Week IV - Day 4

Dinner by the Nile

The South Sudan that I’ve been waiting to experience sits on the Nile River and has hip restaurants and clubs where one can order everything they would in the States. There are palm trees, mango trees, and other beautiful plants growing in the courtyards. A stage for a live band to play and the latest Ethiopian jazz music and America's Top 40 pouring out of the surrounding speakers. This was the South Sudan that I’d seen pictures of on various hotel websites I’d browsed.

When we arrived at the restaurant (I was too excited to get the name), dusk was just beginning to settle. The bats were flying in and out of the nearby palm tree and the Nile could be seen and heard flowing just beneath where we stood. Michael and I simultaneously held on to the railings and watched the Nile meander on by giving a sense of peace to the atmosphere. In the distance, on the other side, we could see the papyrus and elephant grass shimmer in the breeze. In my mind, we had arrived in Eden.

We sat with an old friend of Michael's, Bol Ring. I’d first met Bol in 2005 when he’d come to America to learn and take his new found knowledge back to what would become the youngest country on the planet, South Sudan. In 2007, we met Bol Ring again during our family pilgrimage to Khartoum, Sudan. He was very gracious and opened his home to us and made sure that we were comfortable during our stay in the big city.

It was good to catch up with Bol and learn more about where his sons were and how family were doing. Bol asked us questions regarding our visit/stay in Juba and listened intently. He also offered some sound advice which we received with gratitude. 

For dinner, I ordered curry shrimp and a glass of red wine - dry. I've learned that grape variety is not important here rather the actual taste: sweet or dry. When the food came, I was a bit disappointed by the amount of salt used as was Michael with his dish. However, the overall flavor of the meal combined with the taste of the wine was suitable enough.

I'm definitely looking forward to going back and spending more time. There are quite a few restaurants as well as boat tour we can take so, when I do go back, I will update you.