Define "Rain Season"

I'm sure you've heard about the importance of getting aid to Darfur before the rain season starts, but just in case you haven't taken it seriously, read this account by an aid worker attempting to travel in Darfur.

On the way home we manage to cross all of the wadis - river beds that are dry except during the rainy season - bar one. The last wadi on the outskirts of Garsila has risen into a massive river. So, despite our frantic dash to leave before we got stuck, we now have to wait patiently for two hours for the waves to go down.

After sitting it out for a while, surrounded by villagers doing the same, we decide to cross on foot, scouting out a path through the waist-deep water. We enlist the aid of another truck from our base that waits on the other side and are able to connect a tow cable across the water.

With a flourish of water, mud and gusto, the first truck makes it across to the cheers of the crowd. My truck is next and debate rages between drivers as to the best path to follow. We follow that of the truck before and, after initially looking hopeful, get stuck.

The water seeps rapidly into the cabin, which fills to knee-height in the passenger seat. Cables are adjusted, trucks linked in series and the massive push power of the local crowd is put to use. Amid wailing women and roaring diesel engines, we mount a final successful bid and tear free from the mud, just as the first drops of the next rain shower begin to fall.