After nine months in Sudan, I've finally managed to take some time off - and arrive 'home' (well, in the place where most my family lives) just in time for the holidays.
Culture shock, as usual, is more intense in reverse - and even on the drive home from the airport I began marvelling at how beautiful life can be in a peaceful and prosperous country like my own.
While even the most horrific stories and sights rarely make me emotional on the job in Sudan (counsellors tell me this is all to do with self-protection), I found myself getting teary-eyed at the sight of a lovingly handpainted bird house that was perched among the pines in a woody residential area near my home.
To think that someone had the time, the resources and the compassion for a few little winged creatures to erect this little bird haven for no particularly pressing reason suddenly seemed like the ultimate luxury to me - a kind of luxury that I'll be unlikely to see in Darfur for quite a long time.
As I rediscover the comforts of my 'normal' life and begin to reflect on my Darfur experiences, I will also try to take a few weeks of holiday from my blog. I hope to be back with stories and thoughts on Darfur in the new year.
posted by sleepless in sudan @
19 comments
19 Comments:
I felt the exact same way, and still do to a degree when I left Bosnia for the last time.
It's always amazed me how as fast as the snap of a finger one can be transported from one extreme to the other.
Merry Christmas!
John
Are you the only one blogging from Darfur on the situation from an eye-witness account?
Global Voices Online wants to link with anyone blogging from Darfur or other regions of Sudan.
Well done.
The DARFUR Blog
Sleepless, I just found your blog via "My Heart's in Accra". I've read back to November, and then just had to say something. Problem is, I don't know what. I'm speechless at the magnitude of what you do, and how calmly you manage to write about it. Funny, too. Thank God for people like you. Enjoy your holiday as much as you can. I know how hard it can be when an alternate universe keeps unbalancing everything you see.
I haven't been to war torn parts of the world, but I've been to and from between Jamaica and the US many times. I often feel like my flight is a time warp between utterly different worlds, except Jamaica is becoming increasingly Americanized.
@anonymous - If you think of the world as our global community, then traveling to do work in Darfur can be just as important, if not more, than doing work on American soil. Plus, pound for pound, resources directed at our ailing communities in the states are many times that of 3rd world countries. I'd be interested in knowing whether you still hold this opinion once you travel internationally (provided you see any point in traveling out of the US).
Hello Sleepless,
I've been working just across the border with Darfur refugees in Eastern Chad. I've just made my way home and certainly sympathize with the peculiaralities of such a return. I've been following your blog whenever I have been forturnate enough to have access to internet (which essentially involves begging WFP) and I am simply impressed with the impression you have left on so many people. Keep it up, but don't forget to take care of yourself.
And for those who don't understand anonymity, you don't know Sudan.
You are in my thoughts everyday now -- since Nicholas Kristoff wrote about Darfur and mentioned your blog. I feel more optimistic about the world because you live in it. When I think of YOU, I think, also, of all the brave individuals like you, out in frightening parts of the world, by choice. You chose this journey. I'm not a religious woman, but AMEN to you, peace, l'chaim. And happy new year to everyone whose lives and hearts you've touched.
Hope you're adjusting back nicely :) But does this mean you're no longer eligible for a bloggie in the Africa/Middle East category?
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I was working in Darfur for a few months last year. I just found this blog and am enjoying reading Sleepless' words. They are all (except the single girl stuff) so familiar and true. I might go back.
Thanks,
Hello, are you still in Darfur or somewhere else?
Interesting. I worked in Sudan (Kadugli, Sth. Kordofan) in the eighties for three years. I would have stayed but was not allowed to stay by the government of the time.
At that time the towns and villages of the area were caught up bewteen government and SPLA fire. 20 years ago and I suspect perpetrators of human rights abuses, which there were, although the international media took no notice, have still not come to justice.
All the best Bob
I found your blog from the 2006 bloggies award finalists! So glad I did! Good luck!
Just a quick response to Jessica's comment on what people can do to help in Darfur - here's a post I wrote a few weeks ago on this: http://sleeplessinsudan.blogspot.com/2005/12/ive-been-ranting-lot-over-past-few.html
Though a simple post, that was actually quite beautiful. Sometimes days like today can seem so drab and useless--the rain, the wind, the cold.
We do live a privileged life here, thanks for reminding us.
-=-Julian-=-
P.S. I also found your site through the Bloggies. I have a feeling I'll be visiting this site more often.
Hi. I was just blogging and couldn't resist a title as funny as Sleepless in Sudan, cuz what else would anyone be in Sudan?
I want to keep this one. Funny lady.
I find it amazing that you took the time to go to Darfur and took on an active role in making a difference. In my past history classes I have learned much about genocide and how people in other countries around the world don't do anything about it. It's nice to know there are people out there, like you, that are trying to do something to change what is happening in third world countries. I was wondering if you learned anything about the Sudanese government or economic systems, because if these systems were strong, I feel that genocide shouldn't be as much of a problem as it has become. I am sure you have experienced life changing events, that will make you look at the world differently and appreciate everything so much more.
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