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November 30, 2005

Spring cleaning

I have been tidying up the links in the right hand column of MeskelSquare, deleting blogs that haven't been updated in a month and adding a few others.

The two new Ethioblogs are both by ferengis - one, I think, from China the other from the US.

The first blog deli[log]ue has some great pictures (see right) and a description of what it is like to have "ferengi" shouted at you wherever you go.

The homeless, orphans, rash teenagers mostly do so, but even the elders who do look gentle as well. I am very well aware that most of them are not intended to insult at foreigners like me, and that they are just curious or inquisitive because they have not seen many Asian here in Ethiopia. To be honest, it is pretty unpleasant. However, I see people, especially very young kids who are just out of their cradle, not saying anything but staring at me with curiosity. When I see them, I cannot resist smiling and saying hello to them.

The second Things I Should Have Written Down includes a first hand account of running the Great Ethiopian Run:

Not long into the race, the surging mass starting chanting anti-government, pro-opposition slogans. With no fear and no apparent memory of the recent spate of arrests, beatings and killings, the young people pointed directly at soldiers standing along the course and shouted, "Thieves!" and "Release Them!" Some of the soldiers smiled, showing restraint and allowing them their moment. Others were not so amused. One plain-clothed officer mimed the cutting of his throat and had a look of hatred on his face I hope to not see again soon.

and an entry that should be read in full on the dangers of taking photos of federal police - particularly if you are an Ethiopian accompanying a ferengi - The White Man Deserves To Be Punished.

Posted by aheavens at November 30, 2005 7:37 AM