The Pyramids of Sudan

Although I've left Sudan, and am now in Ethiopia - actually about to leave Ethiopia too after an amzing week of injera, beer, and friends, I though I'd still write about my last two events while in Sudan.......the pyramids, and an authentic Sudanese dinner.

a little market outside Khartoum

Considering that there are pyramids and pharaoh's temples all along the Nile in the deserts of Egypt, it was not surprising to find out that Sudan also has its fair share of pyramids and temples in its desert along the Nile. Thus last Saturday, Maha, the person I am training to take over HR in the company in Sudan, organised a trip up 2hrs north from Khartoum.

Stocked with a 4x4, a driver, loads of shawerma and falafel sandwiches and a cooler with packed with ice and soft drinks, we headed up to a place whoses name I forgot, but which is known to hold the pyramids of Sudan.

The pyramids were not as big as the ones I've seen the Egypt, but that is because they were built at a different era, and also, the guide told us that the while the pyramids in Egypt were big because the chambers were built above the ground, the pyramids in Sudan were small because the chambers were built below the ground, under the actual pyramid.

We thus enjoyed a stroll around the pyramids, a peak in a couple of them, being scorched by the hot 40 degrees sun and a final camel ride to the car.

the guy was trying to convince me that the Camel is strong enough to carry me!!! I finally gave in and put myself in his hands and the ones of his camel

The rest of the day was spent in the Sudanese Market, which is obviously much smaller than the Ethiopian one, though similar in style. We walked around the shops and I bargained my way through various ebony statues which I'll use to decorate my future home! :)

Dinner At Maha's

On my last night in Sudan, Maha decided to treat me to a real Sudanese dinner. So she invited me to her home in Khartoum for dinner with her family. Her family was amazing. Although English was limited, my little Arabic and their little English ended up in explosions of laughter.

I chatted with her sisters, her sisters in law, her mother as well as her little niece.

As is the custom in Sudan, and quite often in other Muslim countries, when there are female guests, these are entertained by the females of the family while the men are in another room, and vice versa when there are male guests. So I was warmly entertained by the women of the house.

The little 3yr old niece performed live entertainment consisting of some dancing and singing to her favourite songs.

her little neice attacking the food before everyone else does

Dinner was great, a large table cloth was placed on the floor, then the women started bringing plates full of food, salads, falafel, grilled lamb, and this funny Sudanese dish which was slimy and a bit sour, but not too bad!!!

come to table....

bidding my farewells