In between

I was writing an email to a friend ages ago updating him a bit on my thoughts and then realised this should actually also be in my blog. Sadly enough I didn’t get it posted and then forgot all about it until now.
19/01
I’ve been so occupied by this case that I’ve omitted sometimes my reflections on life here. Here’s what I wrote:
I really appreciate certain things more now, a washing machine for example. You know this horrible task is mostly done by hand here. It’s actually cheaper for me to hire someone to do it then to buy a machine. Having a servant that comes to my place to do it once a week is also extremely strange. I pay her well in Ethiopian standards but she only gets 5 euro per month!!!!
There’s also our selection of vegetables ( here very limited) and actually just supermarkets. You have no idea just how cool those are. Going to Lidl you know you’ll get a good deal and you can find almost everything you need there. Here supermarkets are for white people and thus more expensive than the small souxs. Yet the souxs can also rip you off easily and it’s hard to find one who sells everything you need.
Since I moved I haven’t bought a fridge not to mention the lack of an oven since I arrived to Ethiopia and I feel I never appreciated these fully until now. ( I’ll buy a fridge as soon as I have the job at the British school confirmed but don’t want to just now.)
And then there’s the almost complete absence of affordable cheese…. I’d die for Brie right now =)
I didn’t tell you guys either that Holger brought me Belgian waffles and chocolate from Belgium after Christmas to give me courage. How sweet is that?!?
In other words no matter how desperate I get from time to time this place and the people I’ve gotten to know here are still worth while.

No news on my case, today everything was closed due to the celebration of the 3 wise men
( Balthazar is believed to be from here by the way)

I was writing an email to a friend updating him a bit on my thoughts and then realised this should actually also be in my blog. I’ve been so occupied by this case that I’ve omitted sometimes my reflections on life here. Here’s what I wrote:
I really appreciate certain things more now, a washing machine for example. You know this horrible task is mostly done by hand here. It’s actually cheaper for me to hire someone to do it then to buy a machine. Having a servant that comes to my place to do it once a week is also extremely strange. I pay her well in Ethiopian standards but she only gets 5 euro per month!!!!
There’s also our selection of vegetables ( here very limited) and actually just supermarkets. You have no idea just how cool those are. Going to Lidl you know you’ll get a good deal and you can find almost everything you need there. Here supermarkets are for white people and thus more expensive than the small souxs. Yet the souxs can also rip you off easily and it’s hard to find one who sells everything you need.
Since I moved I haven’t bought a fridge not to mention the lack of an oven since I arrived to Ethiopia and I feel I never appreciated these fully until now. ( I’ll buy a fridge as soon as I have the job at the British school confirmed but don’t want to just now.)
And then there’s the almost complete absence of affordable cheese…. I’d die for Brie right now =)
I didn’t tell you guys either that Holger brought me waffles and chocolate from Belgium after Christmas to give me courage. How sweet is that?!?
In other words no matter how desperate I get from time to time this place and the people I’ve gotten to know here are still worth while.

As for my case no news, today everything was closed due to the celebration of the 3 wise men ( Balthazar is believed to be from here by the way)

The nghtmare continues...

