Most weeks our Saturday is comprised of a set of activities connecting us to our very local community. This week, we took a turn into a new community and ended up sitting at a new table.
A short drive in East Dallas took us to Ethiopia. Really.
First, though, we made our walk to the farmers market near the Methodist church. Charlie Jalapeño for hot sauce, Highway 19 for jelly, and Dark Chocolate for, well, chocolate. and Carmen, the potter, with a special gift of a Cairn Christmas ornament. I guess we are getting to be known.
We stuffed our purchases in my shoulder bag and headed off to Well-Grounded Coffee for a cup of Joe and some music.
We lucked out as Bill was playing guitar this week. We sat for an hour listening to his “colors of Christmas” concert (Blue Christmas, White Christmas…you get the idea). At a break we talked Gordon Lightfoot (specifically “Beautiful”) and the art of song writing.
Then Sal and I headed home to put together our Christmas boxes for the kids.
Later in the afternoon, I met Monica, a hiking and biking buddy. Since she had spent some time in her 20s in Saudi and the Mideast, we opted to meet at Sheba’s for Ethiopian food.
That’s when it got interesting.
This is a cuisine that you eat by scooping the items with a soft bread (for us Westerners, the gracefully provided a fork).Monica, who is vegetarian, found an appropriate menu item. I found a meat dish in a delicious sauce. As we were about to finish up the cook came from behind the counter and engaged us in conversation. She was dressed in traditional garb and a woman of maybe 40. She told us she had learned the art of Ethiopian cooking at her mother’s side in their home kitchen. Business was good enough that the restaurant was expanding and moving to a bigger, more convenient location.
Monica and I opted to stay and continue our conversation after the bill had been collected. I was a nice environment, almost like someone’s kitchen table. Now, I admit we were the only Westerners in the room, but that’s what made it so much more inviting. We felt welcome.
We are both looking for community. This was a great place to start this journey.
Relentless
