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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Khartoum USA Magazines



A few weeks ago I asked fellow bloggers, Sunny of Barnyards and Barnacles,(Massachusetts) and Betsy of Joyful Reflections (Tennessee), if they could suggest a couple of good women's magazines from their country. Our company General Manager, Issam Noah, whom I'd not yet met, was due back from his leave in the States and I wanted to ask him to bring me some magazines.

Sunny and Betsy respectively mailed me a comprehensive list which Grant forwarded to the GM as per my request. Issam arrived in Khartoum last Saturday (he was a week later than originally planned because of the snowstorms in the US). He went to the office on Sunday (which is Monday in the Sudan!) On Monday when I heard him start his car to go to work, I popped my abaya over my house attire, and went downstairs to introduce myself. He went back into his flat, fetched the three magazines he'd bought and handed them to me. He refused to accept any payment. Sweet man.
So thanks to my dear friends, Sunny and Betsy and new acquainance, Issam, I now have more reading material here in Khartoum.
For those of my readers who haven't visited Sunny or Betsy's blog, do yourself a favour and pop over there. You will be so glad you did.

12 comments:

  1. If you are interested.... I could send you a pagage with some American things... like coins, candy, and such... In exchange for the same. uncertainhorizon@gmail.com :-)

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  2. Maybe you could have a garden on the roof.

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  3. Hi Jo,
    I'm so glad you got some magazines, and thank you for your kind words.
    Enjoy.
    Sunny :)

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  4. Thanks for your kind offer, Grant. Only it won't work in Khartoum. I'm not sure of the postal service but wouldn't try it. The only way I can get items in here is if you know someone who knows me back here. That is how Issam brought the magazines in. Thanks again. That's a sweet thought.

    Hi Gaelyn;) my husband went to the nursery to surprise me with indoor plants when I first arrived in Augaut, but they tried to exploit him (being an expat!)so he walked out. That's him! I am frantically trying to learn pertinent phrases in Arabic because this way you avoid being taken in with prices. The roof would work well for a really dry garden of succulants and cacti! When our new workshop is complete (it's been a WIP for the past 3 years - Africa time:( ) I have been commissioned by HO to create a corporate garden. Whoo-hoo I am going to have a BALL! Meanwhile, I love gleaning tips and ideas for my garden back home and later on for our rondawel on John's land. Bless you.

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  5. That's nice that you have some magazines now to read. I always have troubles to find Books in English. With magazines it's not such a problem because I could order them through a stationary shop. Here everything is in french of course.

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  6. That' the same here in Khartoum, Gattina. The racks are filled with Arabic magazines although recentlyI saw a "Newsweek" in English displayed. I have my own reading material (novels and biographies) but can only bring a few up at a time, as they add to the luggage weight. So I finish these quickly too. It is lovely to see the American lifestyle for a change.

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  7. Hi Jo, another facet of life in the Sudan I would not have thought of! The availability of English language magazines I would have taken for granted, at least with the computer you are never bored but it is not much good to curl up in bed with!

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  8. It is nice to have some magazines to dream away some time. I love house and home magazines. I'm sure the decor will be quite different from where you live. I know what you mean about posted mail, although I am now more comfortable with sending packages to my friends in Kenya. They have been receiving my mail and my Kenyan friend said the other day,he is learning to trust the post. I always pray before I send anything :-)

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  9. Jo, Thank You for your sweet words... I was glad to help. Glad you got some great magazines!!!!!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. Happy reading. Jo if you send me your postal address, I could send you an Aussie magazine.

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  11. Doh! Just read the comment about your postal service

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  12. Diane, I would have loved an Australian magazine. Pity... Thanks for the offer though. That's very sweet of you.

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