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November 2005, Page 2.
Index of articles:
by subject,
by date.
In this issue:
(November 2005)
Fellowship,
Chorltons,
Food Bank,
Question.
An extract from Chris and Angela Chorton's latest letter. You can read more on our web site ...
Agaanib in Egypt
Chris and Angela Chorlton
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Ali is 11 and has lived in Beni Suef all his life. He has never left the town and has only every seen 'Agaanib' (foreigners) on the TV or in magazines. One day he is sitting outside his father's kiosk that sells a few cheap sweets and packets of tissues and he sees some people coming towards him. They look a little odd. They are lighter than he is and the woman and little girl don't have 'normal' dark hair. Suddenly it dawns on him. They might be 'agaanib' - but quick, how can he be sure? He jumps up, and asks the man: 'Asaa'ah Kam?' (What's the time?). The man answers, and the truth is out - they are not from around here.
"Agaanib, Agaanib, AGAAANIB' he begins to call to anyone in earshot. Suddenly his long boring English lessons flood back - what to say, what to say? "What's your name" … "1, 2, 3" ... "I love you" … We can still hear him when we are much further up the road.
As you see, people are very friendly in this town, and we still enjoy life here. We have never had any hostile reaction at all to our presence. Yet our complaint, can you believe, is that they are too friendly! It is very difficult to have any relaxing time out of our house. We are constantly an object of curiosity, even to people who see us everyday. Anyone who has the slightest smattering of English wants to help us, get on the bus, pay on the bus, get off the bus. It's hard to remain civil and thank them for their help when you really want to tell them you have taken that bus every day for a year and are quite capable of getting off it at the right place.
When we meet people we know out in the town they love to offer advice. This is a normal way to greet people you know, almost as if to show you care. But it often feels like criticism, and it is quite wearing. Whatever we dress Anna in it seems that she is either too hot or too cold. And for us too: "Where is your coat? It is still winter!" If we are catching a bus: "Why take the bus, it isn't far." If we are walking: "Why walk, it is far too hot!"
Chris and Angela Chorlton