Technically speaking, this course is an international relations course, so the main focus of the course is on more political issues. Despite this technicality, I hope that we can learn a little about the culture and society of the region. To that end, I came across some intriguing blog posts about life in Ethiopia and Sudan.
The genocide in Darfur may get all the international headlines about Sudan, but life in Khartoum also sounds fascinating. Like many developing world cities, wealth and poverty rub shoulders on the streets. The Sudanese Thinker gives us a tease about the house parties of Khartoum:
Some mansions in the middle of farms along the Nile were built by their
rich owners with the sole purpose of making them easily convertible
into dance clubs – they are designed with built-in sound systems wired
to speakers and subwoofers in all rooms, including the bathroom.
Wherever you go, the DJ’s choice of hip-hop and trance music goes with
you. The alcohol flows freely. Sometimes cocaine, marijuana, heroin and
ecstasy “flow” along too. Many girls arrive at the scene covered up
from head to toe, except for the hands and face. Once inside, they take
off their long garments to reveal the scant stylish outfits underneath
them. Outside, private security stands on guard to make sure the
religious police don’t come. If they do show up, they’re simply bribed
away.
Addis Ababa (often called Addis) is the capital of Ethiopia. On his Ferenge Addis Blog, Marc Luoma describes his experiences as a white guy in Ethiopia. He describes everything from the life of single people in Addis to the drive-thru coffee shops to the closing of the local Mexican place. His posts are a nice insight into life in Addis.
Technorati Tags: khartoum, sudan, addis, ethiopia, horn-of-africa, life
