Isn't today supposed to be a joyous day? - the longest day of the year (in the northern hemisphere.) Celebrating and dancing around maypoles and things? I am afraid that is not happening here. I have not written an entry in a while because I am at a loss for words. If it weren't for the Mondial I am not sure where I would be mentally.
This morning the taxi dropped me off close to my home. As I walked past my neighbor's house, her front door was open and I heard someone inside crying. It was heartrending sobs. I whispered her name and she appeared around the door with a slice of toast and cheese. "Marika" I said, "Are you OK?"
"Comme ci, comme ca" she answered. That is how everyone answers that question now, in whatever language they speak. Not one person says good - no one, nader.
"I thought you were crying."
"The television," she said. She was watching a soap opera.
That was a relief - "comme ci, comme ca" I can handle. Heartrending sobs - not so easy.
Terrible dark times all the time now, but even worse on today's solstice.