Last time I didn’t mention the moment I was sitting on the bus and the phone from the school came saying they wanted to offer me the job. I didn’t mention this ‘cause I was too afraid to be happy. No matter how hard I tried I did feel absolutely thrilled. This was the kind of job I’d been aspiring shortly after starting to teach English. A decent contract in an international school where you enjoy the freedom to work as we do in Belgium or any other western country. It seems my fear was with good reason because when I turned up at the meeting that was scheduled on Monday I was introduced to the person in charge of the paperwork. After hearing my story he asked me to come back on Tuesday to discuss the options. There and then he told me he didn’t think they would be able to hire me on time. I’d have to go to Belgium, finance that myself, and get clearance beforehand… It’ll take a lot of time and money and this dreamjob of mine is supposed to start at the beginning of February. I first went to HRC crying my eyes out and they pointed to the embassy to help me this time, they say they should call the minister of foreign affairs.…
It was another blow to the head, one that’s got me crying in this stupid mall while I was waiting for an appointment with some guy whose phone number I got from my Amharic teacher saying that he could solve paper problems. I was totally desperate: it seemed as if nothing was going to happen just like nothing _but prolonged suffering for me_ had been happening. I felt absolutely beat and hopeless.
I got Holger on the phone and was weeping when the guy who had legal advisor on top of his door finally showed up to his office, only 45 min later than he had said he would. That’s the state he found me in yet after explaining my case Dr. Getatchu ( Dr G.) started phoning influential friends so they could hear what happened to me. He even invited me out to dinner with them and one gave me his phone number?!? ( yes I also thought this was totally weird. On top of everything Dr G. seems to know many people in the school I’m currently ‘volunteering’ in which was also awkward ‘cause I haven’t told anybody there that I may be leaving soon seeing as nothing is sure until now. ). Anyway I agreed skip working with Aaron the next day to meet him ‘cause we had a lot to do. After a long wait including joining him to another case he had to solve we went to immigration and spoke to some people there. We ended up at the same desk I had been several times before only now the guy was nice and told me he knew that no foreigners were treated worse then the ones at GYA but that when he had tried to do something about it his job was jeopardised and so he did nothing anymore. So the contacts GYA bragged about having were real enough it seems. Afterwards I had an appointment with the embassy ( who wrote to the minister of foreign affairs asking to intervene which is very exceptional to do this for an individual and not a diplomat) but by the time they were finished Dr G. was busy with something else and I was told to come to his office as soon as possible the next day. I rushed away from Aaron and called Dr G. asking if I should meet him somewhere only to be told to await him at the embassy who was trying to schedule an appointment with the head of National Intelligence and security, they didn’t manage and after a long wait we decided to go down there and take our chances but by then Dr G. was in court so someone from the embassy accompanied me there only to be turned away by the secretary. I felt drained and cried my eyes out ( I figured all was lost again and didn’t even go to my first level 2 Amharic lesson) until Dr G called and told me what he wanted to do with me the next day. So I rushed away from school again on Friday only to wait in his office for 2hours and 45 minutes before we returned to the same secretary with a written report of my story which got us through the first door to be able to get the phone number to make an appointment on Monday at the second door… Grrr That’s the only thing that happened which is so frustrating. Dr G. did however talk to the people of the dream job and was very self-assured about solving my case before next Wednesday so they sort of not gave up on me just yet, which was super. I just hope he can make it all come true, he says a lot and things do seem to be happening but we haven’t really done that much but postponing to the next day so I hope we’ll be able to really do some of those things on Monday (= tomorrow) seeing as Tuesday is a holiday here…
Sweet Holger brought me extra Belgian candy which he had taken from his visit after he heard what happened. I met him at a concert on Friday which turned out to be horrible but we did schedule then to have lunch on Sunday and play games: yes the addiction that was born in Bilbao has continued. I played settlers of Catan ( not really my cup of tea) and a hilarious homemade version of ‘time’s up’. Lunch was my new speciality: stew and my first goat meat version which was really tasty.
On Saturday evening I went with the friend of my Canadian friend and some teachers from the school I didn’t know very well for some scrumptious Chinese so it’s fair to say I did have a good weekend with no time for emailing so sorry to those awaiting reply…

The Ethiopian Christmas Santa brought my long desired silver lining!

It seemed you did cross your fingers. The interview went well and I noticed they were interested so afterwards I went to the HRC and told them I really wanted this job and that the GYA- situation may be in the way of getting it. Mahlet was not there ( hence I know nothing about the investigation) but I crossed the big boss in the corridor. He invited me in his office and asked how I was doing. After explaining he gave me his personal mobile phone number and told me he’d help me to be allowed to be hired and that I could give his number to the school. So I did and then after a wonderful dinner with Mohammed ( Holgers flatmate who went from a house that was too full to an almost empty one ‘cause Holger spent his holidays in Belgium) I took off on my trip seeing as I had asked Aaron’s dad for a week holiday.

Thanks to Mohammed, who was born in Bahir Dar, we got the number of a minibus service that picks you up at home and brings you there. Sadly enough arrangements had already been made for me to sleep at Mika’s grandmother, where he lives, seeing as that place was better connected to the main bus station than my new nest. We slept in his hut in a central neighbourhood of Addis on a mattress that you would almost mistake for a blanket. ( The bathroom is a hole in the ground much like the French ones near the highway and shower = bucket). I’m not frowning, it’s actually part of the experience of being here: seeing how real people live. Shortly after falling asleep, we watched a movie on his laptop so we would go to bed late and be able to sleep in the bus, we were awoken by the call that told us they’d pick us up in 30 minutes.

29/12

Exhausted and comfortable in the best seats of the bus ( we were the 2^nd they picked up) I slept for most of the 12-hour-way. Upon arrival we were bombarded with enthusiasts to relieve us from some money but Jordi, Mika’s best friend and a couch surfer ( CS-er) like us, sent her friend to haggle with a tuk tuk for us that took us to her place. Tuk tuk or badjadge are these hilarious mini taxis with 3 rather small wheels. We were welcomed by her family with a coffee ceremony ( I actually tried some to be polite) in Jordi’s wine bar. She makes mango- and date-wine and so. Really nice simple people.

