Nariah
Seth Bent
Cultural Experience
It was about noon on a Thursday, one of my two days a week when I can actually sleep in, when I heard a knocking on my door. I woke up, just in my basketball shorts and a long t-shirt I walked to the door to see who it was. When I looked out the door, I didn't see anybody. I took a step outside and there was a man standing politely on the front steps at least about two yards from the door mat. An interesting looking fellow. He said "good morning sire, does the Rasta live here?". I thought for a moment... and I must have looked confused to him because he continued, breaking the silence of my pondering of the question; "The Rasta, Rastafari man the 9th star, Lion of Judah come now, blessed, that be my flag hanging up right there in your window!". He pointed and I turned. He had been talking about the flag that is indeed the flag of Emperor Haile Selassie's reign in Ethiopia during the 70s, the Rastas' prophet.
I then proceeded to explain to him no there is not person in the house who practices the Rastafarian religion. The man looked some what dissapointed. He looked down and was about to turn to go, when I decided to explain myself. I told him how I had travelled to Ethiopia last fall with my old girlfriend. How we had stayed in a small office and worked with children 7 days a week. His face was enlightened. He asked me where, and I told him Addis Ababa, which turned out to be his home town! We exchanged names, his being Nariah. We spoke of my travels to the northern part of the country, Lalibela, Axum, Bahir Dar, he was thrilled and jumped at the names of each of these cities. I invited him inside, for I wanted to show him my photos of the trip, but he seemed nervous at the request. So I told him I would bring the photos out for him to see, he was pleased with this alternative.
So I explained to him the photos, with him smiling a grin that covered his place, I could see the longing in his eyes to return to his home. He asked to take some of the photos, if he could have them. I really didn't know what to say, but I denied the request. I told him that the only few photos I had then and there were digitally printed and not from my computer which was entirely true. He said ok, but he would return to my house for photos later that were on their way in the mail. I laughed at this remark but put forth no negative vibes, for he was dead serious. I shook his hand and chuckled to myself as he walked away. I love having people so interested in my trips, true interest, not just a quick five minute conversation at a party or something when people say things like "awesome dude! You must've had fun! So are you drinking beers tonight?!". Nariah showed honest interest and looked carefully at each and every photo asking me questions about the faces, the locations, etc.
Now I am working at Taco Del Mar. A rinky dink little taco joint down on Cooper Point Rd. About two days after meeting Nariah I was working, and somebody came through the door hollering "I need my rice and beans boooyy! My rice and beeaanns!". All six or so people in line, including me, looked over to the entrance, and sure enough, there stood Nariah. He hollered to me saying he had no idea I worked here, I told him yes I do. Then he paused, didn't move a muscle, I thought he was about to faint or something. But suddenly he broke out dancing and singing the lyrics to a Peter Tosh song that I had put on the radio station. He walked past all the people in line, and each one he passed I could see them either bobbing their head, dancing even, or just swaying. It was a taco dance party! I hope Nariah will continue to make my life more interesting. I expect him back here any day now, or I shall see him around. I love making new friends, especially from across the world from a culture that I am familiar with, or not familiar with at all. My father always says, "It is a small world".
Cultural Experience
It was about noon on a Thursday, one of my two days a week when I can actually sleep in, when I heard a knocking on my door. I woke up, just in my basketball shorts and a long t-shirt I walked to the door to see who it was. When I looked out the door, I didn't see anybody. I took a step outside and there was a man standing politely on the front steps at least about two yards from the door mat. An interesting looking fellow. He said "good morning sire, does the Rasta live here?". I thought for a moment... and I must have looked confused to him because he continued, breaking the silence of my pondering of the question; "The Rasta, Rastafari man the 9th star, Lion of Judah come now, blessed, that be my flag hanging up right there in your window!". He pointed and I turned. He had been talking about the flag that is indeed the flag of Emperor Haile Selassie's reign in Ethiopia during the 70s, the Rastas' prophet.
I then proceeded to explain to him no there is not person in the house who practices the Rastafarian religion. The man looked some what dissapointed. He looked down and was about to turn to go, when I decided to explain myself. I told him how I had travelled to Ethiopia last fall with my old girlfriend. How we had stayed in a small office and worked with children 7 days a week. His face was enlightened. He asked me where, and I told him Addis Ababa, which turned out to be his home town! We exchanged names, his being Nariah. We spoke of my travels to the northern part of the country, Lalibela, Axum, Bahir Dar, he was thrilled and jumped at the names of each of these cities. I invited him inside, for I wanted to show him my photos of the trip, but he seemed nervous at the request. So I told him I would bring the photos out for him to see, he was pleased with this alternative.
So I explained to him the photos, with him smiling a grin that covered his place, I could see the longing in his eyes to return to his home. He asked to take some of the photos, if he could have them. I really didn't know what to say, but I denied the request. I told him that the only few photos I had then and there were digitally printed and not from my computer which was entirely true. He said ok, but he would return to my house for photos later that were on their way in the mail. I laughed at this remark but put forth no negative vibes, for he was dead serious. I shook his hand and chuckled to myself as he walked away. I love having people so interested in my trips, true interest, not just a quick five minute conversation at a party or something when people say things like "awesome dude! You must've had fun! So are you drinking beers tonight?!". Nariah showed honest interest and looked carefully at each and every photo asking me questions about the faces, the locations, etc.
Now I am working at Taco Del Mar. A rinky dink little taco joint down on Cooper Point Rd. About two days after meeting Nariah I was working, and somebody came through the door hollering "I need my rice and beans boooyy! My rice and beeaanns!". All six or so people in line, including me, looked over to the entrance, and sure enough, there stood Nariah. He hollered to me saying he had no idea I worked here, I told him yes I do. Then he paused, didn't move a muscle, I thought he was about to faint or something. But suddenly he broke out dancing and singing the lyrics to a Peter Tosh song that I had put on the radio station. He walked past all the people in line, and each one he passed I could see them either bobbing their head, dancing even, or just swaying. It was a taco dance party! I hope Nariah will continue to make my life more interesting. I expect him back here any day now, or I shall see him around. I love making new friends, especially from across the world from a culture that I am familiar with, or not familiar with at all. My father always says, "It is a small world".