I woke up 5 AM because of a rooster. In Estonia I’m used to get up when it’s not dark anymore. Because of all the power cuts it’s very economic. Though here nobody seems to be very economic, sadly. We were discussing with the cook the option of adding meat to the menu. Some children started to gather around us. The silence in the room was awkward. Each student was washing their hands, helping the next student as well by pouring water on their hands. No one was wrestling, shouting or hustling. When the cook finished praying in Amharic there were some children who continued praying. I had to leave the room, because I started crying. It takes some time to get adjusted to it and to take it for granted. I was looking at the totally empty plates and thinking of how piles of food are left over in our school canteens, how food gets thrown away in our supermarkets and all those packages that contain the food that is eatable in our minds. I think of the pink herrings or cheese-like products. I have nowhere to run from these thoughts. Why don’t I want sugar, salt or flour here? Why do I eat all the unhealthy things when I’m in Estonia? Why does it seam that the people who live in poorness have peace in their soul? Does this peace come from the sun or God, without whom they can’t live. I’d like to take this peace with me and share it…
MERLE