I don't know this place!
I didn't come alone,
It's not my good horse that wants to drive me to play,
Attract young heroes like me,
Come to this exotic place,
It is full of blood, it is full of courage,
This is a passion for drinking and having fun.
-Russian ancient folk songs, quoted from Pushkin's The Captain's Daughter.
( 1)? Arriving in Ethiopia for the first time
Because of the temporary arrangement of the department, I transferred from North Africa to South Africa, so I changed my trip abroad and moved from Libya to Ethiopia, a country that is said to have large company-level projects. Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and the city I will go to next.
The first time I stepped into this African plateau, the only feeling was that the wind was strong, the land was wide, the road was rugged, the people were black and there were many donkeys.
Sitting on the shabby minibus rented by the office, you can see the endless African plateau in the distance, the endless stream of black beggars on the nearby roads stop and go, messy garbage dumps, dilapidated buildings, broken cars that are about to be scrapped, and even Xiaohei standing on the side of the road without fear to pee.
This is a strange world that is close at hand and seems far away.
This is my first impression of this city. It's terrible. I sincerely hope that the project can be completed as soon as possible and return to China as soon as possible.
I never thought that this complicated project would last for three years, and during these three years, I frequently went in and out of the country, dodged visas, and struggled between here and back, which made my heart ache. Recalling those years, my heart is still full of complicated and unspeakable emotions.
I clearly remember that on my first day in Ethiopia, the first thing I did was to find my own place. My colleague contacted the dormitory for me in advance. It's a shabby apartment, located near the office building. There are two beds in a big room. The quality of the mattress is very poor. As soon as I sat down, I fell into a deep nest and it took me a long time to recover. The quilt cover is that kind of rough cloth, and there is not even a hanger in the wardrobe.
I never thought that this was the place where the African dream began.
Everyone knows that when you first arrive in a strange country, you can't adapt to life and work, but not everyone can imagine the specific extent of your discomfort, if you are not among them.
I'm surprised at the busy work. Negotiate with blackie during the day and stay up late at night. At the same time, I have to bear the pressure of language communication and the strange smell emitted by Xiaohei. Fortunately, my mind is not bad, I finish my work step by step and calmly integrate into the little black world. When you are busy, you will also visit the city, taste the famous local bitter coffee, and the roar of the wind on the plateau. The wind in this city is really strong.
Another unaccustomed aspect is diet. Three meals a day are cooked by African black chefs, and the first few meals are ok. As soon as the freshness is over, I feel that eating is just to fill my stomach, and my appetite is greatly reduced. In fact, such suffering is tolerable for me. Compared with the mental depression caused by work, I think this tangible material pain sometimes even becomes a kind of enjoyment.
Later, I have gradually adapted to this way of working, the pace of work and the atmosphere of life, and I have completely integrated into the life circle here. After work, I will take the initiative to talk to the black security guard or driver. I will teach them to speak Chinese, and I will let them teach me the local language. I gave them Chinese names. Wu Dalang is short, Ximen Qing is handsome, and Pan Jinlian is a little beautiful. There is a table tennis table at home, and I play a few games with my colleagues after work. Every time at this time, there will be a lot of black passing by. They watched in surprise as the white balls flew around, but they didn't land. They kept shouting, "It's amazing. How did you do it?" .
Whenever this happens, there will be a naughty happiness in our hearts, and a sudden self-confidence and satisfaction will fill our whole body. I suddenly feel that I should actually thank those times. Happy days never come out of thin air. If there is no daily contact and interaction with Xiaohei, happiness will be so weak.
(2)? Work and life in Ethiopia
Let's talk about my work next.
Ethiopia's economy is lower than the African average, not to mention the world average. Therefore, all aspects of infrastructure are relatively backward, basically more than 20 years behind China. Therefore, road construction, power construction, hydropower station construction, laying wires, building buildings and building tall buildings all cost money. At present, the government is also very concerned about the construction of communication network, so the company has such a unique opportunity.
Ethiopia's backward infrastructure is doomed to prevent the project from going smoothly.
First of all, Ethiopia's electricity comes from only a few small hydropower stations. The dry season is from June 5438+00 to April of the following year, and it seldom rains. Therefore, the electricity produced by hydropower plants is completely insufficient to meet industrial and civil needs. In the dry season, it is difficult for the capital to supply electricity on time, and sometimes the power is cut off for more than 8 hours every day, not to mention the towns below.
And then there's the road. The roads in the capital Addis Ababa are almost impassable and basically extend in all directions. Although there are many rugged sections, it doesn't seem to affect normal traffic. The towns below the capital are much worse. According to colleagues in network planning, more than 60% of Ethiopia's land area is mountainous, and the road conditions in mountainous areas can only be distinguished by good and bad, which is not good at all. Moreover, most stations need to judge road conditions according to dry season and rainy season. There are roads in dry season and muddy roads in rainy season, so it is impossible to open to traffic.
