Getting to Know the Neighbors

The cockroach community has been extremely welcoming to me since I’ve returned to Sudan. They often set aside time for cozy meetings with me in the latrine in the evenings. Some nights, they have sent delegations of 8 or more from their community, just to make me feel loved and welcome. One little friend, I can’t quite remember his name- certain sounds in their dialect being so difficult for me to repeat, has gotten very friendly, even coming to visit me in my room.

I hate to be rude, but most nights when he has come, I’ve already zipped myself up in my mosquito netting and am too tired to get out to visit with him. He is a very determined little fellow, though. He must have stayed through the night to see me this morning. I found him sleeping in my shoe when I began to step into it. Fortunately, he moved quickly enough that I didn’t hurt my guest. That would have been a tragic way to begin the morning.