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Christel's Diary

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17 April 2007

Love birds

Spotted the first “swarm” of storks. Don’t really know how you call a big “herd” of these birds. Now, it feels like spring.

The birds are finding mates and nesting. Last week, 1 came to inspect the living room. A few days later he came back with a mate. They really would like to have a nest in the living room, but do not like the spectators. They returned yesterday on the veranda. I think they found a spot in the hall, as it is still open (no door to veranda) and just “cimento”.

Besides a bit of fruit from my own garden this year, I will also eat zucchini. I’ve planted some not long ago and they start to show. Have not spotted the courgettes yet.
Yesterday tomatoes, aubergines and hot peppers were added.
We’re actually late this year to plant the vegetables. It should be done middle of March. But as the rain is late, no problem at all.

And we are having rain this month. Often thunderstorms and in-between hot.

I am told that this kind of weather they used to have the whole winter, but I find that a bit exaggerated, as I cannot imagine these thunderstorms with spectacular lightning during the coldest period of the year.

In the meantime the wall around the garden/camping is finished. It is now a matter of getting a gate.
I would like to have this done before I leave for Belgium on the 28th. Feasible, but it will be hard.
This gate has to be measured, tailor made and painted after a hole has been dug and a concrete pillar has been made to hold it up.

And due to the rain, planting and “weeding fatigue”, remain a few more days before that battle is finished. It will feel so good when that one is finsished.

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09 April 2007

The Grashopper and the Beetle

I was sitting on the ground pulling away some “hasjiesj” when a beetle came to me and complained about loosing his work and home (it is now a matter of days before the weeding job is finished).

“Ach”, said the grasshopper, “stop complaining. Me too, I had to move to another spot. I moved to the green grass that’s growing between rocks at the side of the white road. It is only temporarily, because I have plans. You should know, this place is being turned into a camping. Soon foreigners will come by in their vehicles. I hope to pick up some Italian and then hop on a car to move to Italy. They say the Italian females are very pretty. I’ll find me a nice one and hope to spend the rest of my years over there.”

“That’ll be fine for you”, replied the beetle, “ but I have children to feed. I cannot just hop on a car and move away. I have to collect, have a home, here on this very spot.”

Grasshopper : “Why on this very spot ? Is it too hard to move to next doors ? No problem of finding food and a home over there. The wife of the owner is very lazy. She doesn’t weed out the garden.”

Beetle : “That’s too far away for my children to go to school. Besides, soon the neighbour’s daughters will take over and I heard the eldest one is a good worker.”

Grasshopper : “What are you saying ! What school your children are going to now ?”

Beetle : “It is not really a school. They are following the English lessons the Foreigner is giving regularly to some children. I myself I’m learning to count to ten and already know how to say “hello””.

Grasshopper : “Why do your children need to know English ?”.

Beetle : “I want them to have a better life than me. Look at me, I’m getting old and weary. Staying around this place would make it easier for my children. Tourists leave trash and other remains. If my children understand when some tourists are leaving, they could be ready to collect anything they can use before the Foreigner arrives to clean up the place. I could stay here and enjoy the rest of my life not worrying.”

Grasshopper : “All right. Come and live with me. I’m not staying long anyway and there is enough room for the both of us and your children.”

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02 April 2007

Antihistamine or de-histamine ?

Hay fever has set in. A few days ago, it was really bad. Went to the pharmacist and told him I needed a “antihistamine”. He sold me “De-histamine”. A drug made in Syria. It works and its cheap.

The wonderful thing about pharmacists, doctors, dentists and alike is that they all know English. That’s easy.

The weeds are getting under control. I’ve taken a day off the weeding job to put in some seeds : zucchini and courgettes.

An amazing story about courgette seeds. Before you put them into the earth, you have to keep them a few days in water with lots of garlic. It seems that if this is not done, the plants do not give any courgettes.

I’ve also put 2 dried peppers in the earth. Will see what will come of it. It is not the usual kind. These grow like small red flowers.

And I’ve imported some wild flowers into the garden. Some seem to be a success. Others did not like the move.

Anyway, it has been hard work the last weeks, but the result is more than satisfactory. All people coming by appreciate the ongoing transformation.

Some women in the village are not happy, because their husband sees this foreigner working every day in the garden while they tell them it is too much hard work for them.

I guess you cannot satisfy all people all of the time.

The big news of the week is that elections are going on. Some 3 days ago a billboard was put next to the road into the village and to the mosque. A day later pictures of the candidates were showing on it. The locals have to choose a new mayor.

I wonder what the percentage of voters will be, because unlike to Belgium people are not obliged to vote in Syria.

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