Khartoum Sand Storm

Just to make sure everyone knows I really am in Sudan and not the Alps. I am in Khartoum now, getting ready to return to Canada in about a week.


All day yesterday was a small sand storm that covered the city. It was a lot like a snow storm, reducing visibility to about 50 meters.

By the end of the day, there was sand absolutely everywhere, inside our house, inside the vehicles, our clothes, and bodies.


This was the view from the roof of Canada House at 0900 am - and yes, that is the sun.

Okay, so this is not Sudan!

The ski hills were dotted with little Refuges, places to stop, get warmed up

And of course, enjoy an Austrian Beverage or two and some Après Ski!

10 Days Leave! - Skiing in Innsbruck, Austria

March 5th, I met up with Dave Coupland for a quick visit to Austria and skiing in the Alps. We stayed in the town of Innsbruck, and skied at a resort called Axamer Lizum, where some of the '76 Winter Olympics were held. Incredible!

The resort was great, small infrastructure, and breathtaking views. Tons of snow, unlike it seems, in Canada this year! Yes, after 40 degrees plus each day, both Dave and I agreed we missed the white stuff.












The town was pretty cool too.

Before boarding my flight to Khartoum, I dropped off the last of my kit with Cargo Movement to be shipped separately. This is Stephen, who works in Cargo and takes good care of us Canadians.

Always ready with a few Canada pins to hand out as a thank you, Stephen immediately took his and found an appropriate place to wear it!

(look closely and you will note the ritual tribal scars on Stephen's forehead - a mark of a Dinka adult man)
and yes, ALL my cargo arrived in Khartoum 2 days later!

Leaving the Team Site

On March 4 I departed Team Site MELUT.








This is the end of my assignment here in the south. One last patrol to MALAKAL our Sector HQ, to catch a flight back to Khartoum.

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Toys and Clothes

The children liked the toys especially I think, real luxuries for them.












Everyone seemed to want something, although it was hard, because there was so many more children than clothes to give away......










A smile, even with front teath missing, to melt anyone's heart.
This little girl was very friendly, but her little sister really wasn't sure what to make of me!

Everything we do here, we hope, shows the people a little, that they do not have to alway fear soldiers......