Restless in Khartoum

Well, the electricity has gone off again, here in Diem, in the middle of the night.

I am used to sleeping now without the AC, provided the windows are wide open and the fan is running.

It is disturbing to wake up and not know why.

Then, I realize, I am Hot. What has happened to the fan?

I lie there and listen. All is silent. The AC unit from next door is not running. This is not a good sign.

There is no moon tonight. It is really dark. You forget what pitch black really looks like until you are in it.

The sky is overcast, no stars to be seen. There is no breeze.

The dog is not moving, and I am afraid to see if she has died after the operation.

Bits of plaster fall from the walls onto the floor and my imagination kicks into overdrive. What exactly is moving on the floor?

Some sort of bug is now jumping at the computer screen, white and hot in the night.

(The dog has moved, thanks be to God)

In my neighborhood back home, we all would have opened the doors and gone outside. Others would have been there and we would have determined what had happened.

Someone would have called Delmarva Power, Customer Service. Or called a friend, or used the internet.

Here, everyone stays where they are. It is useless to call the power company, they are usually at fault. The internet will not be of use.

Dogs are now fighting outside and Rascal is up and growling along with them. Such comforting sounds, not.

So, I am up writing on my blog, a connection to others, those unseen, but felt.

I visualize you still outside, it is only 8:30 PM in Delaware. Mosquitos are appearing. Maybe you are still in your pools, and I am envious.

Or maybe, the kids are finishing up soccer or baseball. Or the Blue Rocks are playing and the lights make the nighttime look like day. Cars are zooming past on I-95.

So much light and sounds.

So different from Sudan when the electricity stops in the middle of the night.