09/10 /2001
  Meki - Ethiopia
  08°10 N   38°50 E
  + 273

Saturday morning, we turn our electronic cock clock off and sleep quite late. Breakfast at noon, then a quiet afternoon. Some have a rest, others write on their diary, correct the students' tests, or go for a philosophical walk towards the mountains. In the evening, we go to bed quite early, tomorrow will be a long day out.

Sunday morning, we are rady from 8 am to take the road that leads to Kenya. Thumbs up, we wait for someone to stop. But it's only when the girls do it that a big white truck stops in front of us. We get in the trailer, avoiding to fall down when the engine speeds up.

One hour later, we're in Zway. We thank the driver, who asks us some money for the ride. Then, we arrive in the Salesiani Mission. Theo meets two priests he had met ten years ago, during his first humanitarian mission in Africa. Then, he silently goes to pray on Don Elio's tomb, one of the mission's foundators, deceased three years ago.

Outside, we explore the sunday's market. We walk in the mud, followed by thousands of flies. Some tribes come from very far, 6 hours of walk. They come here to sell their cattle (cows, sheep, horses, chicken,...), vegetables and handicrafts. Theo buys a few pairs of shoes, made with car tyres, Sophie some coloured tissues.

We have lunch in a little restaurant, then rent bicycles to go to the Zway lake. There it's possible to rent a boat. All of us get in except Theo and Sophie... Is there anything between them ? The lake is infested with hippopotamus, a fisherman says that one month ago, a boat was destroyed by one of them. To know more, just click on the picture and watch the VIDEO.

Monday, we have two news:

1. Celine and Sophie have started the conversation class for the Mission's sisters. 2. The boys, with the pupils, have organised a soccer tournament, that will last all week long. Nicolas is part of the Monkeys, Theo plays with the Zebras, courageous Aurelie is with the charismatic Frnack with the Tigers and Greg plays with the Lions.

Tonight's results : Monkeys-Zebras : 4-3 Tigers-Lions : 1-2

 

On the bus that takes us to Meki, an incredible thing happens.

As soon as we're gone, a young boy walks between the people and takes the fare money. The passengers who got in at Zway have to pay 1 Birr. Suddenly, a woman begins to scream and cries. Someone stole her money.

The bus stops suddenly and the driver speaks with his young assistant. Back on the road, the boy takes a newspaper and folds it up like a container.

 As the woman is still crying, the boy takes up the collection from the passengers. Spontaneously, everybody gives something, everybody gives something.

When he arrives at the end of the bus, the newspaper is full of coins and notes.

Without looking how much there is, he delicately puts it down on the young lady's trembling knees. There are about 18 Birr.

For the rest of the trip, we keep on thinking: would something like this happen in Occident ?

And you, what do you think about this ?

 

Céline has just taken some time for reflexion. At the dinner, she says : 

When you're in peace with yourself, you're in peace with the others, and that makes you dream... without nostalgia.

 

Today, here's our first lesson of Amharic :

I -  Inné

You  -  ante

He  -  Issu

She  -  Isswa

We  -  Igna

You (pl.) -  Innante

They -  Innessu

Yes -  Ischi

No  -  Yellem

Hi ! -  Téna yistlling

Hello !  -  Indemn adderk

Good afternoon !  -  Indemn walk

Good night  -  Dehna idder

Bye Bye  -  Dehna hun

How are you ?  -  Indemineh?

Very well  -  Bettam dehna

Thank you  -  Ammesegnallehu

Follow the lessons, exam Wednesday in Chat (8h30 pm) !

 

Tonight, it's New Years Eve on the Ethiopian calendar. We'll go from 1993 to 1994 !... Back to the future ! It's time to send the Journal... Let's go !

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