Burns Night in February? How Bazaar!

Throughout my first month or so in Khartoum, I have been fortunate to be working with such great friends and colleagues, who have introduced me to the various expat clubs and societies which exist in the city and invited me to various events. The strict shariah law and cultural differences which exist in Sudan, can make life boring (or even lonely) for an expat, especially if used to the vibrant night life found in most western cities. However, once part of the expat community, any visitor to Khartoum should find there are plenty of opportunities to socialise.

I have found the key to enjoying life in Sudan is to network at any opportunity, join any club going, and develop a wide range of contacts. This is why I joined the Hash House Harriers, mentioned in an earlier blog, which incidentally was cancelled this week due to a sandstorm which engulfed Khartoum. I did take some photos, but obviously they don’t show a great deal! Needless to say, it was extremely unpleasant outdoors and running with the Hash in those conditions would have been unwise.

Another club I joined in my first month is the Khartoum Caledonian Society, which meets in the British embassy once a week for Scottish dancing and liquid refreshments. It will come as no surprise that Burns Night is the main event in the Caledonian Society calendar, but celebrating it last Friday night may be more of a surprise. I think security was the main reason for the months delay, although perhaps it was just on Sudanese time! (In Sudan, everything and everybody always runs late). Traditionalists will however be pleased to learn there was the obligatory ‘piping in the haggis’ and poetry readings, as well as witty (or should that be tedious?) speeches by various dignitaries, including the ambassador. I had the impression the coalition goverments austerity measures may have affected the event too, as my portion of haggis did seem rather small! Never mind, the dancing which followed dinner was great fun, even if I did feel a little underdressed compared to all those in kilts and/or dinner jackets.

The first half of term also ended this week with the PTA school bazaar, which was a well attended event with music, a fashion show, children’s races, market stalls, and of course lots of food! (I tried some Malaysian food which was available at one of the stalls). Unfortunately, I had drawn the short straw with the ‘helping out’ rota, and found myself supervising the extremely popular children’s races from 3pm until 5pm – in the heat of the day!! Children paid 2SDG to enter various events including the sack race and the egg and spoon race.

I am now looking forward to a weeks holiday, and am planning to visit Port Sudan, which will be my first experience travelling outside Khartoum. A full half term report will follow next week.