While I'm sure we all like to go to the movies, mall, or hang out with friends, there's very much to do in Sudan as well.
With the first mall built in the Capital of Khartoum, Sudan in the city of Arkaweet, It was a great way people like to spend their time. It had many restaurants, a market, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and a small outside fair. This mall however, was burned down in May 2012. The source of the fire is still not detected.
Another way people like to spend their time in Sudan is by going to a place they call Nile Street or in arabic, "Shari'a Al-Nil." It's a beautiful area around the blue Nile. Most people like to take blankets to have picnics along the concrete walls near the river.
There are also many foreign restaurants people like to spend their time at. There are several called Amwaj, Laziz, Pizza corner, and my personal favorite Ozone. Many people of Sudan as well as foreigners that go there such as Americans, all enjoy the food of these places very much. These restaurants serve food such as burgers, pizza, fries, and chicken nuggets. To please their customers, they also serve desert as well. Ozone for example offers red velvet cupcakes and gelato.
Shopping is an important pass time that keeps people occupied. Whether it's grocery shopping or just shopping for clothes, the "Souq" or store is convenient for both needs. In Sudan, the name of the "Souq" is depending on where it it located. For example, There is a city named "Omdurman" which contains a store/ market called "Souq Omdurman." Many people set up stands in the market ans sells their items. There are stands for fruits, vegetables, jewelry clothes, and much more set up in the "Souq."
In the United States, there are also malls, restaurants, and markets which people go to to spend their leisure time.
Works Cited:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afra_Mall
http://wikitravel.org/en/Khartoum
When you and your family were living in Sudan, did you live in Khartoum or in Arkaweet? How long did it take to get to the mall or to these restaurants? Who went, and how much did it cost?
ReplyDeleteDig deeply and show us what the every-day life is like for a family member of yours still in the Sudan. I think a day-in-the-life post will allow U.S. readers to really do that compare and contrast of the experiences.
And souks can bee really sensory-dependent experiences, right? How about embedding a video or images that show the lively variety of goods one can find in a souk? That would enhance this text.
I was wondering why you were referring to the mall in the past-tense, until I read that it had been burned down, wow!
ReplyDeleteIs the restaurant called "Ozone" because how hot it is there (are there sun themed logos)? I'd imagine gelato would be great when it's hot out.
What are the prices like in these markets compared with american prices? Do you find you can get really good deals on things that would cost a lot more back in the states?