After talking for a while some French girls in need of a place to sleep contacted her so we went to pick them up and then enjoyed delicious pasta in a no-nonsense bar near lake Tana. Jordi seems to host loads of people (all voluntarily), she’s undoubtedly the most charming guide of Bahir Dar and clearly knows where to take her guests.

30/12

After a rather cold night ( we had only brought one blanket and the French were using Jordi’s) and the purchase of a 120 birr camera+ film we set out to see the famous Blue Nile falls that are depicted on the one birr note in all their splendour. The ‘Bradt’ travel guide already mentioned there weren’t all that anymore after the constructing of a hydraulic power plant nearby. What was left is rather insignificant, especially after enjoying the falls in Yosemite this summer, but still it’s set in a nice environment and makes for a relaxing walk. When we were there a bunch of people arrived and it turned out to be the Egyptian prime minister and company including loads of press and security soldiers. It seems Egypt had been getting less water since the infamous construction and came to check out the situation. Later we were told that the falls were bigger that afternoon due to the visit and that they are normally reduced to dribble. All busses that went back to town were stuffed, the soldiers didn’t let some through somehow and my attempt to hitchhike wasn’t appreciated so we waited in the burning sun for ages to squeeze in the 3^rd bus that arrived and then still had to stand on this 45-minutes dirt-road-trip. I started feeling nauseous after 20 minutes and lost consciousness which conveniently got me a seat until the tire exploded shortly after. My 2^nd hitchhike attempt got us to the city centre 10 minutes later.

We wanted to cook for Jordi and her family ( all 8 of them excl. us 2) to thank them for their hospitality so set out to make a vegan meal. They are Ethiopian Orthodox so they fast ( no animal products whatsoever) up to Ethiopian Christmas. Cooking for 11 people ( a new Russian CS-er arrived) on a small charcoal fire is definitely another of those ‘real people’ experiences. It took us forever.

31/12

The early bird catches the worm and we caught a little boat with some other tourists to see some of the breathtaking monasteries built on the islands of lake Tana and the source of the Blue Nile. What was supposed to be finished at 13:00 the latest lasted to 16:00 because all people in the boat insisted seeing everything we were promised upon booking the trip.

Really amazing: seeing as people are often illiterate the Bible is depicted on the walls of these hut-like monasteries in a very colourful manner. One of the islands didn’t allow women whilst another one was run by them. We passed people from the islands travelling in actual papyrus boats which still resemble the ones used in ancient Egypt and saw real pelicans. I couldn’t have wished for a better day to end my year. We went out for dinner: the Russian guy, Jordi, Mika and me where I experienced the Ethiopian version of potato croquettes ( not recommendable) and then went to a traditional improvisation on music bar. Obviously we were sung about in a language we didn’t understand and picked out to dance. I was getting in to it and was actually pasted a birr on my forehead by one of the customers ( this is how you show the dancers you like what they’re doing) which was pretty funny. Countdown took place in a faranji bar ( for Ethiopians new year is in September) which had even provided tiny fireworks for the occasion. It was really nice.

1/1

After breakfast we said our goodbyes and set course for our short pit stop in the village of Auwramba before heading to Gondor. Auwramba is said to be extraordinary for it atheism and equality of sexes besides they produce textile according to ‘Bradt’. Sounds like my cup of tea, doesn’t it? Sadly enough Auwramba was none of the above only an exhausting and time consuming detour which involved me carrying my suitcase for over 40 minutes on a rocky path… There was not even a single textile shop! Annoyed and disappointed we made it to Gondor just in time to enjoy the castles there for 1 hour before they closed. The castles were really pretty and the ‘Bradt’ guide provided a interesting inside in the history of the Amhara Kings. The evening was spent with a delicious dinner ( we actually ordered 3 portions between the 2 of us which won’t come as a surprise to some of you) including a spice minced meat sauce and goat yoghurt. We spent a short night in an inexpensive and also pretty disgusting hotel.

2/1

Yes short night because at 5 am we were at the bus station to catch a bus up to Axum. A bumpy and dusty 15 hours ride with hardly any entertaining breaks ( only breaks to pick up people or put new air in the tires…) but luckily with breathtaking views of the Semin mountains and along an Italian constructed red dusty road where a friend of Mika found his death in a traffic accident. Exhausted and proud that when 6 people around me started puking I was able to not do so I arrived in the Tigray capital at 21:00. It’s amazing how the people who live along this road or should I say path, live following the sun’s rhythm and change hairdo’s and behaviour according to their inheritance.

The last part of the ride, in a 2^nd bus, was plagued by drunk people in uniform but I was warned by the people of the previous bus and Mika told me to duck on time when they more or less started fighting before being thrown out… ( another one of those ‘real people’ experiences?) We took a nice hotel this time where I was immediately charged more for my food because of my skin coloured but I did enjoy the nice clean on suite bathroom with hot shower!

