Myself and other colleagues from some media organizations in Ghana settled for a dinner at a plush restaurant after a long day's work. A lot of the team “ISRAEL CREW” absented themselves because they were growing tired of the menu which often included egg plant and a lot of other things made from olives.
It wasn’t so bad for me though because there were days with rice, shrimps, pasta and other familiar menu.
While some team members had some challenge with the menu, they sure were impressed with the quality of service from the workers of the restaurant.
Unlike their colleagues here in Ghana, the waiters in this restaurant in Israel do not act as if they are doing their customers a favour.
Meet 27 year old Iskas Fantia, an Ethiopian brought up under Jewish traditions in Jerusalem. Iskas is a waiter and he likes basket ball, music, politics and is aspiring to be a building engineer.
Iskas was one of the pleasant and diligent waiters who served us in this restaurant.
Now I must say, Iskas is a very handsome young man. “Why did I choose to interview Iskas?” everyone at the table wondered. My friends Moses and a few others teased me with Iskas, that I was interested in him. And oh yes! I was. There’s no denying that. There was something about him. I found him curious and soon after he started serving our meals I asked for an interview and he obliged.
I won’t share his relationship status, apologies ladies. Say shame on me if you like.
Iskas arrived in Jerusalem with his parents in 1991 but his parents are now separated. They were like many Jews around the world returning to their homeland to start life all over under the Jewish sovereignty.
Midway through the interview, I had to remind Iskas that I was the interviewer because he kept asking me questions about myself, wearing a beautiful “baby face smile.”
Now most male Jews wear the kippa but Iskas who seemed rather cool with a weird mixture of sophistication (because of his specs) and funky aura said kippa was not his thing.
He wore a pair of dark blue jeans and a black shirt folded to the elbows like president Obama and a white sweat shirt. He had an apron tied to his waist and sat next to me with his legs crossed showing his white socks in brown shoes. He appeared a bit tensed but when my big mouth asked he insisted he was not nervous, but fine. As he relaxed into the chat he told me about being a Jew, and how together with his three sisters, four brothers and mother they visited the synagogue occasionally.
Iskas said to me, “I don’t think there is a God”. Now that struck me. I wondered what an unbelieving man was doing in such a religious place. He said he hadn’t said to his family to avoid making them uncomfortable. His reasons,…science, history (especially the holocaust) and numerous world problems.
Away from religion and he shared his strong views about politics. It was simple. Let me paraphrase. There are very corrupt politicians in Israel and many of them go to prison and that’s bad because it means a lot of the Israeli people are corrupt. Benjamin Netenyahu should hopefully not be re-elected. He focuses on security and takes care of wealthy Israelis while the rich-poor gap continues to widen.
Iskas talks about the future… he says life in Israel is tough. He doesn’t earn much and he desperately wants to pursue university education after completing high school some years back. He hopes to return to Ethiopia someday to live a better life.
This has been my diaries from the Holy Land of Israel. Many thanks to the Ministry of Tourism, Israel and the Embassy of Israel, Accra and One People Travels. I can’t forget our amazing tour guide Yuri, thanks.
Date: 05-03-2015
05-03-15
Date: 05-03-2015
Date: 05-03-2015
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