Today was a bit of a dark day, lit up only by our monthly social gathering at the Dutch embassy. The dark matter comes at me from many sides, some minor some big. At home I can’t seem to get the letter Z right on my embroidery sampler and have started over several times (minor), at work I am struggling with strained relationships (big), in the city there are security chatter and rumors (could be big or nothing) and outside Afghanistan I watch the protest in Cairo turning ugly (huge).
The light matter comes, as usual, from people. The ones who went with me to the Dutch event (none are Dutch) and the people I met there, old friends and new acquaintances.
I spent some time with young M, a fluent Dutch speakers of Afghan descent and a student at one of Amsterdam’s universities. He had brought his wife (22) and baby boy (8 months). The wife and I could only smile at each other as our languages did not overlap. All we could do was repeat a few fragments of English and Dutch greeting words in the hi and bye category. I tried my limited Dari on her but as a Pashto speaker she understood little and kept begging her husband with her kohl-lined eyes to interpret my words. I am not quite ready to start learning Pashto though – she will master my mother tongue long before I will master hers (if ever).
These days, on my elliptical treadmill, I listen to Candide by Voltaire, also a dark and light theme, despite Pangloss’ mantra that all is for the best.
Sylvia's Journal 
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