Blog Post 24 A Day in the Life...
Blog Post 24
A Day in the Life...
May 9, 2018
Gentle Reader,
As I walk up this entrance to Kara Tepe every day, I do not know what the day will bring. I am pretty much situated in the shop, helping to train new volunteers to take over when I leave. Annie (from Australia) has been a good buddy in the shop, with wit and wisdom, as has Anne (from Denmark), who is one half of the brilliant clown duo.
So, here are a few highlights from my day yesterday...
1. The day began with my seeking out a particular Isobox (housing unit) at Kara Tepe. Late yesterday, a family came in for clothing and shoes. The woman was not particularly petite, as are many of the female residents at Kara Tepe, and, as a result, we had limited clothes and shoes for her to choose from. I had a pair of SAS sandals that I have only worn twice that I thought would fit the Mama, as well as a brand new shirt from Peebles in Madisonville. I thought she would enjoy these, so I found her Isobox among the rock slopes, knocked on her door, and asked her if she would like the sandals and shirt. She had a big smile and hug for me, as she graciously accepted these gifts. This was a beautiful way to begin the day...
2. Later in the morning, I got a little bamboozled by a couple coming into the shop. The male told me his was a new family at Kara Tepe, that he worked as a resident volunteer with Because We Carry (another volunteer organization out of Holland. Gotta love these generous open hearts from The Netherlands), and he was indeed wearing a BWC lanyard. Anyway, our hearts go out to new families, and we try to get them into the shop for supplies ASAP. Sometimes this results in us doubling up on families in the shop in a particular hour, but we work together to handle this increase.
Because we were still working with another family at the time, I could not get into the computer to check on this man's family record in the shop data base. So, I simply double booked him for later in the afternoon.
As it turns out, when the couple arrived later, I checked them in, only to discover that they have a long history in the shop. Numerous notes about being disrespectful and rude, about having to call security. The man had lied to me about being a new family, perhaps capitalizing on my naivete. The couple was very demanding and difficult in the shop. They wanted all new clothes, which we happened to be very short on at the moment. The couple examined many shirts and dresses, throwing them down on shelves or chairs to show their dissatisfaction. I want to emphasize that this is not the usual behavior in the shop by residents at all. Most are gracious and willing to work with us to find them the best clothing and shoes we can for their family.
Anyway, the woman ended up chucking a shirt right at me, displaying her dissatisfaction with the whole process. One of my co-volunteers was shocked to see this kind of disrespectful behavior. At this point, I probably should have called security to have the couple escorted out of the shop. However, they had found a few pieces of clothing to take, and I was almost finished checking them out, so I did not call security. I did , however, notify the director of this negative encounter. The usual practice is for the director to go to the family's Isobox, with an interpreter, to discuss the importance of mutual respect in the shop.
3. I've been helping one of the residents with working on his resume. I see him all the time, as he frequently hangs out in Kara Tepe Square, which is right outside the shop. He is quite fluent in English, but he is always wanting to learn new words.
Recently, he has taken to writing words on the palm of his hand, words he wants to discuss with me. Today's words were CURSE, SOPHISTICATED, and ORATOR. We spent a while processing each word, as he is interested not only in definitions but in correct usage and also shades of meaning/nuance. We had a wonderful conversation on CURSE, and the many meanings of this word. With SOPHISTICATED, I talked about the usual higher level thinking definition, as well as how the word could be applied to someone's style of clothing. He asked if that was like using the word ELEGANT. Yes. His vocabulary is already very large, so I am happy to help his add words to his English repertoire.
At the end of our discussion, he thanked me for being such a good teacher. Feeling the feels...
4. One of our resident translators took it upon herself to clean up the tailor shop. It was loaded with all kinds of excess stuff no longer in use, plus a lot of empty broken down boxes. She completely cleaned the area, leaving more room for the tailors to work their magic.
5. One of the most daunting tasks on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays is ticketing residents for Shop appointments. We rig up the computer to be outside, stringing the power cord through the side wall of the tent. It is very hot outside, and the flies are abundant. Residents tend to cue up along gender lines, so we go back and forth from female to male ques.