The progress of the project is directly related to these infrastructures, so there will always be difficulties and setbacks. I can imagine a scene at that time: in the morning, I was awakened from a deep sleep by the alarm clock, washed my face at random, ran downstairs with my computer bag, sat on the minibus, closed my sleepy eyes and had a rest. My colleague who came to the customer's office told me that the people in the bureau had not come yet, so I was naturally relieved. There were many people in the office, so I ignored it. I found a remote corner, took out my computer from my backpack and put it on the table. So I started my day's work with anxious abuse in the room. . . . . .
When your work drives you crazy, you must find ways to vent your repressed soul. Several of our colleagues unanimously chose the bar.
During the period when we confirmed the contract, we sorted out boring data in front of the computer every day. How many nights, when we heard the wind whistling on the plateau outside, we fled from the boring office and computer and ran to a small bar we called OFFICE BAR. The bar always shows ambiguous emotions, sometimes soft and sometimes explosive music, refreshing beer and sexy black mm.
At that time, I seemed to have learned to smoke, not because it was comfortable to smoke in my stomach, but because I felt very awkward. Sometimes when I swallow a cigarette deeply into my throat, I feel dizzy, just like walking on clouds, which is very exciting. So is drinking. After drinking a few cups of bitter wine, you will be in a trance. Wearing sexy MM, shuttling among them, seems to have been greatly satisfied. A bold colleague once took the initiative to invite a beautiful woman out for a walk. The beautiful woman replied gently in her broken English: "No fuck, just talk."
Sometimes when we are lucky, we can see pole dancing and striptease performances, explosive dancing and exaggerated costumes, which always make us involuntarily ignore the difference of skin color. Because life is too monotonous and depressing, we can't extricate ourselves from it.
③ The Forbidden City Hotel in Addis Ababa.
Forbidden City Hotel is a famous China restaurant in Addis Ababa. It's famous for being close to our office and the client's office. ?
The boss is a fat man with a big head and a thick neck. He is often disheveled and smells like lard, but he is smiling. When he saw a pile of fat on his face, his eyes narrowed into a meniscus and his body naturally leaned down. The waiters are all wearing ancient cheongsam, and the beautiful image of the court girl in Manchuria is quite beautiful except that her skin is as black as ever. ?
Every time we go, we always ask the waitress named meru to come and order. She is wearing a chic blue cheongsam with neat hair and a reserved smile on her face. She is a clever girl who can speak a lot of Chinese unexpectedly, so when ordering, she no longer worries about how to speak to the stupid waiter who used to be stupid and arrogant in blunt English. Meiru's appearance is also considered as a smile. ?
There's a dish in the Forbidden City that makes everyone drool, and that's bean curd, which can be bought at stalls anywhere in China. During this long and boring negotiation process, members of the negotiating team headed by the great Alfred frequently went in and out of this attractive place, and often kindly passed the words bean curd to beautiful Meiru's ear, and then Meiru would say a blunt Chinese, "I can't write Chinese characters. You write ",and then pass the menu book, and the buddy who orders food will take the opportunity to touch Meiru's soft and greasy hand and write it down in the book like painting. At this time, Meiru is always admiring this China Chinese character with rapt attention, and her eyes reveal her infinite yearning for China's long-standing culture. This kind of expression can easily remind people of the concubines who serve princes and ministers in costume TV dramas. ?
The business of the Forbidden City is always unprecedented. Every time I come here, if I don't book a room several times in advance, I will be exiled to a noisy hall. At this time, the lovely meru greeted us sadly in blunt Chinese. I could only see that she hurriedly put on the back of each room and suddenly smiled. ?
It seems that every time I come over for dinner, I don't forget to order tofu brain, which is very delicious. Until one time, when we had enough to eat and drink and didn't want to leave, Ah Fu ran to the counter to settle the bill. When he came back, he screamed and stamped his foot, shaking with excitement, even his tone of voice trembled, pointing to everyone's shocked faces as a guide. After that, TM products are not punctual. Fuck it, I actually spent 120 yuan. ?
Therefore, everyone will never order tofu brain in this public place again, provided that Ah Fu pays the bill. Every night, when he arrives at the Forbidden City and slumps in a chair at the dining table, Ah Fu always makes a scene with indignation. Damn it, 120, you can order three portions of fried mutton with onion, and then criticize or insult everyone's previous noble taste in food by name. ?
Of course, one night after a long time, I ate tofu brain again, which was smooth in taste and as pure and precious as nectar. This time Alfred ordered it because Mr. Long paid the bill. ?
Mr. Long is a well-known figure in his office. He enjoys a high honor in major restaurants in China, because he has a large number of meal signing rights every month. Where to eat is his will, not where to eat, but also his mood. He wants to treat people, and no one is qualified to ask where to go, so the owner of the Forbidden City often looks at him more abstractly than we do. In the words of a colleague, it's like meeting your father, even closer than your father. Have you ever seen anyone tremble with laughter when they see their father? ?
