"There's not much to do here?", "Why did you come HERE of all places", "You're a teacher? Why didn't you go somewhere cool, like somewhere in Europe?" LOL! These are questions I have formulated answers to because I'm asked them daily. The people of Sudan have a love-hate relationship with their country <<<>
Needless to say I made sure that I got an apartment as soon as possible. I'll have a video posted soon of a tour as soon as I figure out how to do it. I love it! It's big and spacious and I've already started decorating a little. Sooo.....Sudan, you think you can get used to the heat, but no. Especially when the government or WHOMEVER shuts the electricity down randomly throughout the day. You're place can have A/C but if they need some power for something important (i.e. a big football match (soccer)) you'll just have to suffer for awhile...or all night. The other night this happened and thank goodness I had candles ready! It's SO serious.....but I kind of see it as humorous. The Sudanese feel this way too, it's like: "What can you do" This is just the way it is. There are places here where I feel like I'm in the middle of the desert stranded. Then around the corner I'm in a 5 star hotel, that would put even my favorites in San Diego to shame (i.e. Loews). The major thing that keeps me from exploring and making up adventures for myself is the heat. It's so draining that a few hours in it makes you feel like you just ran an marathon...and won. LOL!
One thing that keeps me going, and keeps me motivated is teaching. The kids are spectacular. The backgrounds that some of the kids come from will amaze you. Just so there is an understanding, I'm not teaching in a hut or teaching kids that have no idea how to speak English. Majority of the kids are from some of the wealthiest families in Khartoum. If I'm out with Ms.Beryl (the principal), she'll point to a furniture store, or a grocery store, or a big building and say, " That's so and so's Dad's store," or " So and So's Mom is a lawyer here". The parents pay hefty tuitions for their children to come to an English School, with an American principal and some American teachers. The parents understand the value of having their children being taught by a native English speaker. They've been outside of the country and want to find a place that welcomes the type of freedoms that English speaking countries harbor. That said, most of the parents don't speak English at home (even if they know how). Furthermore, the kids are cared for by nannies and get very limited, if any, help with their homework, so their English is not so good. It took about a week for me to assess each classes level and where I should start in the books. I teach three classes, five times a week. The new 9th grade class, the 8th I.G. class and the 8th grade Sudanese Certificate class. Everyday is a different subject (grammar, world literature, vocabulary, etc.) for each class so it can get taxing. Once I get them motivated to learn, the classes go great. The books that I was provided give me the freedom to break away and have discussions which is the most fun. The kids are tremendously expressive (duh....their ages range from 12-15).
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