Kassab

Formalities went smooth and it was hot. We had left the highlands and for the coming weeks we had to get used to high temperatures.There were regular police road blocks and our passports were checked several times. But Ed found soon the place where we would spent the night: research centre and hospital Kassab about 30km before Gedaref. From our old friend El Tahir everyone in the hospital people knew that we were coming. He had shown them pictures from 14 years ago! The welcome was very warm and they all looked very well after us. Cold drinks were available and pretty soon we were talking about the ‘old’ days in Um- Kuraa when Ed and Helma were working on a kala azar project. A nice diner was served. We slept outside under a mosquito net. Dr Brima asked if we wanted to use internet. Internet in the middle of nowhere? We were a bit sceptical after our experiences in Ethiopia and we tried our blog. Within seconds it showed on the screen, unbelievable! The boys were happy, meaning that they would be able to play games on the internet again in Khartoum.
The next day we visited the hospital and everyone wanted us to take photographs. It was very impressive. More surprises lay ahead. We went to the market to buy items for our breakfast ´fatuur´, and they even had yoghurt! All soda drinks were available, even our favourite Fanta Black Currant and all kind of nice juices. Things must have changed in the Sudan, would we still recognise Khartoum?