Feelings on Sudan

During the last hours of sailing across Lake Nasser I was presented my first views of Sudan. The desert sand had warm yellow brownish color and contrasted sharply with the black rocks. Getting into this country was more bureaucracy than I have ever experienced before, but just somewhat later I was already having conversations with the Nubian people. The relaxed, friendly, inviting and curious people made me feel very welcome here.

 

I have arrived in a country that I was very curious about. In our western world the main news about this vast country is mostly negative. Being here on a bicycle gives me the opportunity to discover more of daily life and the people’s private concerns. I’m astonished by the number of contacts I can have each day; some simple, some deeper but always friendly and hospitable.

 

I love deserts but this is the first time to travel a desert by bike. My struggle with the sand, pebbles and gravel is sometimes hard but all this is generously compensated by the beautiful surroundings. Colors differ by the hour and windswept dunes and rocks follow amazing lines. My conquest of the desert by bike forms an important ingredient of my journey here, but I also feel strongly connected to the people and their history. It is sad to know that the large diversity in people sometimes leads to conflicts. It is good to know they always come to an end and I hope that this bond is stronger afterwards.

 

When riding my recumbent through the desert or alongside thousands of astonished people, visiting the National Museum, sipping a ginger coffee in the market, camping under a billion stars or swimming across the Nile I have many times hardly been able not to let my tears flow free, realizing how privileged a person I am to undertake this special journey in a country that we owe so much more understanding.

 

– Edvard Sloots