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Reflections on a land far away
By sandi | December 3, 2009
This time last year I was in Ethiopia. It is a place similar to our own, but it is different. Things run on their own schedule in Ethiopia and I am not sure that you can ever really be late to anything. Here we are frazzled going from one place to the next in order to get everything we need done. There were so many things that I loved about Ethiopia and it’s people.
I loved the fact that the people held hands. You would see two grown men holding hands walking down a street or children holding hands as they walked home from wherever they were. They felt no shame in holding onto one another and announcing that they were friends. In America we can’t understand that, we think that if two adult men are holding hands that they are gay, our social norms don’t tell us they are just friends. I enjoyed seeing people holding hands as they walked. It gave a certain closeness that you just don’t see a lot of in America.
I loved how attentive people were to one another. They didn’t have their cell phones out during conversations and weren’t texting or checking email (or any other form of multimedia multi-tasking) they took that moment to be with that person. I miss that. I personally need to strive to do this more.
I loved how doting the older children were with the younger ones. Not just in the transition home or orphanage but on the streets. I saw them scooping up younger children and caring for them. American children are so much more self-oriented that they don’t even think to do this. I see my own children, who are compassionate, just saying sorry when they hurt each other and not caring more deeply. (Please don’t read that my children don’t care it is just they are busy. Watch American children and you will see what I mean, though you may not because you have no other frame of reference.) As Americans we teach them by our actions to be self interested, it is just the way it is.
It has been a year since I have been there and still I feel like I am completely processing the entire journey. I think I will be for a very long time. \
Topics: Mom's Soap Box | 4 Comments »
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
so true. Over two years here. It will be a very long time!
The holding hands and expressions of love along with the slower pace are also all things that I miss. The comfort with holding hands really was moving.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Wonderful description. I too loved the hand-holding and kiss greating. Every morning our front-desk guy at the guest house, as well as our facilitator and chef would great us hello by kissing. its so wonderful to see the spirit of a people who are so poverty stricken not be defeated, but strengthen.
December 4th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I will hold your hand all evening!!! HAHAHA. I have no frame of reference but I could understand how that can seem from the beautiful way that you always describe this wonderful place that gave you your last soul mate for life. It is a mystery for me- but I get small glimpses into this world and I do appreciate this opportunity!!!
December 4th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I absolutely loved the pace of life in Ethiopia! Also the attentiveness was amazing, Matt and I can be so bad about this at night, I am really trying to work on not pulling out the laptop and just spending time with him.