One gentleman stood close to me for over an hour, offering translation assistance whenever he could. He placed himself at the end of the line, essentially, to help me out. When I thanked him for his patience, he said the following:
...You need not thank me for my patience. You are here for us, as a volunteer. You give your time freely for us. I am grateful. I can be patient. Thank you..."
And at that point, moved by the kindness and understanding of this man, I could not stop sobbing. Happy tears of gratitude. Thank you.
6. There are challenges here at Kara Tepe, and in my mold ridden apartment, every day. However, I am also receiving so many lessons and learnings while working at Kara Tepe. For lunch, I walk down the hill to Lidl grocery, which is similar to our Aldi in the States. The walk back is on a steady uphill climb, challenging on hot, hot days. Today, there was a man negotiating this journey, with one leg and a set of crutches.
He offered me a new way of seeing, a new perspective on our journeys... both individually and collectively.
My former student, Sarah Strobel, responded to my FB post about this man. Sarah has been without a leg, due to amputation from blood clots, since high school. She is one of the most bad ass women I have ever known. I visited her in the hospital the day after the amputation, and she was already showing me how she was working the muscle of what was left of her leg. She also was part of the dancing chorus in a play at the high school, which she performed from a wheel chair. As she was leaving the stage with the cast, during a middle school performance, her long costume dress got caught under the wheel of her wheelchair, and she was propelled forward from the chair. A collective gasp emerged from the middle school audience. The crew quickly closed the stage curtains to help her out. When the curtains opened, there was Sarah, on the floor of the stage, performing a series of push ups, demonstrating to the audience that she was just fine. A jubilant round of applause rang out from the middle schoolers. Sarah the bad ass, as always.
Years later, Sarah engaged in a program at Sparrow Hospital to lose weight. She succeeded in losing over 100 pounds, which caused her prosthesis ( one of which was for horseback riding) to no longer fit her properly. She ran a post advertising that she was selling many of her possessions in order to afford to buy a new leg. Only in America do we have such wretched situations when it comes to health care. I contacted Sarah and ended up purchasing her guitar from her, to help her accumulate enough money to buy a new, better-fitting leg. A treasure from a beautiful student.
Here's what Sarah said about the man at the Lidl, walking with one leg and crutches:
"...You'd be surprised how strong we are when all we have is one leg and a pair of crutches."
7. I was able to catch a ride to Mytelene Port with Kathy, one of the volunteers. As a result, I saved a bit on cab fare and decided to go to a "real" restaurant instead of one of the quick shops I usually go to for dinner. I was eating at 7pm, which is about two to three hours before Greeks sit down to dinner at the local restaurants.
The owner came over to greet and seat me. I was the only person in the restaurant at this time. He told me everything is homemade at the time of order. That his restaurant is not a "fast food" place, but a "relaxed food" place. Told me he specialized in grilled meats, with no fish on the menu. I decided on the moussaka, Mama's recipe. For a starter, he asked if he could surprise me, asking if I liked spicy. Of course! So, I ended up with this spicy pepper with cheese dip combo, along with grilled pita, and it was outstanding! The moussaka, too, was the best I have ever had... save Pat Triffon's moussaka in Cocoa Beach , Florida!
I shared with the owner that his was the best meal I have had in Greece yet. He asked why I had not been to his restaurant yet. I will definitely return this weekend. And I will be happy to let him surprise me...
8. And then there was the music in Saphho Square, just before the "United Against Fascism" march. See blogs 22 and 23 for details about these.
***************************************************************************
And that's just one day in the life here serving at Kara Tepe. I am rich with blessings and learnings and encounters that I will remember forever. Friends and family have worried that some of the negative experiences here will harden my heart. Not a chance. I think, instead, I am a bit more cautious, but my trust in the humanity of individuals is profoundly strong and unshaken. My experience has always been that most people one meets are filled with kindness and good wishes. Most people who leave the shop everyday do so with hugs and gratitude. Folding the residents and volunteers in my open arms is one of the greatest joys at Kara Tepe... In the rare instances when I must cry, there is always the "crying place" offered to me , so generously, by one of the resident translators.
The electricity just went out in the neighborhood, perhaps in the whole of Lesvos, as sometimes happens. So I will have to close this blog for today.
May you be vulnerable to those who need your love today...
