, apparently they make quite a killing. I met a couple of them last year. I don't know how they get around since most of the ones I met didn't speak Arabic or English.
I think like Zimbabwe Sudanese schools are going to start offering Chinese, in addition to this Turkish and maybe even Malay.

1 comment:

Nii Arde said...

same way i felt when i last went home. like u say, it's a war economy and some few get to benefit...sadly.