1st Day in Sudan

"Fasten your seat belt" the sweet voice echoed with digital display on TV, "We are going to land on the Khartoum International Airport; the time in Sudan is now 1635 hrs, and the outside temperature is......" continued; I drew my head nearer to the side-window and could find a vast land of desert with Khartoum as an oasis in it! It was 1700hrs of 24 Apr 2008, the sun was just above the horizon..shining high and hot! I stepped into the airport arrival lounge amid black people. They all are speaking in Arabic.

Though Sudan being the largest country of Africa but the airport is so small and that to within the lap of Khartoum! It seemed funny to me. However my colleagues were waiting outside the airport to receive me. It was real hot out there which reminded me on my first day in Kuwait which was also in the same month(April) back in 1992. The climate of both the countries seemed alike. Meanwhile all my luggages were shoved inside and I took no time to jumped into the Pajero which then headed for our destination at Burri Daraysa closer to the River Nile. "Zamil, now we are at the south side of the airport" my senior colleague Mr Naser contnued, " You see, there are three main streets in Khartoum namely Africa Street, Ebeid Khatim Street and Sixty Street ; these all are running from south to north, running parallel to each other and the airport is sandwiched between former two streets."

I felt very good seeing the road condition and the traffic system of Khartoum. It is no less than a developed country!I looked at the setting Sun, it was still shining and clear even at 1900hrs! I wondered inside"Why the sun is still like that even at this time. Is it because of the very location of Sudan... since it is between the Tropic of Cancer and Equator? May be..." I murmured. It was 2200hrs back in my country, my wife along with daughters were eagerly waiting for me to hear the safe journey..I dipped into the nostalgic world again...

" Here we come." my colleague turned the vehicle at right. I peeped through the window....there were few black men and women on their way home....reminding me the end of another day from history of mankind.