Namaste,
Marianne
A Day in the Life...
May 9, 2018
Gentle Reader,
As I walk up this entrance to Kara Tepe every day, I do not know what the day will bring. I am pretty much situated in the shop, helping to train new volunteers to take over when I leave. Annie (from Australia) has been a good buddy in the shop, with wit and wisdom, as has Anne (from Denmark), who is one half of the brilliant clown duo.
So, here are a few highlights from my day yesterday...
1. The day began with my seeking out a particular Isobox (housing unit) at Kara Tepe. Late yesterday, a family came in for clothing and shoes. The woman was not particularly petite, as are many of the female residents at Kara Tepe, and, as a result, we had limited clothes and shoes for her to choose from. I had a pair of SAS sandals that I have only worn twice that I thought would fit the Mama, as well as a brand new shirt from Peebles in Madisonville. I thought she would enjoy these, so I found her Isobox among the rock slopes, knocked on her door, and asked her if she would like the sandals and shirt. She had a big smile and hug for me, as she graciously accepted these gifts. This was a beautiful way to begin the day...
2. Later in the morning, I got a little bamboozled by a couple coming into the shop. The male told me his was a new family at Kara Tepe, that he worked as a resident volunteer with Because We Carry (another volunteer organization out of Holland. Gotta love these generous open hearts from The Netherlands), and he was indeed wearing a BWC lanyard. Anyway, our hearts go out to new families, and we try to get them into the shop for supplies ASAP. Sometimes this results in us doubling up on families in the shop in a particular hour, but we work together to handle this increase.
Because we were still working with another family at the time, I could not get into the computer to check on this man's family record in the shop data base. So, I simply double booked him for later in the afternoon.
As it turns out, when the couple arrived later, I checked them in, only to discover that they have a long history in the shop. Numerous notes about being disrespectful and rude, about having to call security. The man had lied to me about being a new family, perhaps capitalizing on my naivete. The couple was very demanding and difficult in the shop. They wanted all new clothes, which we happened to be very short on at the moment. The couple examined many shirts and dresses, throwing them down on shelves or chairs to show their dissatisfaction. I want to emphasize that this is not the usual behavior in the shop by residents at all. Most are gracious and willing to work with us to find them the best clothing and shoes we can for their family.
Anyway, the woman ended up chucking a shirt right at me, displaying her dissatisfaction with the whole process. One of my co-volunteers was shocked to see this kind of disrespectful behavior. At this point, I probably should have called security to have the couple escorted out of the shop. However, they had found a few pieces of clothing to take, and I was almost finished checking them out, so I did not call security. I did , however, notify the director of this negative encounter. The usual practice is for the director to go to the family's Isobox, with an interpreter, to discuss the importance of mutual respect in the shop.
3. I've been helping one of the residents with working on his resume. I see him all the time, as he frequently hangs out in Kara Tepe Square, which is right outside the shop. He is quite fluent in English, but he is always wanting to learn new words.
Recently, he has taken to writing words on the palm of his hand, words he wants to discuss with me. Today's words were CURSE, SOPHISTICATED, and ORATOR. We spent a while processing each word, as he is interested not only in definitions but in correct usage and also shades of meaning/nuance. We had a wonderful conversation on CURSE, and the many meanings of this word. With SOPHISTICATED, I talked about the usual higher level thinking definition, as well as how the word could be applied to someone's style of clothing. He asked if that was like using the word ELEGANT. Yes. His vocabulary is already very large, so I am happy to help his add words to his English repertoire.
At the end of our discussion, he thanked me for being such a good teacher. Feeling the feels...
4. One of our resident translators took it upon herself to clean up the tailor shop. It was loaded with all kinds of excess stuff no longer in use, plus a lot of empty broken down boxes. She completely cleaned the area, leaving more room for the tailors to work their magic.
5. One of the most daunting tasks on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays is ticketing residents for Shop appointments. We rig up the computer to be outside, stringing the power cord through the side wall of the tent. It is very hot outside, and the flies are abundant. Residents tend to cue up along gender lines, so we go back and forth from female to male ques.
