The Sudan I Love

I'm getting very good at taking public transport despite sticking out like a sore thumb. One of my colleagues says that although I look Sudanese I have a foreign stamp or something. People love striking up conversation with me, and generally looking at me. Its a little unnerving. The other day I went to a restaurant to have lunch. So I went to the washroom, and I was minding my own business and this old guy, is like "hey baby, can I get your number so I can get to know your sweetness". It was pretty gross.
On the bus I like to sit next to the window and look outside. Truth be told Khartoum is an ugly capital. But there is always something interesting going on. People are always eating outside, chatting laughing. Children are playing, old women, old men and children are begging. I saw a particularly gruesome accident, where a woman wearing a burqa was injured. The first person who came to her aid, and physically carried her was southern woman, around her neck was a cross. I wish I had taken a picture, because in my mind that is what Sudan can be.
Things are kind of picking up here. We're making final preparations and we should be off soon. My cousin is getting married, and her "Henna" is next friday. The "Henna" is the night where she is decorated with henna on her hands and feet. Then in a matter of days she's off to Saudi to be with her new husband.
I've discovered anything called "Friendship" was a gift from the Chinese during the times of Communism. There is a Friendship Hospital in Omdurman which is just across the river from Khartoum. One of my younger cousins believes it is her destiny to marry a Chinese man. It will be interesting if that happens, its not unheard of, I've seen Chinese-Sudanese couples, there are stranger things.
I have been impresonating medical officials. I needed to go visit my mother's aunt at the hospital but visiting hours were over, so I spoke only English telling them at that I was a visiting doctor from the U.S. and needed to see my patient. My cousin came in as well she was my translator you see.
Besides havoc and mayhem I've been spreading love. I can't wait to get to the field. I sometimes really miss the States, but then sometimes I can't imagine not being here. Its exciting and there's challenge, everything is different here. I sound like one of those European Africanists. Talk about exotifying my own country. But I've learned patience, or at least trying to, everything takes forever to get done so I better get used to that.