3/1

After a really tasty breakfast_ some strange kind of porridge that was firm with beriberi ( a spice), scrambled eggs with veggies, fresh yoghurt and as the cherry on the cake fresh ‘ sprice’ juice obviously_ we set out to see the archaeological sites dotted around the town.

My heart almost stopped beating when we realised it was Sunday and saw the tourist office where we were supposed to buy our entrance tickets was closed: we came all this way and wouldn’t see the sites? Luckily the small office leading to the stelae field was open and even allowed me ‘habisha’( opposite of Faranji = native) price when I old her I worked in Addis: 8 birr in stead of 50. Pretty impressive, some of the highlights included: a stele dated from the 3^rd century that weighs 500 ton and measures 33m still lying where it fell on top of the underground tomb with incredible masonry that you can actually access for a certain king Remhai. Furthermore a trilingual inscribed tablet ( Sabaean (pre-Amharic), Geez ( religious language using Sabaean alphabet but differently) and Greek) still lying where it was placed in the 4^th century -unmoved seeing as it says anyone who moves it will meet an untimely death! And the unexcavated leftovers of what they presume was a palace where they made a cosy outside bar with pool table. Next to the thing that looks like a bench but was actually a table used to clean corpses. All this within walking distance of the rock hewn tomb for a 6^th century king. Oh and before I forget there’s also the church (that doesn’t allow women) where the original arc of the covenant is said to be kept- I saw from afar the outside building with the curtains that cover it- but lost much of my frustration when I heard nobody is allowed to see it anyways! We forgot about lunch and then really binged for dinner. I’m actually starting to appreciate injeera more especially he meals which include a little bit of everything with meat, a bit of everything with veggies, etc. There’s also a chickpea sauce called ‘shiro’ which is pretty tasty. Our trip to the bus station ( I had to start making my way back the next day to restart work with Aaron) taught us we only had to be there at 7.

4/1

At 7:20 I wake up surprised. Ten minutes later and without brushing my teeth I was outside with all my luggage and in a tuk tuk. No need for the hurry ‘cause the bus we took to Addis only arrived at 10:20 and then still had to change tires… This when the people kept telling us it would be there any minute now and seeing as there are no numbered space you don’t leave ‘cause a bad place on the bus is hell. So without breakfast we got on but most of the places were already taken by previous stop customers and so we were stuck in the back row with 4 other people various suitcases and a puking and peeing but still rather cute baby. There was no space even to have your arms beside you and we kept slaloming on mountains without there being a decent road… We saw various deadly looking car accidents on the side of the road and thus gratefully accepted the priests gift of holy Debre Damos soil. We were under the impression we’d arrive at Dessie ( more then halfway to Addis) and then sleep there to arrive at Addis before noon the next day so you can imagine our surprise when at 16 the bus pulled over in Mekale and didn’t leave again! From there it would be hard to even make it to Addis the next day =(

Anyway Mekale is quite charming and has a nice market know for the arrivals of caravans of camels with salt where I bought a traditional ‘Ntela’ after being better at haggling then Mika.

5/1

All day on the bus, past Dessie into ‘muslim ville’ around 17:30. One street big but fortunately with a clean hotel and a place with wonderful samosas (here called sambusas), you know those Indian fried triangle shaped pastries. The vomiting ceremony repeated itself various times and I had a hard time trying not to join them. Why didn’t I take a flight from Axum to Addis? Because I’m silly and thought it would be another one of those ‘real’ experiences.

6/1

We made it to Addis and my new home at 14 after the bus driver stopped by his home in the middle of nowhere to unload his personal stuff. I had to start working at 15 but fortunately Asefow ( Aaron’s dad) cancelled the appointment because there was too much traffic on the road. It was their Christmas eve and everybody is buying and killing oxen, goats etc. Completely normal to see them struggling on the main roads these days. So a late Merry Ethiopian Christmas to you al!

Holiday Special…

First of all: Merry Christmas ( too late) and Happy New year to my dear readers!

No news whatsoever on my case. The school has been summoned (meaning the owners of the school aka die fuehrerin and her Somali husband who proves the Somali reputation right!) which probably won’t help me very much. They were supposed to be at the Human rights office last Thursday so on the 17^th. Mrs Mahlet awaited them only to find they didn’t show up. When she checked the summon it seemed this hadn’t been received ( they have to sign upon delivery) due to the fact that it hadn’t been taken there. Grrrr

The Belgian embassy has in the mean time taken more interest in my case and want to help me get correct information. It’s for them I went to the Human Rights Commision ( HRC) where I was told the previous and assured a new summon was written and this time also sent – at least I hope- telling GYA to come on the 24^th. Mrs Mahlet was embarrassed and told me to contact my embassy, which I had already done, to help me along. Though when I tried to call Mahlet’s office at 15:00 on Christmas she wasn’t there. I left a message but wasn’t really into pursuing it seeing as it was our Christmas and I had made a deal with myself not to worry about it and focus on my house.