One gentleman stood close to me for over an hour, offering translation assistance whenever he could. He placed himself at the end of the line, essentially, to help me out. When I thanked him for his patience, he said the following:
...You need not thank me for my patience. You are here for us, as a volunteer. You give your time freely for us. I am grateful. I can be patient. Thank you..."
And at that point, moved by the kindness and understanding of this man, I could not stop sobbing. Happy tears of gratitude. Thank you.
6. There are challenges here at Kara Tepe, and in my mold ridden apartment, every day. However, I am also receiving so many lessons and learnings while working at Kara Tepe. For lunch, I walk down the hill to Lidl grocery, which is similar to our Aldi in the States. The walk back is on a steady uphill climb, challenging on hot, hot days. Today, there was a man negotiating this journey, with one leg and a set of crutches.
He offered me a new way of seeing, a new perspective on our journeys... both individually and collectively.
My former student, Sarah Strobel, responded to my FB post about this man. Sarah has been without a leg, due to amputation from blood clots, since high school. She is one of the most bad ass women I have ever known. I visited her in the hospital the day after the amputation, and she was already showing me how she was working the muscle of what was left of her leg. She also was part of the dancing chorus in a play at the high school, which she performed from a wheel chair. As she was leaving the stage with the cast, during a middle school performance, her long costume dress got caught under the wheel of her wheelchair, and she was propelled forward from the chair. A collective gasp emerged from the middle school audience. The crew quickly closed the stage curtains to help her out. When the curtains opened, there was Sarah, on the floor of the stage, performing a series of push ups, demonstrating to the audience that she was just fine. A jubilant round of applause rang out from the middle schoolers. Sarah the bad ass, as always.
Years later, Sarah engaged in a program at Sparrow Hospital to lose weight. She succeeded in losing over 100 pounds, which caused her prosthesis ( one of which was for horseback riding) to no longer fit her properly. She ran a post advertising that she was selling many of her possessions in order to afford to buy a new leg. Only in America do we have such wretched situations when it comes to health care. I contacted Sarah and ended up purchasing her guitar from her, to help her accumulate enough money to buy a new, better-fitting leg. A treasure from a beautiful student.
Here's what Sarah said about the man at the Lidl, walking with one leg and crutches:
"...You'd be surprised how strong we are when all we have is one leg and a pair of crutches."
7. I was able to catch a ride to Mytelene Port with Kathy, one of the volunteers. As a result, I saved a bit on cab fare and decided to go to a "real" restaurant instead of one of the quick shops I usually go to for dinner. I was eating at 7pm, which is about two to three hours before Greeks sit down to dinner at the local restaurants.
The owner came over to greet and seat me. I was the only person in the restaurant at this time. He told me everything is homemade at the time of order. That his restaurant is not a "fast food" place, but a "relaxed food" place. Told me he specialized in grilled meats, with no fish on the menu. I decided on the moussaka, Mama's recipe. For a starter, he asked if he could surprise me, asking if I liked spicy. Of course! So, I ended up with this spicy pepper with cheese dip combo, along with grilled pita, and it was outstanding! The moussaka, too, was the best I have ever had... save Pat Triffon's moussaka in Cocoa Beach , Florida!
I shared with the owner that his was the best meal I have had in Greece yet. He asked why I had not been to his restaurant yet. I will definitely return this weekend. And I will be happy to let him surprise me...
8. And then there was the music in Saphho Square, just before the "United Against Fascism" march. See blogs 22 and 23 for details about these.
***************************************************************************
And that's just one day in the life here serving at Kara Tepe. I am rich with blessings and learnings and encounters that I will remember forever. Friends and family have worried that some of the negative experiences here will harden my heart. Not a chance. I think, instead, I am a bit more cautious, but my trust in the humanity of individuals is profoundly strong and unshaken. My experience has always been that most people one meets are filled with kindness and good wishes. Most people who leave the shop everyday do so with hugs and gratitude. Folding the residents and volunteers in my open arms is one of the greatest joys at Kara Tepe... In the rare instances when I must cry, there is always the "crying place" offered to me , so generously, by one of the resident translators.
The electricity just went out in the neighborhood, perhaps in the whole of Lesvos, as sometimes happens. So I will have to close this blog for today.
May you be vulnerable to those who need your love today...
Namaste,
Marianne
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