Darren Clark Music
  • Home
  • About
    • Biography
    • Awards
    • Credits
  • SHOWS
    • MUSICALS >
      • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
      • The Boy and the Mermaid
      • These Trees Are Made of Blood
      • Day of the Living
      • The Wicker Husband
      • Turing
      • The Scarecrows Wedding
      • The Grumpiest Boy in the World
      • Once Upon a Snowflake
    • PLAYS >
      • The Little Gardener
      • Our Friends the Enemy
      • Tarzanna
      • Wanderlust
  • Video
  • Shop
    • Albums
    • Books
    • Sheet Music
  • For Young/New Composers
    • How I Began My Career
    • The Invoice
    • The Commissioning Contract
    • The Option Agreement
    • The Collaboration Agreement
    • Fees & Royalties
    • Links
  • Composer Blog
  • Contact

Another Addis Day

9/27/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
The last couple of days we have been unable to work with the charity, Manda got sick with something that meant she needed to be close to (if not sitting on) a functioning toilet for the majority of the day and then it's a public holiday 'Mescal' so the kids won't be at the project. We have managed to do some work for the charity remotely though such as revising their sponsorship form. Manda revised the sponsorship form and I annoyed her by making tiny, inconsequential amendments that satisfied nothing except my own desire to make things look nice.

I am sad to report that Amanda has been the victim of pickpockets down by Megananya Junction. While one has to admire the skill of them (Amanda was actually holding onto her bag at the time) I can't help but feel disappointed. I'm not disappointed that such things happen so to speak, but disappointed that one thing that I felt was absolutely sure to happen (based on my preconceptions about Africa)actually did happen. So many things have challenged and changed my perception for the better of this beautiful country and it's fascinating culture. It's just annoying that this should have happened.

Amanda is taking it all with the wonderful grace she shows in everything, saying that whoever took the money probably needed it far more than her. Unfortunately I am not blessed with a similar way. Whilst it's true, I do not know the circumstances of the thief, they could be stealing because they are starving, or have a family to feed (either of these could easily be true in this poverty ridden city), but equally the thief does not know the circumstances of those they are stealing from. True, we do not look as if we are starving, and we have silly white faces that mark us as coming from countries of relative wealth, but Amanda is not well off. In fact she has about $70 US to last another five weeks and the money that was taken was relatively important to her. She is also here volunteering her time and her own money to help Ethiopian children whom she really cares about. She is not just another Ferenge here to see the sights, she is doing work that is really important and selfless. I wonder if the thief would still have taken her money if they knew why she was here.

Today we walk down to Sholla market to buy some food from the local supermarket. Everywhere we go there are children and women selling flowers for Meskal, a huge festival here that celebrates the finding of the true cross in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Another feature is the killing of a sheep. We pass a number of sheep looking suspicious and trying to hide at the back of flocks. Sholla market is incredible, there are chickens everywhere being held by the feet or lining the pathway, a chicken is shoved unceremoniously in front of us and squawks its disapproval of our strange faces. Children greet us enthusiastically with cries of 'Money', 'Money, money' and 'Give me money' which I roughly translate as 'Hello' in Amharic. Locals shout 'Ferenge' (foreigner) at us. We shout 'Abasha' (Ethiopian) back. 

One thing I cannot get over are the smells of the city. It's like a physical assault on the senses, like being invaded by the army of a small country intent on annexing your nose. It's powerful, intense and intoxicating. Combined with the heat it creates a giddy sort of feeling. I'm not saying the smell is bad (although in some places it is just about the worst thing your olfactory nerve will ever experience) it's just overwhelming. Garlic and onion permeate the air, the smell of fresh sheep, donkey and chicken poo mingle with it, the scent of the local cooking allies with the diesel of the passing cars, open urinals (the gutter) and the mescal flowers, burning frankincense and strong coffee, all merge together to create the distinctive smell that is the city. Addis Ababa. City of Scent.

One our way back up through the market we encounter a Higer (one of the larger buses) that has stopped and is letting passengers off. They open the back where the engine is to check something. Out of the engine they pull a number of chickens. It is the first time I have seen a Chicken Powered Bus. I believe Ethiopia maybe ahead of it's time.

Meskal begins to get underway whilst we are back at the house. Bonfires light up around the city and everywhere there is the scent of burning herbs, smoke rises up into the night from the lights below. The rhythmic Ethiopian singing is heard across the city. The power goes out (a regular occurrence - we get a piece of chocolate if bothe the water and power go off at the same time) before we begin cooking and we have a new challenge. Cooking by Candlelight. Frank, Amanda and I manage to put together some sort of a bolognaise in the dark. We celebrate our achievements with Rob and Anna who provide a gin and tonic. Fluffy sits outside whining.

Just another day in Addis.


2 Comments
A Bee
9/26/2012 09:51:16 pm

Oh poor Manda Bobsloth! What a crummy thing to happen :(
She is so amazing though to be so resigned and not cross. I miss you Bear-face. What do you want for your birthday?

Reply
kittycatxo mfc link
9/26/2013 01:00:57 pm

How old is this post?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Building New Musicals
    Children's Theatre
    Composer Psychology
    How To Make A Living
    My Personal Life
    On Critique & Reviews
    On Songwriting
    Politics
    Stiles & Drewe Writing Retreat

    Categories

    All
    Building New Musicals
    Children's Theatre
    Composer Psychology
    How To Make A Living
    My Personal Life
    On Critique & Reviews
    On Songwriting
    Politics
    Stiles & Drewe Writing Retreat

    Archives

    September 2021
    April 2021
    November 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    March 2015
    December 2014
    August 2014
    March 2014
    May 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    October 2011

    Categories

    All
    Building New Musicals
    Children's Theatre
    Composer Psychology
    How To Make A Living
    My Personal Life
    On Critique & Reviews
    On Songwriting
    Politics
    Stiles & Drewe Writing Retreat

Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • Biography
    • Awards
    • Credits
  • SHOWS
    • MUSICALS >
      • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
      • The Boy and the Mermaid
      • These Trees Are Made of Blood
      • Day of the Living
      • The Wicker Husband
      • Turing
      • The Scarecrows Wedding
      • The Grumpiest Boy in the World
      • Once Upon a Snowflake
    • PLAYS >
      • The Little Gardener
      • Our Friends the Enemy
      • Tarzanna
      • Wanderlust
  • Video
  • Shop
    • Albums
    • Books
    • Sheet Music
  • For Young/New Composers
    • How I Began My Career
    • The Invoice
    • The Commissioning Contract
    • The Option Agreement
    • The Collaboration Agreement
    • Fees & Royalties
    • Links
  • Composer Blog
  • Contact