Yes, I left Holger’s at last. I was welcomed really well there and am extremely grateful but feel one shouldn’t impose on friends, especially new friends, too long and 1 and ½ months is pushing it. ( It’s actually exactly half the time I know Holger).

So even if I don’t know about a job yet ( still can’t officially work and am helping Aaron) I started looking for a place to live. I was thrilled to find one near the central square called Mexico but when I took people there to advice me they told me the neighborhood was too bad and I shouldn’t go there. Especially Aaron’s father insisted I’d find another place. So through a broker he knew I found a place within walking distance to the school I am now in with Aaron but not really well communicated. He haggled a lot with the landlady and I got the brand new “studio” for a very reasonable price plus only had to pay for 3 months in advance.( =their way of a deposit). There’s a small living room and even smaller bedroom. A bathroom that defines as tiny and a kitchen separated by the common yard. The kitchen is actually more an empty room: there is no sink or cabinets or anything! Luckily I inherited an electric small fire from the de Lomba family ( my ex colleagues at Gibson who took off shortly after I was fired seeing as they still were able to because their residence permit hadn’t been processed yet and thus their visa unlike mine hadn’t been cancelled). To my the emptiness bearable I also lend some furniture of Mika ( the couchsurfer guy) which he had in storage. I moved in on the 23^rd. I’d post the pictures but don’t have a camera anymore after it was stolen from me. As if my bad luck wasn’t enough a mere 2 days later my extremely old but functioning mobile was lifted out of my zip locked pockets when I was drumming to get on a small bus called Kendo to get to Holger’s. I cried my eyes out. So This year my Santa wish list is quite elaborate: Phone (check), 2 mattresses which should serve as sofa ( ½ check), bamboo shelves for the kitchen on which I can place the electric fires ( ordered), all kitchen materials: pots, pans, cutlery, can openers,…( check and a whole lot poorer after), bathroom shelves ( check), and a fridge ( aouwch!). As indicated by all the checks I spent the 24^th and Christmas day in the biggest market of Africa. Mercato, indeed the place where David was robbed. This time applying a new technique: tell Mika what you want; go for tea somewhere; let him go, inform and haggle; then go with him and approve of what he shows you and pay =)

Worked out pretty well. When they see me, the Faranji, they just go prize crazy. I tried to buy some spices by myself, Mika stopped me on time, and was charged double of what they charged Mika in the other shop without him bargaining. Not really my idea of fun shopping but the result is a blossoming cosy home. X-mas eve was spent with some of the people I went to Debrelibanos with and ex colleagues from GYA. We went out for dinner and then saw a really nice jazz concert with an extraordinary choice of instruments. Really nice even if I was a tad exhausted. On Christmas I was pleasantly surprised by several phone calls ( Thanks you guys, it was fantastic hearing you!) and had a quiet evening in with homemade stew. My latest addition to my culinary spectrum. It’s been grey and rainy here so perfect Irish conditions=)

You see I did pretty well with keeping the spirits high the last couple of days. Also I have another job interview Monday in a fantastic school -so cross your fingers and on Tuesday I hope to take off to the North, Couch surfing in Bahir Dar or so, with Mika.

Finally online again... Here's the story:

Being a Russian prostitute…

Lucretia the nice flatmate has decided to elope. She tried to escape the fascist terror of our school yesterday only to find out shortly before boarding the plane that she couldn’t leave the country without going to the immigration office. Our esteemed fuehrer has us imprisoned in her school and country… I’m beginning to see that if I want to leave Gibson concentration camp I will have to leave the country as well. It’s extremely frustrating because I don’t want to leave Addis and I have nothing lined up for me on the outside… I’ve just started to fall in love with this place.

The solution is getting our residence permit but even though it’s illegal to keep it die fuehrerin is not giving it to me. I need a lawyer or something to put some pressure. This is what I think people forced into prostitution by human smugglers must feel like. It’s awful.

Out of 8 international teachers 2 are on the verge of going and 4 others including me are thinking about it. Most others will probably leave the country though…

This feels crappy. Speaking of which I am sick again… yes diarrhoea which is why I have time to write...

I had a wonderful weekend, went to a place called Debrelibanos. Extraordinary landscape beautiful waterfall. We even found our way behind it ( in between hyena doodles, did you know those are white because they eat the bones…) which gave us an even more amazing sight. It was breathtaking, the view over the valley, the water, the patchwork of crops all over the mountains everything.( They don’t use machines here in there agriculture so they can also plant things on very steep slopes.)

