Insects are not the most welcomed guests here in Khartoum. Their ability to transfer diseases like Malaria is one of the reasons why people rather see them go than come. The local government seems to take their fight against insects very seriously. Once every few months a team of 'sprayers' go around the area to kill all unwanted creatures. I had seen them before, when they sprayed the garden of the former office. Last week though, was the first time for me to see them working indoors; the special team sprayed the whole office on the ground floor of our building. But we soon found out, that the 'smoke' that they were producing, didn't just stay in the office. A thick cloud went up in the hall way and seemed to stay there, with the result that from our small apartment, it was impossible to move anywhere. For quite a while we were stuck on the top floor, with no intention to get lost in the large chemical cloud. After some time the mist of the spray had vanished and the coast finally seemed to be clear to leave the house. And believe it or not,..while we went out, covering our nose and mouth, we saw something unexpected: one fierce mosquito came flying out of the office like nothing had ever happened! I am not sure if I just imagined it, but he even seemed to be smiling...
