We have Grass!

For the first Thursday in a few weeks, we don't have a power cut and I'm able to send messages by email, so there will finally be another short blog entry from the Eatburns.

We have grass! I thought I should let all the lawn watering fanatics back home know that you can let your lawn go all year with no watering. When the rains finally come, the grass grows back in very nicely. I have proof: We have lived in what I thought was a sandy yard for the last 8 months. The rains started about 3 weeks ago, and our yard is slowly being covered by a beautiful green lawn. Something to think about. Our friend Saba has big plans. Her present scheme is to get some goats and keep them in our compound until she sells them. She'd also like to plant some sorghum and corn for them. It's fine with me as long as we aren't involved in any slaughtering.

Our big news is that we have been granted another year's leave! Hopefully as we've figured out many of the challenges (water, electricity, bread, teaching, surviving as a student...) next year should be easier. The kids are okay with the idea though they do miss their friends a lot, so keep those letters coming! We're planning a big summer trip to Mozambique, hopefully meeting some friends from back home there. We're also hoping for some visits in the coming year, so if you haven't booked your flight, think about it.

The country is geared up for independence day celebrations this Wednesday, celebrating the end of the war of liberation from Ethiopia. It should be a pretty exciting day as the Eritreans are very proud of their success at breaking free from Ethiopia. Ethiopia had the odds in their favour because the outside world supported them and basically ignored Eritrea. We're looking forward to joining in the celebrations.

The country was geared up last night for the finals of the premiership league soccer cup: Barcelona versus Arsenal. Arsenal is the Eritrean's team of choice but unfortunately they lost. Kim, Lukas and a friend were out late watching the game in a local restaurant. The cinema was jam packed. Next event: the world cup.

Kim lost several of his students this week. The grade nine class were punished last week for not coming in after recess. They were asked to kneel in the sun for the period (pretty common practice here!). They decided to sign a petition and not go to school the next day. They weren't allowed back the following day, and after meeting with the principal, several were kicked out of school.

Maya had a lovely weekend in Asmara, with our VSO friends Amilie and Andy. They took here down for a wedding (an English VSOer married an Eritrean). She was thouroughly spoiled, including a trip to the "Roof Garden" restaurant for gourmet Indian food and a visit to our favourite Italian ice cream place. Next week it's my turn to go down with Lukas or Simon.

Guess that's all the news for now,

Barb