Not unexpectedly I had Holger to thank for this trip, some people of his work organize something similar every month and from now on I’m officially invitedJ. After this splendid visit all of us, 16 or so, went out for a meal. We had “kid fo” meaning raw beef. Now for me it’s not that big a deal, my dad would slice a piece off his steak before cooking it and he’d give it to me and after all in my part of Flanders we are raised eating raw minced pork so I figured I’d give it a go.( Especially after a couple of glasses of honey wine I saw no harm…) We giggled a lot cause Holger and me had to go to the going away party of some Flemish friends (that had cycled up north) at the priest’s house afterwards being all tipsy. Anyway I guess the raw meat or the honey wine on top of the antibiotics for my cough weren’t my brightest ideas ‘cause on Monday I found myself running out of class not do to a number 2 in my pants… After that little incident I figured I’d better go and see the doctor again.

Pictures will follow.

Didn’t upload this on time… We’re already a week later.

The day after writing the previous we had a meeting with all the international teachers and the semi bosses. We had said we’d stand together and wouldn’t leave without our permits. We put up a struggle but they didn’t give in and the others gave up. This whole thing was really affecting my inner tranquillity though so I asked if I could meet with the boss to talk about it.

On that meeting I was fired because I insisted too much on getting what is legally mine. I was without words, left the office, the building and then broke down.

The next day, 5/11, I started looking for other jobs like a mad woman ‘cause I still don’t want to leave…

I’ve also gone to immigration at the airport where they told me that what she has done is indeed illegal. They send me to the main office where they keep postponing my meeting with some boss. I can do nothing but wait which I find really frustrating.

Job-wise things do pop up but everyone is waiting for immigration as well. I may earn less but I do believe I’ll be happier which is worth a lot.

In the mean time Holger my Belgian in Addis Guardian Angel has allowed me to crash at his place. I couldn’t stand being in the Gibson house anymore, didn’t feel comfortable, slept poorly etc. I am extremely relieved to be out of there and this house is amazing: it has beautiful garden filled with birds, sunshine and butterflies. I feel so fortunate I can be here.

Whereas that cow of Gibson concentration camp made me feel so betrayed and lonely other people really have come through for me which means so much especially after only being here for a couple of months and feeling so extremely lousy.

I can’t post this update yet even though I want to because I still have to deal with that cow and don’t want to risk anything to make that even worse. After that she’s getting a bad review on every site I can get my hands on.

I was invited to a huge party ( the king’s birthday or something) at the embassy. It was really cool, all kinds of Belgian cheese and little tasty snacks were definitely amongst the highlights. There was even Belgian beer but no Kriek so I did without. It is really wonderfull to be invited to something like this, there are so many interesting people there and everybody is so laid back. ( may be even too laid back: the ambassador of Venezuela (old) actually flirted with me) Still I have never felt this Belgian before I believe.

And this blog keeps on getting longer as everything is postponed yet again. I wonder how much more I can take before I crash…

I finally got the meeting at immigration only to find they sent me to someone else, a Mr Solomon. His office was the one with the huge queue of course.

So I got in line was granted half a minute of his time on which he based his decision to allow me in his office to wait there while he transferred other people… When it was my turn I had the telephone number of the cow ready which he had asked.

I told him my story and he asked the number but then when I mentioned the name of the school he sighed and didn’t need the number anymore… All of a sudden I was told to go and arrange everything with her and that I should leave the country If she didn’t give me a letter of no objection in order for someone else to be able to hire me… I couldn’t believe it, after all the illegal stuff she did I was at her mercy!

I scrambeled myself together and made an appointment after a pep-talk with Saskia, a Dutch girl who’s married here and actually has a network. I also contacted another school and they confirmed that the way I was fired was illegal and that I should use that to my benefit in order to have some leverage.

At first Mr Asfow, the one put in charge of international teachers by that cow, pretended he didn’t know anything about this letter of no objection and asked who told me this. When I told him Mr Solomon at immigration did he said he knew him and had spoken to him. I could see that being friendly wasn’t gonna get me anywhere so I dropped the illegal firing on him. His tone changed ( suddenly he did know about the letter of no objection) and he told me to write a formal request for this letter to Mrs Gibson. I did, wasn’t able to get a copy of it to show I did because everybody was afraid to give me anything… Then I waited again.

Can you see by now why I haven’t posted anything for almost a month???

