I thought you might like to meet the people that share the "gibbee" (compound) with me. Now that I've been living here for 3 weeks, I think I can say that I've finally met everyone who actually lives here. The compound isn't that big, but like I said previously…there seems to be a surplus of cubbyholes.
My landlords are Ato Getachew and Waizero Aselef. Getachew is ALWAYS working at one of his many businesses. He is a quiet, unassuming man who is frugal with his words. Consequently, I know him the least. Aselef, on the other hand is ALWAYS around! She is the mother of 3 grown children and is constantly busy working around the home and family lumbar yard. She is not quite as frugal with her words as her husband, but unfortunately when she does speak with me it is so rapid that I catch a quarter of what she says. She is always willing to lend me a helping hand, but more often than not this results in her "doing" and me "watching". Today I asked if she had any spare containers to use as planters for the zinnia seeds that I had received in a package. She dropped everything and set out to help me with this project. It quickly became apparent that I again was to be relegated to the role of "watcher"---not my intention at all. So, I plopped down on the ground, stuck my hands in the mud/dirt and said in Amharic "I'm a farm-girl." She acquiesced with a nod and a look that I think was one of approval.
Souwnet is our househelper. I've yet to determine if she has any other relationship to my landlords, but I suspect not. She is extremely hardworking…always on the go. Invariably, when I sit on the porch to sort lentils and rice…she pops a squat and joins in.
Abi is Souwnet's son and my saving grace. He and I are about on the same level with regard to language, which doesn't say much for my language skills…he's 2! He is busy, busy, busy and is always into something he shouldn't be. The up side to this is that it gives me ample opportunity to practice the commands I've been learning (sit, drop it, stop, come, leave it)! I also love his sense of style--tattered t-shirt that barely reaches mid-thigh and black plastic cowboy boots. He loves to laugh and it doesn't take much to get him started. I love it when he presses his face against my window and then disappears in a burst of giggles as soon as we make eye contact. What a goof!
Hapti is the 20 year-old preparatory (i.e. grade 12) school student who lives at the front of the compound. His parents are rural farmers who live about 2 hours by foot from town. Hapti has been rooming here while going to school. He is able to speak and understand a fair amount of English, which has been so helpful to me. He's an easy-going guy and a good student. Today he asked me for help with his math. I took one look at his CALCULUS book and said, "you're more GOBEZ (clever/smart) than I!" He also seems to have stepped into the roll of my protector. If I open the front door at night to dispose of or deal with some creature that has invaded the house, he is right there to make sure all is well. I also can't wander from the compound after 5:30pm without him voicing a concern for my safety and then trailing me at a distance.
Azena is the 20-something university student who lives at the back of the compound. He is enrolled in the evening program, so I don't see him often. He is a student of geography. He comes and goes through the backdoor so I often don't even know when he is here and when he is not. This is also why I haven't been able to get a photo of him!
So, there you have it….the "who's who" of my gibbee. Needless to say, there is always a swarm of activity here and I should never have cause to be bored or lonely!
Getachew
Aselef
Souwet and Abi
Abi
Hapti
