Sudan stuck solid
Tuesday day 51
Heading South we would try to avoid going through dusty villages, which either have mud houses or straw huts if near agriculture. The village roads are not roads but rough and normally very dry tracks. Hugo was driving in high ratio (new words for him) and he decided to cut between two houses only to become stuck firm in the village cesspool. It was very wet and the Toyota despite having one wheel on dry land was not able to move even with Isabella’s extensive off road experience. We used our bright orange sandboards and after one hour and some digging by 37 of the villagers , Hugo and Stefan we let some air out of the tyres and we finally made it out the cesspit.
For some reason Isabella who was by then driving was very keen on Hugo having a shower that evening. Luckily the aroma was not bad.
In the Sudan where Sharia law is enforced we have felt very safe. These villagers were extremely helpful and friendly and many became very dirty pushing us and digging us out. Sadly we had an unpleasant experience .At the same time a torch attached to Stefan’s motorbike disappeared . Hugo and Stefan sprang into action. Having carefully checked we had not got them as by then we were tired and sun burnt in 44 deg of heat they challenged the crowd of villagers. “We will not go till the things are returned”. We had to explain what they were so our acting skills have come in handy. I am pleased to say they were given back to us and the people were very ashamed of their neighbours. It was not an easy moment. ...
We then took a ferry across the Nile to the East bank to rejoin the tarmac road. Note the rotten life rafts above in the pictures.Alongside the ferry there is a large bridge being built by the Chinese as always in return for oil. We then passed Sudans largest sugar factory proudly announcing they had made 60,000 tonnes of Alcohol last year which seems strange in this very “tea total” dry in both senses country. The Sudanese love sugar and have 3 tea spoonfuls in their small glasses of tea. The tea made from very good Kenya grown tea or Hibiscus from Darfur in the west of Sudan or ground Ginger (origin unknown) is wonderful. The people are so friendly we are all very happy here, but we are looking forward to Ethiopia in 5 days, hot showers, cool evenings in the Simien mountains and even cool Beer!
Locally made Peanut butter: This has become a staple food for Hugo. The pot of crunchy stuff is put in the larder drawer with indents and scoops but after 5 hours of driving in 40 deg heat it always comes out with a smooth top.
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