Day 79, 2011/07/19 Khartoum

Day 79,  2011/07/19 Khartoum

After the previous days disappointment at the depart of Alien Affairs, we have decided to make sure we are there first thing. Also, Dave wants to go past the SA embassy and also have car checked out so, we decide to go by car instead. Nothing like air-conditioning after another kak night's sleep! It was even hotter than the previous evening and what made it even worse was the fact that there was absolutely no wind what so ever! It got so bad that I eventually ended up sleeping out in the open with my sleeping mat on some concrete slab somewhere. Daveand Naomi also did not sleep terribly well either and so we decide that we will have to rethink our sleeping arrangements for the evening. Anyway, before we can do that, we need to get to Alien Affairs. The process is actually relatively quick and easy, and by 1030 am we are done. Dave recalls some lovely coffee shop he read about in the lonely planet, so we end up going there for a late breakfast. The pastries turn out to be out of this world! All those Greek and middle eastern things with nuts and honey and filopastry. Once breakfast is done, it is off to the South African embassy. Dave needs one of those really questionable letters that state precisely what his passport does, ie that he is who it say it does and, that he is a South African! Yeah, he needs it for his Syrian visa. On arrival at the embassy,we soon discover that no one will be in today. Another case of what the fuck do these people actually do besides get paid lovely salaries at our tax payers expense? Anyway,nothing we can do but return tomorrow then. I am so comfortable in Dave and Naomi's car that, I proceed to sleep most of the time. It is just such a relief to have my body temp back at manageable levels that my mind just decides that it can now eventually just turn itself off, and I eventually manage to catch up on a couple of nights bad sleep. 
On returning to the campsite, Dave proceeds to service his car, while I decide to run some necessary repairs to my bike. Dave has never serviced a car in his life before however, he does a very good job for a beginner. Trust me servicing a car/bike in 40 degree heat is not fun, but it ain't like we had any other options. 
Naomi on the other hand has this brilliant idea of erecting a make shift sleeping area on the grass using a sheet of taupolin and our mozie nets. Been closer to the water and less sheltered, we hope it will offer a cooler nights rest.