Ever since Mr. Long met Meru, who enjoys a high reputation, he can't stop. It seems that all the sign cards have been used in the Forbidden City since that day. On that day, everyone rushed from the station to the Forbidden City, and everyone was tortured like a hungry wolf, including Mr. Long, who had enviable power. As soon as Mr. Long entered the door, he shouted unscrupulously, Oh, my God, where is the boss? Hurry up and prepare some food. ?
At this moment, Meiru appeared, an Ethiopian woman who looks like an oriental beauty. She is smiling, elegant and likable, as good-looking as the pig's boss. At that time, Mr. Long's expression seemed difficult to find a suitable expression, and the air was sultry. ?
Then it was a routine order. Of course, Meiru, who is as quiet as a virgin, has always been the focus of everyone, and Meiru's Chinese has also surprised everyone. Meiru's name was also found out by the great Mr. Long, so from that day on, Mr. Long translated the name of "meatless" and was called hundreds of times a day, which was higher than the frequency of cursing consultants-wheelbarrows.
Humans always give in to the pursuit of happiness. Since childhood, they are all looking for something that can be called pleasure, so that up to now, the chaotic pursuit of happiness has puzzled everyone's eyes, and they often lose what they think is the happiest in regret. What they lose is always so good, and what they can't get is always so eye-catching. ?
When I was busy, I didn't get any pleasure from my work. The smell of black people, the abusive words of the leaders who are flustered, the interruption of chatting with LP QQ, the fatigue of working overtime until the early hours of the morning, the deep sleep in bed and the hateful alarm clock that gets up on time are all like nightmares. ?
Only the sweet smell of tofu aroused an unspeakable pleasure in the body. Of course, the Forbidden City, like Meiru, a Chinese-speaking smile in ancient oriental historical legends, is bound to remain in memory with the aftertaste of tofu. ?
(4) Views on life in Ethiopia
Although it is a holiday state, the project has not progressed, which has more or less affected the mood of holiday rest, but after all, it is still a little free, the office can go or not, and it doesn't matter if the mail processing is slow. But every now and then, I have to listen to the phone. Afraid of something urgent coming suddenly, I had to stay by the computer and think about going out to blow the cool breeze.
Yesterday, I heard that DALY next door was robbed by a black gangster while shopping outside. His wallet and mobile phone were ransacked and he was knocked unconscious. Last week, I heard that a buddy in Burundi accidentally contracted malaria and suffered great pain. The medical conditions are extremely poor, and during the treatment, he suffered great pain and could not have children for three years. I really realize that this is Africa. I really realize that everything in front of me may be just an illusion.
Maybe when you are immersed in your work, life and enjoying the beautiful scenery on the road every day, immeasurable dangers are waiting for you. You have to face them frankly for some reason, and there is no reason to avoid them, because you have to stay here and continue your work and life. A colleague said that he hates two kinds of people most, one is racist and the other is black.
Many brothers who have been in Africa for a long time are strong and optimistic. At least, they showed a very calm, open-minded and tough attitude. They don't seem to have seen any elder brother who is full of thoughts and immersed in love every day. Everyone knows how important a good attitude is in this era.
In fact, everyone has a knot in their heart. As long as he is outside and away from his relatives, it will always be a difficult knot to untie and let go, but everyone will not say it.
Chatting with a buddy the other day, I accidentally said, I don't fucking want to stay outside. It seems that a stone stirred up a thousand waves, and the other party immediately responded strongly. I have long forgotten. I miss my wife, my parents, my sister and my friends in China. I know I'm wrong, so I have to change the subject quickly.
The topic of homesickness is the universal telephone of overseas friends, and it is only a point, even if you are busy with work, watching movies and doing very important things.
Knocking here, my eyes are actually wet, which is really unintentional. Maybe pessimism can't be stopped when it comes. It seems that it hasn't happened for a long time.
This year's mentality seems to have changed a lot unconsciously compared with last year. It can be said that I once lived in a dream. I don't have any complaints and dissatisfaction with the reality, and even I don't care about my buddies who hate working in Africa. I thought they didn't like their present life. You can go back. You chose the road yourself, and others didn't force you. What are you? You got what you wanted, and you are still lamenting those who lost you.
But now I don't have the arrogance and complacency I used to have. I think the nature of this job has not been lost, but I have gained a lot of things I need, such as young and frivolous experiences, such as seeing the world, practicing foreign languages and accumulating experience, such as saving some necessary funds for my future life in a short time; And now I obviously have a feeling that the proportion of loss is getting bigger and bigger, and some things that I didn't care about are getting bigger and bigger.
Everything in the world is not static, just like the earth rotates every day, so I can fully understand my changes. Addis Ababa, a city at the top of Africa, met you in the best years of my life, from strange world to familiarity, from initial suspicion to trust.
Now, I have been away from Ethiopia for more than six years, and I still remember the local scene at that time. Ethiopia's development can not be separated from the financial support of China countries, and also from the struggle and dedication of China employees.
If I hear people talking about Ethiopia now, I will ask with curiosity and expectation, what's going on there now? Is the 4G network built? Has the railway been repaired? Is the power station operating normally?
After all, I left a long and unforgettable memory in this strange land.