All is well

November 23rd, 2009 by Sami Buisson-Daniel

11/23/09

A good weekend

My weekend was spent in the big City of Addis where we once again rented a room (this time one between Femke and myself at 250 birr per night (12 birr to a US dollar). We stayed only Saturday night where Erin and Kevin stayed both Friday and Saturday nights.

Saturday we rode with Dr. Famhi (an Ethiopian Doctor that is currently unemployed) to his sister’s house in the suburbs. It was nice to get out of the City and to see some of the suburbs (even thought we live in a suburb called Asco (sometimes spelled Asko). She is five days from delivering her third child yet she cooked for us a wonderful lunch and even sat with us.

Dinner Saturday night was delicious too. We ate at the “Rodeo Restaurant” in Bole. I had BBQ fish that I am still savoring the taste of and a salad that had real lettuce instead of cabbage. The cost for the dinner was 100 birr.

Afterwards we took a taxi (with four people crammed in the back and the queen here in the front with the driver) to a jazz club where there was live music. The cost to get in was 20 birr.

I like staying in that hotel because my room is on the first floor and I have only to walk outside to sit in the sun on the big driveway. I get up earlier then the other volunteers so they find me there reading a book or simply watching the people come and go. I think this hotel also caters to the night life people cause the gals are all wearing pretty much the same kind of clothing (short dresses that almost cover you know what with very low cut tops that reveal almost everything and of course the very high heel shoes.) I must admit they all look sexy in the clothes. I find Ethiopians as a group very beautiful and handsome. The lot of them is tall and slender.

We blew pretty much of Sunday at the “Churchill View Restaurant”. Unfortunately we don’t go there for the food cause it’s not worth writing about but the view is great. Since it’s on a hill and the tables/chairs are sitting in the grass on a slope, you get to see a lot of Addis Ababa.

The kids here are learning quickly. They’re really smart and apply themselves. While some are quicker to pick up on the English most of them make can repeat what we’ve taught them. I’m personally working on them learning their names, how to spell it and how to recognize it. When they do, that child will get a lollypop that I’ve purchased for the occasion. They know this so I believe it will inspire them to learn it quickly.

We’ve finally gotten the Internet working on the computer that has now been put in our meeting room. We buy time (like it’s done with cell phones). It’s very slow and also the mouse doesn’t work but hopefully the new volunteer will bring one. She arrives December 4th while we have two volunteers leaving at the end of this month leaving only Femke and myself here.

While I’m enjoying my time there I am concerned that my grandson Kelvin heals quickly from the “hit and run” accident that occurred last Wednesday in Lowell, MA. He was crossing the street when a young girl of 17 years hit him and continued to go to her hair appointment where it was reported (in the newspaper) that she was very calm the entire time she was there. My daughter Aletha sent me an email telling me about the accident. It’s not easy with the time difference to get to people in the states but I finally managed to speak with my daughter Dao about her son. He’s now out of ICU. He’s already had one operation to remove metal/plastic from his leg and on Tuesday (11/24) he will undergo another surgery for his jaw and eye. These are the things that are difficult to handle cause I’m here and I can’t be with my daughter and grandson while they’re going through this. I was preparing myself to fly home if I was truly needed. I don’t think that’s the case now but it things change I may have to fly home early. At times like this I’m glad I do have GVN Travel insurance. Last year I had to use it to return for my son’s operation. If any volunteer is reading this, please note good insurance is necessary just for that occasion that you think will not happen to you or your family. I was sure glad I had it last year!

Over the weekend one of our little girls had to have her head shaved because of sores she was developing on her head. She is now sporting a new blue neck scarf around her head that I threw in at the last moment (just in case) and it has come in handy. I think she was embarrassed to have her head shaven when all the other girls have bushy hair. They’re so cute. Once a week I see them helping each other plait their hair. These kids work together as a team. One helps the other. By the time the year is up they will truly feel like brothers and sisters.

I send my love to all my friends and family. Have a nice holiday this week. I wish I were there with you but at the same time I’m happy to be here.