Saskia gave me the number of a lawyer and told me to go to the ombudsman ( didn’t know this was the word in English as well it’s Dutch to me!) so I called and the lawyer seemed to think it was a good idea for me to go there as well. On Friday they took my case and told me they’d solve things on Monday afternoon and that I should be there. I was thrilled. On Monday afternoon the phone of GYA nor Immigration seemed to work so I had to go back Tuesday morning. On Tuesday morning I was told they couldn’t take my case after all because I wasn’t a government employer. I broke down then and there and was thus sent to the boss’ office so he could explain me where the human rights and anti corruption ministry was so I could go there. I cried and felt really embarrassed.

I tried desperately to pull myself together and go to this other ministry. It started off all wrong it was on the 7^th floor ( no elevator) and I arrived there just as the boss went into a meeting. So I sat there and waited.

Actually going into the building I was spotted by a GYA parent who followed me in to see what had happened to me. I told him my story and calmed down a bit. He wanted to take me out for coffee ( let’s not think he’s hitting on me and just being nice, my mental sanity is at stake here) I refused and kept waiting. Just before his lunch ( 2 and a half hour and some Amharic studying later) the boss took me in and referred me to an investigator, Mahalet or something, who was already out for lunch.

I devoured a hamburger and a juice and returned only to find the investigator had a long lunch and was late. Finally I got to talk to her, she apologised for being late and was very friendly. After telling my story she asked to see the contract I had signed. I told her I had a blanc one but had never received a signed copy of the school. She asked the number and called to ask for it. Mr Asfow told her ( lied I mean) he was out of town so the hole thing got postponed to next Monday whereas it was only Tuesday then.

When I informed Saskia she said human rights tends to take ages and does very little. She recommended I’d hire a lawyer and see how I can make things go quicker. So connected me to a friend that gave me the phone number of a friend with whom I met today only to be told (in an extremely friendly manner) I should contact her friend because he’ll have the time to help me… I’m meeting him this evening.

In the mean time I need to keep the schools that are interested in hiring me waiting. I have however semi started helping some parents with a kid with down syndrome until I get all this stuff arranged. At least that presents me with some distraction.

Monday Human rights…

23/11

I’ve seen a lawyer in the mean time. He told me it is not ok what she is doing and that I could sue her for the wage of the remaining part of the contract plus compensation especially after I get my paperwork arranged with the help of human rights. Don’t know what to do. Today I was told she wasn’t gonna give me the letter I needed. Tomorrow I need to confront her and try to press for the letter at the human rights office.
I also contacted the embassy but they aren’t really allowed to get involved. Pfff. Don’t know, this really is getting me down. I think about my sweet friends in Belgium and Spain, About the big pregnant bellies I won’t see, my cousins first steppes I’ve already missed, My fun conversation in my beloved Bilbao, etc and can’t help but wonder why am I doing this?
Of course I wouldn’t be me if I gave up this soon but I’ll admit I’m tempted. Tomorrow’s a new day, hopefully with new opportunities and fresh courage…

24/11

Good things happen to those who wait!!!!

The meeting at the human rights today. My lawyer had recommended I’d take someone so I called my friend Ebrushé from Konso ( who lives in Addis) and asked him if he’d do me this favour. He did and he did a splendid job in making me look as the victim and talking in Amharic to the jury about me. Also In giving me the hug I needed when I broke down after. At first it didn’t look good at all, the people from the school lied and told them I still had materials, That I had said I didn’t care about Ethiopian children, that they hadn’t fired me, etc.

I was shocked. But did with Ebrushé’s help keep my cool. After the joint meeting there is an individual one in which they pressured me to return to the school. I asked them how they could expect me to go back after the way they had treated me… Then it was the school’s turn we actually heard shouting and when I asked for translation I was told they were telling them that they had abused me. I crossed my fingers ( so hard they hurt now) and tried to think positive. I kept repeating: what goes around comes around so if she treats me likes this one way or another this will come back to her.

It became 17:20 and the office started closing but they were still in there talking. When I was finally called in they said they had 3 options they would present to Mrs Gibson:

1 I go back there for a limited time and get a letter of no objection afterwards.

2 They pay for my flight back to Belgium ( home for Christmas! But then back with new visa under different employer)

3 They give me the letter of no objection.
I am thrilled number 2 and 3 are best but I could probably put up with number 1. Next Monday they tell me her decision and then I can accept or decline.

An enormous weight has been lifted from me and I feel so much better. Friday I will meet my lawyer he has however already said that even after an agreement with the human rights I can still sue for the way she fired me and get a huge compensation but we’ll see that after Monday.

1/12

Really nervous when I had to go to the meeting. Ebrushé joined me again and has made it his mission to cheer me up. As it turned out I had reasons to be anxious’ cause the GYA people were not only an hour late but also managed to only offer one of the 3 options ( the going back one) stating that the boss hadn’t returned and they weren’t authorised to do more. Luckily the boss of human rights was quite irritated by this as well and did most of the talking after hearing what they said. I was asked if I believed what they said which is like openly showing mistrust and said I did which was true but was also nice of me.
So the whole thing got postponed by yet another week… I was really disappointed coming out of there.

