Sisters...

Two sisters, Miriam (left) and Khartoum with two baby sisters

While we were away on leave in South Africa, Miriam, my house-lady here in Khartoum, took care of Shadow, the cat and the five budgies. They have never been so well looked after and were happy, healthy and confident when we returned. 

This week Miriam brought her sister, Khartoum (yes, that's her name!) to help clean the storage area under the stairs at the bottom of our landing. Khartoum brought her two little girls, whom I took over to the shops. We bought a colouring book and crayons for the older one and a sucker-sweet (lollypop). Shadow shared his toys (not at all graciously, I might add) with the baby, while she had to be happy with her bottle of milk as a treat.  While the two older sisters worked side-by-side, the two baby sisters spent the whole day playing on a blanket in the air-conditioned guest room. They are the best-behaved children we know here in the Sudan!

The Arabic word for sister is oo-good.

(Note" the "g" in the word is pronounced as if clearing your throat and exhaling similtaneously. Try it, it's fun!)

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