Community

What does community mean to you? In a individualist driven world it is often incredibly hard to define, some might say it is a collective, others would suggest it has more to do with residency and local areas. In my opinion community means so much more than the usual definitions; community is complete synchronicity with people from all walks of life in a manner which encourages equal opportunities. More over communities are realistic, they have break downs occasionally and require work but fundamentally are like a chemical reaction in perfect equilibrium. 

What community defines you? Take for instance the subject of this blog - The surf community. This is motley crew of fringe people (those on the outskirts of society), or at least the stereotype expects this. Conversely surfers can also be 9-5 business men who have wives and 2.4 children! 

Whilst in Ethiopia I am gaining new insights into what community can mean. Family and friends are the life blood of the Habesha people, when out walking on the street you shoulder bump and slap your friends on the back asking them about their day. It is also a very tactile culture, men hold hands, women kiss both cheeks everyone says hi to children. In many ways its idyllic. It is no coincidence that Bob Marley called Ethiopia Zion (heaven on earth), the shining jewel in the Ethiopian crown is its people, people who see kindness as routine as brushing your teeth.

 Perhaps the most touching thing I've seen is when a person passes away, in this instance complete strangers give money to the grieved regardless of their financial situation.

     Dear blog readers I thought you might enjoy a popular Ethiopian singer Jonny Ragga as a brief interlude between paragraphs!

Today I'd like to tell you about the female community! In Addis Ababa the Women First 5K race happened to mark International Women's Day March 8th. Thousands of Habesha and forengies alike turned out in our matching red t-shirts to promote gender equality. It has to be one of the highlights of the trip, not only because Halie Gebrelselassie turned up but because some many proud, confident women ran to symbolize empowerment. Pictures coming soon! 

So to tie all loose ends I'd like to finish this post with a nod towards an empowered professional female surfer. 

'My name is Keala Kennelly and I have a story that no man wants to hear. Because I am a woman in the world of professional surfing. I am supposed to be invisible. And yet I see and feel and love exactly the same things you assholes do. Probably more.'

Keala Kennelly is a professional female surfer who broke the world record in 2005 for being the first woman to be towed in at Teahupoo (a really, really big scary wave to you and me)! In a male dominated area she has dominated and more than proven that the female persuasion can rule a nation! Go Keala!! 

Its hard to believe that in 3 weeks time I'll be back in Birmingham. I vividly remember at the start of this placement finishing the first phone conversation to Antonio (the beloved man fellow) and just crying my eyes out - how quickly 12 weeks can go! All of a sudden I'm contemplating England again! Ethiopia has been a life changing experience, I came here an indecisive girl very much in love, I'm leaving a confident woman who also happens to still be very much in love with her boyfriend! 

Thank you Ethiopia!