Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Last year, I posted pink photos on this blog in order to help raise awareness for breast cancer. You can revisit 2009's post here.  A year later I am doing it again and as I am now in Qatar, I am linking to their societies: Think Pink Qatar and Qatar National Cancer Society. 

The photos were taken in Sudan this year and are copyright © Sue Pownall / travelingsuep. Please email me if you want to use any images.

 Remember we need to raise awareness of breast cancer to protect girls like these.

What will you do this October to support Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Post your pink photos? Join a Walk for Life? Make a donation? Whatever you do, every little helps!!!

Reality check

I love Sudan because of its people. They are the friendliest, kindest people I have ever met. I have made friends quickly, and believe they are real friends, as demonstrated the other weekend with their attempts to rescue me from both the heat and myself. Also, on several occasions whilst out walking, people have offer to share their meal with me. I can think of many, many examples of peoples kindness and friendship. As an expat, I also have a reasonable package which includes accommodation, food and laundry, so life is easy here, for me.

However, Sudan has its problems, not the least of which is the continued US sanctions that are still imposed here. There are many refugees, both Sudanese and from other countries. Down my street there are families living in cardboard shacks or within the shells of partially built buildings. What will happen when the rains come I dread to think. Unemployment is a big problem here. A friend told me that both his elder brothers are unemployed, his sister's husband works abroad and so he is supporting the whole family on his single salary. Working in my hotel there is a young Eritrean refugee, who cannot return to his country and family due to the military situation. He is highly educated, speaks perfect English, but the only work he can find here is as a waiter. He says that he suffers discrimination because of both his race and religion. With the low salary he has to pay rent and support his younger brother, who is also here but unable to find work. In respect of human rights infringements or the on going troubles in Darfur, I have no knowledge other than the contrary reports the media produces and I will leave them to those more knowledgeable than myself to comment on. I will only write about personal experience and observations.

This is not my normal type of post so why am I writing this? I am writing to remind myself how lucky I am. Sudan is a fantastic country, the people are amazing, to me. I do care about the problems and I would like to find a way I can help, even if it is in some small way, and I also feel guilty for how different my life is here compared to many others. BUT, and it is a big but, I can't help feeling happy and very, very fortunate to be here.

Mini-adventures

Horse & boy, originally uploaded by travelingsuep.

After work today, instead of being dropped back at the hotel, I got dropped downtown about a block from the Nile. I wanted to visit the Ethnographic Museum, which I'd failed to do at the beginning of the month. The museum was very interesting. It helped as it is very well laid out and has signs in English. Afterwards, I walked about 7 blocks in the very hot afternoon (around 42 °C) trying to find a bus. 

I've said before that the Sudanese people are lovely, here's an example: I was at a huge junction, and could not get across the street. An old man walking past, changed the direction he was going, guided me across between the traffic, then crossed back and continued on his way. 

Moments later I was hailed by one of the minibuses. It's quite strange to see the minibuses slow near people stood on the pavements and a boy/young man stands at an open door shouting out the bus's direction. I asked for my area and street, the young man didn't know where I wanted to go, but another passenger said yes they were going there so I got on. I was charged half a Sudanese pound (about £0.15 ) and was taken through areas that I vaguely recognised and areas I didn't, but was told to get off shortly after I had seen a building I had walked past on one of my early wanders. I was at the bottom of my street phew. 

I always find taking public transport very nerve racking, and worry I am going to end up somewhere miles from my destination, especially when I'm not sure they have understood where I'm going. After this little adventure, and as it's so ridiculously cheap, I will be hopping on more minibuses, although not until later in the day, when it should be a little cooler.

As you may have noticed, I do not have a picture of a minibus, but thought the boy with his horse & cart I took recently would be a good substitute.