We are back from Wad Medani. It was a nice and relaxing after living in the chaos of Khartoum. Last night we ate Turkish food, then went to a local amusement park. This was not like any amusement park in the West though. It cost 100 Dinars ($.50) to get in and all of the rides were free. We went on two rides. The first was hanging swings that spun in a circle and the second was a merry-go-round that Matt and I had to push. Afterward, we were swamped by Sudanese asking for money.

They said, "All Americans are rich, so you must give us money."
I pointed at my stomach and asked, "Look at me. Do you really think I am rich?" I was referring to my dirty clothes, but they looked at my thin waist. Being fat was (and I guess still is) a sign of your wealth. When they realized that we did not have money, they accused me of being a spy for the American Government. I explained that American spies have better things to do than ride the horsey rides at the park. They agreed and invited us for tea.

Emily does not drink tea after dinner (because it keeps her up) and Neetha does not like tea, so Matt and I had to drink it all (without the Sudanese noticing, or it would have been rude). They put a pound of sugar and a pound of powdered milk in each cup. Finishing it was not easy. I staggered back to the hotel feeling nauseas.