The bag

Brrrr… winter has started with real Belgian weather : grey, rain, cold and wind during 3 days. Luckily this kind of weather is exceptional. The rain usually announces the “big cold” that will last until February. I will survive one way or another.

We had our chickens killed by a ferret last week. This animal kills just for pleasure and leaves its victims bleeding to death. The rooster came flying over the wall when we discovered the dead bodies. He was “wooing” the neighbour’s chickens at the time of the kill. I decided not to buy chucks for the time being. I don’t have time to take good care of them. The rooster was moved to one of Mohamed’s sisters’ place in the next village where enough chickens are living for each rooster to have his own harem.

Zakaria is a happy little boy these days. He likes watching a “Tik Tak” or a “Bumba” DVD from time to time, but nothing is more exciting than a plastic bag that used to contain diapers. Saying he loves it, is an understatement. It makes him happy, keeps him busy. It is amazing how much pleasure and joy he gets out of it. A discovery by chance that allows more time for me to do other things around the house. I even had time to read a book. It was “The perfume” by Süsskind. Loved it.

Reading books just for pleasure is not done by the villagers. They visit, drink tea and talk, talk, talk… or watch the soaps on television… soaps which are mostly “made in Syria” and some in the most beautiful settings with exquisite costumes. When visiting I have to watch an episode with the others, as they all are facing the television and don’t notice anything that is happening around them.

I don’t mind, it’s fun. These episodes usually don’t take long. I would find it boring to watch these soaps every night. Luckily I don’t have a television. Once there is one, it is so easy to turn it on and let time pass by unproductively.

The emails started dropping in with season’s greetings. I hereby wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.