Night had arrived and the sun was quickly falling behind the horizon and only an orange glow remained in the sky. Vast and endless sand extend off into no where as we speed back towards the city, the chaotic convergence of humans, metal vehicles and concrete buildings. As we approach a small village, a few glowing lights punctuating the growing darkness, the driver say he needs to pull over and go pray. A small mosque is promptly facing east, it's simple white minaret and loud speaker washed in a fluorescent light. The faithful are diligently washing their feet before entering the mosque to say evening prayers. Next door is a small outdoor restaurant or eating area flanked by a fridge with a glass door revealing a few soft drinks. Pete and I get out of the vehicle with the driver and stand in the evening air which had dropped in temperature significantly since the sun disappeared was cooled by a steady breeze.

He cupped his hands around the end of a cigarette and flicked the wheel of the lighter with his thumb. A small flickering flame was produced and a glow ignited. The fresh evening air whisked away a cloud of smoke as the sky continued to fade to black. The moon, with a thick surrounding haze, shown above casting down a pale light. A car pulled up behind our land-cruiser and three men in white flowing robes and skull cap get out and walk towards the mosque. Another cloud of smoke swirls towards the moon and the peaceful and quiet night surrounds us. The loud speaker is not blaring the prayer, unlike the one across the street from where I'm staying. The driver finally returns and we load up and continue onward. This completes the long drive to the Meroe Pyramid site and new dam that will be producing hydro-power for the city.