Ethiopia Blog 8:The Beauty of Gondar and The Wise and Kind Soul of a Boy Named Yusef.
- May 17th, 2011
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Gondar was a beautiful experience. I felt we all bonded deeper than we had on any part of the trip. The people in Gondar were warm and very beautiful. The shows we played there were awesome. The creativity channeled at its most pure created the experience of a partying with the people whether we were on the terrace of our hotel or outside in front of the historic castle playing for 200 folks. Both experiences were profoundly moving. And in all of this beauty and challenges a wise, kind and loving boy named Yusef is what I will I remember most about Gondar. We met Yusef on our way to the take a tour of the 1000 year old castle in the center of town. The boy became our tour guide and accompanied us the majority of our time in Gondar. Yusef was an 11 year old boy who looked about 6 or 7. He had a beauty of spirit and was constantly being the playful and silly 11 year old boy he was, constantly reflecting the intensity of love that we couldn’t help but show him. I had a special bond with Yusef as he would constantly give me spontaneous hugs and say to me “You are my brother.”
The day we left Gondar we had to leave at 5am. A school day Yusef showed up to our hotel to say his goodbyes to all of us. I picked him up and gave him a big embrace he said to me again, “You are my brother.” As my eyes welled-up I echo back to him the same sentiment. As we drove off, I looked at young Yusef walking off with a timeless dignity and nobility beyond his years.
Yusef is a beautiful spirit. Since you are his brother, he must be my son. I hope you got his address or remember the name of his school and maybe you can send him a card. Two spirits of blessing……
Wow, ok…I won’t cry in this bookstore. Not today
This made me cry. Beautiful. Thank you E.
Interesting!
I was looking for Bellevue jazz festival artist and show schedules but in the process I stumbled to your blogs about trip to Ethiopia, at first I was confused…amI in the right place and then I glanced the headline… stopped suddenly and start reading and didn’t stop until I finish every last one of your trips blogs, very powerful from human 101 prospective. I like the way you express your momentous experiences on your trip, very natural, honest, and vivid…it invites your readers to imagine, think and examine themselves/how would they react, respond or feels, also its very engaging, you lay it down in a very humanistic way possible.
You are not only gifted musician but talented writer as well, I think your musical ability play a role for seeing things the way they are and associate them with yourself genuinely….what do you think?
I am originally from Ethiopia/Addis Ababa, I left home in my late teens, since then I went back to visit three times, during those visit I spend great deal of times exploring Ethiopia, East, central and North Africa so I know exactly what you mean when you trying to express your view by being honest to yourself at the time….. many thanks for sharing.
It saddened me that the culture and traditions of many societies in this country are eroding faster than the land they are farming on, especially among young generations, loosing such a basic ingredients in the society could cause identity crisis for coming generations. (not that everything is there fault, that another story)
On my trip to Ethiopia last November I was also in ‘Allzie Jazz’ Lounge, reminds me good ole days smoky jazz clubs here in US…any way I had great time, I also had a chance to met a couple of musician Henok/the Drummer and Yared /electric bassist/, you may had met them they are regular gigs in that joint.
I am glad you made this trip and enjoyed it, specially your connection with the young Yusef… very touching, you probably made the turning point in this boy’s life…we never know, what matter is you took the time and acknowledged his presence…
perhaps we will chat more when I see you again in ‘LUCID’, but 1st I will see you @ ‘Twisted Cork’,
By the way, have you heard a composition by pianist Larry Willis called ‘Ethiopia’ from his album ‘The Offering’/2008, I am not sure what inspired him to write the tune, but I like it , there is Chellos/or standup base part at the beginning of the tune its silky and meditational..which mimic the very foundation of Ethiopian music/in church, the traditional instrument is called ‘beggena’, you may have heard of it.
Keep up the good work
Cheers
Abe