Sunday, February 10, 2008

Teddy

Today, we went on a walk to find lunch. As soon as we ventured outside of the Hilton fortress, we were met by an old-souled, finger-nail-bitten, 11-year-old boy. His name was Teddy, the youngest of four children. He attends primary school, likes black Mercedes (not VW bugs like Tommy and me) and wants to be a doctor (which after becoming, will be the owner of said black Mercedes). His English was excellent. Tommy is the friendlier of the two of us, with an unbelievable social thirst that needs to be quenched, much as this boy needed. Questions, many, many questions were asked and my husband, as they walked a few steps behind me, was happy to answer and ask in return. A half-mile down the road the three of us ate lunch. Were we conned out of the equivalent of $3? Most probably. Is it perhaps the “wrong” thing to do, perpetuating this over-friendly, hustling behavior? Possibly. Did we have a wonderful lunch talking with an amazingly interesting young boy whom we both fell in love with? Absolutely. We regret not making a deal with him from the beginning; “if you promise to practice English and tell us a bit about Ethiopia, can we buy you lunch?” Then it would not have seemed uncomfortable during the beginning of lunch, when he welcomed himself to a seat without being invited, and we would not have contributed to the nail biting that commenced during the meal. In the end, we got more than we gave. Just a lunch, but we will miss beautiful-eyed Teddy.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

My husband is in London right now and I sent him your last post... He'll be thirsty to read your second.

He is more than impressed by your unbelievable writing skill (as he is a writer- NOT me).

I just have to talk to you when you return - no way around it!

xoxo Lor
ps. Best written story from Addis EVER....

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see pictures of you holding him!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

How are you achieving such great internet over yonder???

I loved the story below, I felt like I was traveling with you! I love descriptive stories that actually prepare me for what we are about to venture into next month!

Much Love!

Anonymous said...

I CAN'T STAND ALL THE WAITING!!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see pictures of you with Judah...I love that you are keeping your website updated while you are there. You are so amazing. Again, I can't wait to see pictures.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! I'm just dieing to here about you guys holding Jude for the first time. Thinking of you all the time!! xoxoxo!

Anonymous said...

I wish we could bring all the teddys home with us, huh?