Dear Abdel en Nubian friends, In this way I want to express my gratitude to you and your family, friends and staff. I found your culture to be open minded, friendly, hospital and warm. As soon as I arrived at Betel Kerem I felt home. Mohammed (forgive me if I misspelled the names) received me with a warm welcome and a beautiful smile. My room was always clean and taken care of by him and I was amazed by how he took care of all the rooms by himself. The guesthouse was an oasis in a desert of tourism, where I spent many hours on the roof terrace just to enjoy the company of the staff and the amazing Nile. Every morning I could not wait to go out of bed just to enjoy the view and the delicious breakfast. Just being here could be enough for a perfect holiday.
I was astonished by the beauty of your culture and the way everything is organized. No hierarchy or police, everybody equal like one family. Shared land, water, taxies, friendship and tea. Many times Mohammed Sahid transported me with his taxi to the different Nubian villages. Special thanks to Ramdan who showed me so much of your rich culture and friendship by showing me different aspects of your community. We spent many hours in both desert and villages to enjoy the company of friends a family over a cup of tea (with one sugar). He introduced me to many people and I felt immediately connected to them. After a few days people started to recognize me and invited me just to make a conversation. From that moment on I didn’t feel like a tourist anymore just because I was not treated as one. Every day after finishing my program I found him and his friends next to the ferry. There was always someone who invited me for tea. We would be sitting there for hours until sunset, watching the villagers using the ferry. I loved being on the Nile even just by using this ferry. The view on the Nile, the smell of the water and desert and of course Mhuudy the loyal and friendly boatman. I want to thank Ali and Achmed for showing me these beautiful places along the Nile. The tours opened my heart. Being on the Nile with them I like most. Everything they did from maneuvering the boat up to preparing tea or lunch, they did it with focus and passion. Ali has so much joy and love within his heart which makes a tourist feel like a king.
Being in Mohammed’s place at the 1st Interact was an event never to forget. What a wonderful and special place always visited by special people. I enjoyed the conversations I had there about Islam and life and especially Sudan. I want to express my gratitude to Mohammed for making this possible by opening his house to me. He is the driving force behind the organization of the guesthouse and inspires the staff to do their best. I want to thank Tarik for arranging many of my trips. Everything he arranged was on time and according to plan. I still miss his beautiful voice and songs of Menir. Every evening I found him waiting for me in the guesthouse just to check I f I was happy. Every day after a program I found Chef Mahmud in the guesthouse preparing a delicious mail. Nothing is more fulfilling than having a great meal after a day in the desert or on the Nile. I love to watch him cutting the vegetables and using the stove. There is so much pride and passion in the way he makes a meal. Last but not least there is Mahmud the dishwasher. He is always working very hard and smiling. You can imagine that tourists feel great when they witness people enjoying their work. We did not speak that much because I guess he is the one that het the least contact with tourists.
End of this year I will try to visit you again as part of a journey to Sudan where I hope to travel around for about four weeks. Insha\'Allah Love and peace from Holland!
Peter van der Giessen