Eritrea, Amazonia

[asakiyume]

Things have been stressful around here--there was a health scare for a family member, but they're quite fine now, happy to say.

But there are a number of nice things, too. Last week I took R to a doctor's appointment, and afterward, we had a meal together, including some siwa (also romanized suwa), a Eritrean homemade fermented drink. I think I've posted about it before, but I can't find the post, so maybe not? Maybe I just talked to some of you about it. R has brewed it in a blue Lego container, one that once upon a time held those bigger-style Lego bricks. Now it contains a modestly alcoholic drink! And she has a gorgeous handmade strainer for it. If you click through to a larger size of the photo, you can see the mesh.



And I'm going back to Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia! By myself, leaving this coming weekend and coming back the following weekend. I'm terrible at preparing appropriate presents and gifts and things, but I have some stuff like maple syrup, locally made earrings, and picture books, and I'm happy with these clothespins, that I decorated myself. I hang out laundry, and they hang out laundry, and I like decorated, useful things, so maybe they will too. I have three households I'm bringing stuff to, so these will be divided into three sets. (This photo is click-through-able too, if you want to see it larger.)



Truth is, at this state of pre-trip, I'm in the dying-of-anxiety phase, but it'll be fine once I get there. I hope!

Comments

[sovay]

Things have been stressful around here--there was a health scare for a family member, but they're quite fine now, happy to say.

*hugs*

I am glad everyone is all right.

And I'm going back to Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia! By myself, leaving this coming weekend and coming back the following weekend. I'm terrible at preparing appropriate presents and gifts and things, but I have some stuff like maple syrup, locally made earrings, and picture books, and I'm happy with these clothespins, that I decorated myself.

Travel safe! Your clothespins are beautiful!

[asakiyume]

I am glad too, very!

And thank you. I'll wrap myself in your protective wishes. And thank you for enjoying the clothespins!

[sovay]

And thank you for enjoying the clothespins!

I don't even hang out laundry and I would be delighted if a friend rocked up to my house bearing them! Stars! Moons! Cat-faces! Nudibranchs?

[asakiyume]

nudibranches --probably subconsciously! I sometimes started out not knowing exactly what I was painting.

[sartorias]

VERY glad the health scare was a non-event! Have a great time!

The clothes pins are adorable.

[asakiyume]

We're all so, so relieved.

Thank you! ^_^

[rachelmanija]

I LOVE the clothespins.

[asakiyume]

Thank you! Now I'm just trying to seal them so that when it rains, they don't leak paint onto people's clothes 😂

[light_of_summer]

Those clothespins are gloriously cheerful—thanks for sharing them with us!

To me, they seem like a friendly reminder that we can choose to enjoy at least some parts of even very routine & repetitive tasks, which is an excellent reminder to have! \😌/

Two technical questions:

1. Are they wooden clothespins, or plastic?
2. What sort of paint did you use?

🌷🌷🌷

I'm glad your family member's health scare turned out to be only a scare—but I'm sorry it caused (or contributed to) an extra stressful time.

I hope your trip to Leticia goes SUPER well and enjoyably! (Also, your choice of presents sounds good to me!)

While you're preparing, may I suggest that you take a few deep, slow breaths for yourself? And maybe put on some calming music?

[Friendly virtual hugs offered! 🤗 Bon Voyage!]

P.S.

[light_of_summer]

P.S.: That strainer is indeed, beautiful!

P.S. #2: I just looked up siwa in Wikipedia—interesting to learn a bit about it, and about the traditional customs surrounding it. I wonder how close it is to what the ancient Egyptians drank...

Re: P.S.

[asakiyume]

Isn't it? In the past, R showed me how toasted injera is one of the ingredients in the fermentation mix. There are other things, but I don't know what they are! She showed them to me labeled in Tigrinya. So I found the article in Wikipedia really informative too.

[asakiyume]

I am definitely stopping for some deep breaths, and they do help!

The clothespins are wood. One of the things I'll be participating in is a pick-up-plastic thing, so I definitely didn't want to be bringing in more plastic.

And yeah, I like that we can enjoy repetitive tasks. I think we can enjoy a lot of stuff when the engine of capitalism isn't demanding more, more, more all the time.

Hugs accepted! Thank you!

[raven]

They're so pretty! I'm sure your friends will love them, I hope you have a fantastic time.

[asakiyume]

Thank you <3 I hope to, and I hope to come back with photos and stories to share ... in slow time.

[athenais]

Aw, have a great time!

[asakiyume]

Thank you ^_^ I will do my best! 😤<--using this to signal determination, in this case ;-)

[yamamanama]

Sounds like a good trip.

[asakiyume]

Hey I was thinking of you! Good to see you around. I should get over to your DW page.

I was remembering when I went to Timor-Leste and I logged into your page so you'd have a page view from Timor-Leste.

And thanks--I hope it will be.

[genarti]

I'm very glad everyone is all right, and oh, what a wonderful trip! I hope your travels are smooth and your visiting is absolutely delightful. The clothespins are fantabulous.

[asakiyume]

Thank you! The pre-travel anxiety is intense, but I believe it will be a wonderful trip.

[osprey_archer]

I love the decorated clothes pins! And maple syrup is so very New England, surely it will make a perfect hostess gift. Have a great trip!

[asakiyume]

Thank you! I'm hoping/thinking it's stuff they couldn't get locally.

[mallorys_camera]

Safe and fabulous journey! That pre-trip anxiety is a type of magic that ensures everything will go well! 😀

[asakiyume]

If that's the case, then my visit will be beyond fabulous, because I've been SO VERY ANXIOUS.

[rimturse]

I am glad they are okay. Hope you can all relax now. :)

And those clothespins just make me happy. Such a great little treat for when you do laundry.

[asakiyume]

Thank you, I checked in on them and they're still doing great <3

I'm relaxed about that--but too, too anxious about the trip! But I have to trust I'll get over it.

[rimturse]

Fingers crossed for a smooth and lovely trip. If you're like me, you'll hopefully feel less stressed once you're either on your way or upon arrival. :)

[asakiyume]

I am like that too! If I can just keep it in mind...

[med_cat]

Have a great trip!

And these are very thoughtful gifts--I'm sure they'll be appreciated!

[asakiyume]

At this point I'm thinking of hiding under a table rather than getting on the plane, but probably if I can make myself get on one, I will end up having a good time! (And thank you ^_^)

[med_cat]

Understandable, but, as you say--it'll be worth it ;)

[wayfaringwordhack]

What wonderfully whimsical clothespins! LOVE them and I am sure your friends will, too. Safe travels and great times ahead, friend! *hugs*

[asakiyume]

Thank you; these last few days before travel are the hardest -_-

How is J doing? Think of him every day....

[wayfaringwordhack]

Been thinking of you especially hard this afternoon. Will email.

Julien is doing well. He is a bit overwhelmed right now with having to finalize what we will freight home. It is a lot to deal with, and he has to do it alone.

I hope your travels are smooth and that you enjoy doing your trip, even alone or especially alone, knowing that you can fully concentrate on what kind of voyage you want to have.

[asakiyume]

💛💛💛 You're one of my first guides in handling trips like this. Love you 😘