SanctuaryHouseBkk

I go to Sudan often as a teacher and leader of youth development programs. When I read about things like this happening there I am perplexed because it does not add up with anything I experience in Sudanese culture in the everyday. The majority of Sudanese in the Khartoum area are open-minded Sufi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Sudan) and a popular saying in the country is "if there is a family in Sudan that does not have at least one Sufi member, it is not Sudanese'. Among the Sudanese I know music and poetry are celebrated and there is no culture of punishing and forbidding. I suspect that cases like these are politically motivated cheap tricks by the government to try to rally masses around the sinking ship known as the 'Sudanese Govt and Ruling Party'. (Remember 'Mohammed the Teddy Bear of about 10 years ago). In any case, I just want to say that the Sudanese I know detest these kinds of abuses of religion and the law and please don't judge this amazing culture and its long-abused people by the actions of their (dictatorial) government.

my biking friend makes a potion of red chilies, chopped and soaked in lemon or lime juice and puts it in something that will spray it int eh dogs eyes if they get too close

yes, even the house next to me that has been cooking and selling meth for 8 years has gone quiet - thanks to the police shake-up - go team!

I was planning to go to CW tomorrow to get my retirement visa - anyone heard anything about how crazy and crowded things are out there? Things used to be quieter if you went just after lunch instead of first thing in the morning, does that hold true this week?

I would appreciate it if anyone can help me with this related question: I was told (and not by a landlord) that the size of a unit on the meter in your apartment is not the same as the size of a unit in your electric bill and that is why landlords charge more. Any truth to that one?