April 12, 2005
Still waiting
The inevitable has happened and the return of the obelisk has been delayed once again. If it was my town I would be spitting. But Ethiopians are a pretty restrained, polite bunch.
Everyone just shrugs their shoulders, says "it is very bad" and carries on with daily life. They have been disappointed before after all. The last time the obelisk was supposed to come back, the country issued a set of stamps. Then ... nothing.
It has still come as a bit of a shock though. There have been big marches and events every day up to now. Yesterday, every schoolchild in the region walked through town singing, waving homemade banners and models of the obelisk. (I will post pics later today). There are flags flying from every shop and house. Up until late yesterday afternoon, they were still erecting tents in the town's central school playing fiends and preparing to welcome the Prime Minister and the President. Today, just anti-climax.
There are rumours that it may still come on Friday. Others say the delay is "indefinite". Nobody - not even the officials who are supposed to be organising it all - seems to know.
Posted by aheavens at April 12, 2005 8:39 AM