A long way gone....

by Ishmael Beah. (and have you read 'Whats the what' (Dave Eggers) yet?)

Europe

With last weeks European Election, both the UK and France flared to the far right and Im a little sad about it. Since two weeks I'm living in a small town in Germany. First thing I've noticed was that were a fair amount of african people living here. And I noticed a beautiful old building in the centre of town. It is an old cigar factory, now turned into a shelter for Eritrean refugees. Today the big bridge in town, that connects the left part of town with the right, was closed off for the annual 'Bruckefest'. The minister of the local church (dressed in a Ed Hardy shirt, with the looks of an artist and the hair of a popstar) held a beautiful speech in which he asked how many people are from Treis? (the town) (hands up, and cheer for them!) How many people are from Giessen (next city) (hands up, and cheer for them!) How many people are from more than 400 km away (hands up, and cheer for them!) How many are from more than 1000 km away? (hands up and cheer for them!) The whole ceremony evolved on building bridges and connect to each other. Today I was one of those strangers from far away. But they cheered for me. And for all the other foreigners. But the refugees were also involved in the party: There was a food stand with Eritrean food and coffee and some were asked to join the Bruckefest Choir. And opposed from what you might expect: they sold out all their food within an hour and half. The only thing left to eat: local trout and burgers. And opposed to what I expected (a shitty german cover band) a cool senegal/ german band played that evening. They taught me a new expression: Die europeans haben das Uhr, but wir (the africans) haben die Zeit. In this town Im the stranger who struggles with the language, doesn't know any one. But I look the same as the germans, the weather is the same as in my country and the trees look the same. I walk around and see the Eritreans and often wonder, they must miss their country terrible. And hope they felt the same warmth today as I felt. I'm proud of this little town that proves Europe wrong. The band packed up and left, and unfortunately there was a shitty german cover band after all. Feedback and all! It's all good. It was a lovely lovely day.

Drawing

Germany

My blog, I'm neglecting the blog. Sorry my dear friends. Im currently in Treis, a little village in Germany an hours drive from Frankfurt. Im staying with a family, in the oldest house of the village. The family consisting out of mum, dad, and two teenagers, live in one part. The grandmother lives in a different part and the great-grandmother (93) also lives here. And 22 horses. 2 cats and a beautiful, large wolf like dog named Tessa. And here I'm; a city girl from Amsterdam. So used to taking care of myself, living with this family. It's funny, the mum and dad have a great sense of humor and are both able to laugh about the teenage grumpiness and their never ending occupation with their telephone. I have my own room, with my computer, a view on the meadow with the two stallions and I just let life be life for a bit. I get up early, eat breakfast and go outside around 8. Feed the stallions, take care of the stables, feed the dog and the geese (oh yeah there are also two geese). Sweep the floor.
It may sound boring but there are so many interesting things: we drove to an certified organic horse/ cow stable. It blew my mind: loads of solar panels on all the roofs, and addition to that: waterpower from their own mill. They produced enough energy to supply 40 houses. So inspiring. To live in this beautiful, amazing, green surrounding and to see how people fully appreciate their surrounding and try to keep it as healthy, clean as can be. But still run their farm and are able to sustain themselves. I have traveled to so many amazing countries. And here Im, 4 hours drive away from my house: but so beautiful and clean. I have loved all the countries I was in, but truly, Europe also is pretty amazing. So what more have I done: I've been riding through the fields on kindest horses I've ever met: Welshcobs. Had a riding lesson. I had to inject medicine to a horse. Worked with the baby of the family: a year old horse called Faye. Helped cut down (old, fallen) trees. I just get to see what it takes to run such a farm and I love everything about it: sitting in the old knackered Toyota 4 wheel drive, or take the kind strong, healthy 20 year old guilding back to the stable, riding him, the was so sun  strong. No helmet, wearing a tanktop and loving loving loving life.
As boring as it sounds to all of you. I love it. Life is calm and I have next to nothing here: my computer with 40 songs (thought I could use Spotify but I can't) some books and a nice red chair, a little table and a comfy bed. And the family loves food as much as I do, and cook great food. (current favorites in the family: white asparagus and strawberry desert…..) So life is good, but I alread mentioned that did't I? Love from Treis and drawings soon, I promise. (ps and more amazing: I still get to work on my own work. I love making illustrations...so still work on that for different clients)

Lost & Found

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