It was more challenging today because I was brought back to reality as I ventured into the South Sudanese bush country of Eastern Equatoria State to see my old friend King Visali. This time around The King was showing gray stubs in his beard. But hey, who’s isn’t? After making my way some 25 miles from Torit (which took a full hour over a road that has never seen better days) I was again surrounded by old friends.

I was still unable to convince them this time around that I am not the great, great grandson of Sir Samuel White Baker, but maybe their believing something that is so obviously not true makes their day a bit more bearable. To greet me there was my friend Solomon, who came early to the Hotel Torit (having heard through the grapevine that I was intow). Also there was my friend Felix that has been promoted in the last year from Communications Director for Eastern Equatoria State to the Assistant to the Governor.

Later, when presenting King Visali and the village of Tarrangolle the trail marker for The Sir Samuel and Lady Florence Baker Historical Trail, The King told me that from this day forward the marker would be considered to be an “artifact for the youth to learn more about the rich history of Tarrangolle”. So far, South Sudanese trail markers for Juba (Gondokoro), Ellyria, Torit and Tarrangolle have made their way to each village. This week I’m on my way to Obbo and then Nimule Before crossing into Uganda…