Sudanese ‘Steve’ fast facts less ‘Rat Bastard’ comments
Monday, August 20th, 2007Sudan.
Known for the most hospitable people in Africa. I can agree with the statement but have to say that pretty much all African countries are known for that. What really makes them stand out I think is that usually people are coming from Egypt or Ethiopia where you are just constantly hammered by touts and beggers, both of which are rarely found in Sudan. The people in general just leave you alone, which doesn’t necessarily make them the friendliest of the bunch, but you take that as a huge positive after coming from Egypt or Ethiopia. I will add though that another reason is that the environment requires it. Middle to Northern Sudan where I traveled is definitely desert lands. Not the most hospitable environment. I have read similar facts about other harsh places in that the land dictates that you help anybody that comes your way even to the point of giving everything you have. I can imagine the initial scenario was a poor traveler on the brink of death walks up to a persons home and asks for help/water. The owner says no, the guy turns around and dies in the front yard. After a few stinking corpses, the owner figures its a better idea to help out these people rather than have a bunch of stinking corpses screwing up the front yard. In that end, hospitality goes to the extreme.
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