Luckily working with Aaron ( the down syndrome boy) helps me to keep my mind of things and also Holger has been so good. I am still staying at his house and he has someone related to his work coming as from next week onwards meaning it’ll be ages before he has the house to himself again.

Actually more people have been extremely nice to me. Others sadly enough have left again ( Martin, Emily and Marisol). I’ve been hanging out a lot with one of the couch surfers I’ve met called Michael. He has also really supported me.

Also my lawyer didn’t want to charge me ( I insisted) because he felt bad about what happened and felt it wasn’t ethical of him to charge me for his help. It really moved me how he can be so idealistic when he’s a lawyer and also rather old. I wish there were more lawyers like that.

In the mean time the job offers keep coming and I do not really know which one to choose. ( A lot depends on Monday obviously) there are things that are more idealistic and others that are financially as comfortable as GYA and I’m having trouble choosing furthermore I also have to think about my resume and some schools give a better impression if I want to work on this continent next year then others. So it’s tricky but also positive.

7/12

Most of the time I’m feeling good. There are enough fun things happening to me. The Belgian friends who introduced me to Holger also introduced us to the , Indra, of the first secretary of the Belgian embassy, Wout. It has been easier to keep the embassy posted on my situation through them and they also just arrived and are fun company. Holger and me amongst others had a really nice evening at a party they hosted in their house ( on embassy grounds). Amazing people were there. Some people studying Sudan of the university of peace a really fun Walloon journalist working with refugees here, a documentary director,…

Besides the other day was Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas) which as most of you will know is a big deal to us especially when you’re younger then 10. There was a party hosted at the Dutch embassy to welcome the Sint and there were some traditional cookies. It was brilliant: I took Michael and Holger also came and we explained him this rather extraordinary and so local tradition. In the mean time I also dropped my resume in the extracurricular Dutch school. Even though Saskia keeps reminding me I do NOT speak Dutch but Flemish which always provides us with a reason for laughing whenever we meet.

This morning when I got up I even found a bag with goodies from Belgium with a note from Sint Holger, some Belgian colleagues of him arrived and he shared what they brought for him. Isn’t that the sweetest??? Anyway the final meeting is up in 30 minutes so I have to get going. Cross your fingers!

8/12

And with all those positive thoughts I rushed off to meet GYA at the human rights. The boss who fired me was there this time( the fuhrerin’s husband). The meeting was opened and immediately there was trouble. The human rights boss explained he wasn’t pleased with the fact that GYA brought other people to the meeting every single time and that the commission wasn’t willing to go back on previously made decisions. Gya wasn’t pleased with that at all and before I had even opened my mouth they were arguing and shortly after the meeting was closed. Conclusion GYA didn’t except any of the left available possibilities ( I was said to have refused possibility 1 which I only sort of did) and so Human rights would conduct a thorough investigation of the school. I was baffled and super disappointed. Mrs Mahalet( remember the female investigator in charge of my case couldn’t even tell me how long this was going to take. She merely said she was sorry I had to meet someone like that and then: ‘ the fight begins’.
So now I’m stuck here: can’t even leave the country if I wanted to ( GYA still has my papers) and am not allowed to be hired ( the other job offers I may loose. I mean how long will they wait?). It really makes me feel lousy.

After the meeting I was moody to poor Ebrushé before I took off to see a room for rent ( an Italian girl looking for a flatmate but who’s not sharing at the moment) which cost about half my expected salary ( so unaffordable for me but not too expensive for the UN volunteers it seems) and then rushed home because I had invited Brook, a friend of Holger’s for volevant ( typical Belgian food). Even though I really didn’t feel like it and I cried _quite embarrassingly_ in the minibus back ‘home’ it turned out to be just what I needed. A pleasant evening spent in good company and with tasty food if I may say so myself J.

Today I meet the lawyer again and I also have to pop in at Human rights to give them the Amharic version of my story which my friend Michael has translated.
I guess I have to keep thinking what goes around comes around . I wonder if the fight just started how comes I feel KO already?

9/12

Talked to the lawyer yesterday and he says it shouldn’t take human rights too long. So if he’s positive I should be as well. Hanging in there.

PS:

Have already tried wordpress but that limits me to 35people and they have to be users.

Hi too long!

I haven't been updating because things have not been well. I am always told it will be all over next week but it has already taken more than a month. It is not recommended for me to tell everything online for anyone to acces.
In other words I need your advice:
How can I open something alike to a blog but where one can only enter when you posses the password???
Al info welcome at my usual email.