Kind Reflections

February 2, 2014

Phew another month gone. Where did it go? Well for starters lots of time spent on the bus going to and from Addis. I’m sure getting good and 9 hour bus rides, and for the most part enjoy them. Sometimes I meet the nicest people. This last time I met an older lady who reminded me of Whoopie Goldburg and Alice Walker because of her grey hair and kind eyes. She is a school teacher in Addis who lives alone and is named Kabenish. (Side thought- have I ever mentioned how difficult some of the names are here? At least I’m starting to recognize some of them like Tesfaye, Siefeden, Karkidan, and Mestaowit). Anyway she gave me her phone number and said the next time I am in Addis I am invited to stay with her at her home. So kind.

Another kind Ethiopian I am starting to work with is nicknamed “Dr.” because he is a veterinarian, thank goodness because his real name Endalkachew is a mouthful! Today was one of those rare wonderful days where I feel really excited for a potential project. We took a gari (hose drawn cart) out to one of my favorite places in Goba- the Teklehaymanot Monastery where about 150 monks and nuns live tucked into the forest and streams. I’m starting to take the steps in building a chicken coop over a fish pond (the chicken poo helps fertilize the pond), a cool integrated system that I saw in another town. Everyone is very supportive and   eager to help work, which is great! Plus the site is beautiful, peaceful and the people so very kind. There are several caves where in the past people have lived in and prayed and even one cave where a man lived in for 7 years. It really feels good to finally be doing something.

The weather continues to be perfect, sunny with a few fluffy breezy clouds. Yesterday we had our first rain shower in over 2 months indicating the start of the “short rainy season” which will go for the next few months, until the transition into the “long rainy season”. A few weeks ago I took advantage of the low river and went exploring up the Tagona. It is such a joy to be able to get out and explore, one of my main activities for staying sane. At one beautiful little canyon spot I stopped and wrote some “Lessons from walking the river” which I will share:

-keep focused on the next step but look up often, and sometimes look back

-take time to pause, look, listen and feel frequently

-a stern looking man with a gun can have the most brilliant smile once you say hi

-shy little kids are adorable

-flowing water sooths and restores

-simply saying hi and being yourself has an influence on others, make it a positive one

-I have a very strong urge to do something to contribute, but an equally strong fear in trying

-Life is living everywhere you look- frog eggs, bird nests, lizards, bugs, cows on cliff edges…

-In nature a sense of self doesn’t matter

-Eucalyptus smell lovely

-There are many paths to choose from, all get you up stream

-Not everyone smiles, but most do

Despite the frustration of not doing much work I feel very thankful that I have so much time for reflection, reading and meditating. My latest motto has been to see this experience as a 2 year retreat, a chance I will never have again. Plus I get to see cute donkeys and beautiful kids on a daily basis. One kid that cracks me up is a little two year old that is absolutely terrified of me up close but as soon as I am walking away at a safe distance he will shout my name and say bye until I am out of site. Ah little joys.