World Cup in the Desert

Yes we may be in Africa... but we are a looooong way from the world cup.

We make do though, thanks to satellite TV and a very international household..

Here's the Dutch match (note the orange shirts) (I was too depressed to pick up the camera while the Socceroos were on, Boo Hoo!).

The Sky Kingdom

Darfur is a nice place, don't get me wrong.
But sometimes, a little escapism is needed.
I escape whenever I feel like it, through pictures from past adventures and planning future ones.

Much like I used to escape my childhood boredom through the pages of National Geographic. Those photographers, my 'gods', (like Steve McCurry, Tom Abercrombie, and Annie Griffiths Belt) influenced the path I chose in many ways I think. I needed to create my own adventures.

Anyway, today I needed some fresh mountain air so I journeyed back to a sleepy little Basotho village, in Lesotho (pronounced 'lesootoo'), Africa's 'Mountain Kingdom'.
And you can come too.

Oh Dear...
This is getting almost... insulting.
We come here to help, and the Governement allows this to keep on happening.
http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFHEA34099720100623

Haboub Season

This morning we drove out to the camp only to find our Rubhall had been flattened by the Haboub last night...

Luckily no food stocks were inside.

One Year.

I have been in Sudan just on 14 months.

Its interesting looking back through these entries.. Looking back at how I felt over the year. Foreign and out of place, quite unsure. And then how familiarisation started to be born, along with friendships and language and horses - of course horses! How relaxed I have become here. Establishing my Sudan routine, embedding this most unique of chapters into my story.

It feels like 'home'.

For now.

I am involved in mankind.

I really love this...

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

John Donne

1572-1671

Around Here.

Whats going on around here these days?

Well, a lot actually..

Have a look Here if you have a few minutes up your sleeve.

And here for the Darfur the world sees.

I'm all about milling these days.

The milling of cereals that is.

Its the focus of my new job.

Its strange, for us lucky folk, to have to consider budgeting some of your weekly expenditure on the preparation of your food, in order to be able to actually make something of it.

Not so for the majority of the worlds population.. who need to clean, de-husk, soak or mill their raw foodstuffs before they can even think about putting it over the fire (firewood? oh yes, thats another cost one must account for..).

We are attempting to provide a 'voucher' with the monthly food ration. This entitles the recipient to the milling of a certain quantity of cereal they receive. One less thing they then need to save for. Or better yet, some spare cash left over for some fresh vegetables or meat for change..

Sorghum and peanuts for sale in Kalma camp,

Nyala. Yesterday.

Return to the Desert

I've been away.

Away from this desert, from my routine and from the laptop.

It's been refreshing, enlightening, reaffirming and facilitating.

I have a new perspective on many things - not only due to the clarity that travel to new landscapes always delivers, but for the reason that I have a new job and a new home.

I am now living in far-western Sudan.

And I will share with you my little journeys and adventures along the way, if you ever care to drop by. A picture here, a small poem there.

Bring a cuppa and maybe it will feel like we are actually together again?

I hope it will.

I have a feeling I will need the warmth of your company out here.

In between the Sudanese snippets, I will give you a taste of my recent travels.

With some snaps and stories of the sights my eyes and soul beheld, on this great, great continent.

She called to me, this land, as a child long ago.

It took me a while to answer her. But I am here, with her now.

And I am content to give of myself to her.

Anyway. I'm glad you are back.

I've missed you.

Nyala, 7pm, June 12th.

Looking out from the rooftop of my new home.