离开梅尔卡托：希望的代价

英文文本

Addis Ababa raised me Dusty streets and injera Dubai was the next hard lesson All glass towers and cold cash I came trying to lift my sisters Carrying their hopes in my worn bag But nobody handed me much, just closed doors and empty promises I kept going for the little girls back home Watching how I move Their faces in my mind flicker In the desert heat I made it through, I found my, found my footing On the polished marble floor At 5.50 in the morning, Mercato was already awake.

Selamahuit stood at the bus stop with her small bag and watched the sellers open their stalls.

She was 21.

She had finished high school and for two years she had worked in a Chinese shoe company for 4500 bir a month.

The money was not enough, but it was regular.

She lived with her mother, Almaz, and her two younger sisters in two small rooms.

Her father had left long ago, so no one else paid the rent or the food.

Every morning Selamawit passed the same billboard.

It showed a tall hotel and a woman in a white dress.

The billboard promised work in Dubai and a good salary.

Selamawit looked at it every day and did the same math.

Rent, food, school for her sisters, bus, shoes.

If she saved every extra bir, how many months for a ticket?

The number changed in her head.

Then there was the visa, the agent, the first weeks before salary.

She did not know those costs, and that was the problem.

The dream had a price, but she could not see the whole price yet.

She only knew she could not stay at 4,500 bir forever.

The bus came, and Selamuit got on.

She had not told her mother yet, but she had already decided to leave the factory.

She wanted to ask Hana about Dubai.

Mama, sit down.

I have to tell you something.

You're late.

The girls are asleep.

What happened?

I quit the factory today.

You did what?

I quit, and I'm going to Dubai.

Hana found me a job in a salon.

A real salon.

Hana?

The one who came back with a new phone?

Yes.

She says the salary is 1,500 dirhams.

That's more than three times what I make here.

And the ticket?

The visa?

The first month before you get paid?

Hana is handling it.

She knows the agent.

Agents take money.

We don't have money.

I know, but I can't stay here.

The rent is late.

The girls need shoes.

The school wants the fee next month.

So you run?

Do you know what happened to Tazita?

She went to Saudi.

Two years, no call.

Her mother still lights a candle.

And Sineet, she came back sick and with nothing.

I'm not Tazita.

I'm not Sineet.

Every girl says that.

Hana says the salon is in Dira.

She has a friend there.

I can share a room.

Share a room with who?

Strangers?

You don't know them.

Hana knows them.

She says they Ethiopian Hana says Hana says what does Hana get She gets a commission That normal Normal for her not for you Hana says I will wash hair and do nails.

Clean work.

Not like the factory.

Clean work in a strange country.

Mama, I will send you half my salary every month.

Half.

You can pay the school.

You can pay the Equib.

The Equib is not a bank.

It's the neighbor's money.

If you don't pay, they come to me.

I will pay.

I promise.

Promises are easy in the kitchen.

I'm not asking for your permission.

I'm telling you.

I already quit.

Then why are you telling me?

Because you are my mother and because I am afraid.

Afraid is good.

Afraid keeps you alive.

I need your help.

The ticket, the visa, Hana needs 80,000 beer for the agent.

80,000?

I have 12,000 saved.

I need the rest.

You want me to give you the Equib money?

The money for the girls' school?

It's a loan.

I'll pay it back from Dubai.

If you don't come back?

I will come back.

With money.

You don't know that.

I know I can't stay here.

Mama, look at me.

I'm 21.

I work all day and I have nothing.

I want to help you.

I want the girls to finish school.

Do you think I don't want that?

Then help me.

I have 20,000 beer.

It's for the Equib.

The women will ask.

Tell them it's for the shop.

I don't lie.

Then tell them nothing, please.

You will send half.

Half.

Every month.

And you will call me every week.

Every week.

If you don't call, I will go to Hana's mother.

I will call.

Take the money.

Keep it hidden.

Don't tell the girls.

Don't tell anyone.

Thank you, Mama.

Don't thank me.

Just come back.

I will.

Hana, I came as fast as I could.

You said you had news.

I do.

Sit down.

You look tired.

I am tired.

I quit the factory.

My mother gave me the Akub money.

Now I need the truth.

The truth is good.

The salon is in Daira, a cosmetic salon.

Clean work, good customers.

What will I do there?

Hair, nails, maybe simple makeup.

They will teach you.

The salary is 1500 dirhams.

Every month?

Every month, plus tips if you are polite.

And the visa?

Three weeks, maybe less.

The agent is fast.

How much for the agent?

80,000 burr.

80,000?

Hana, that is a lot.

It is Dubai.

Nothing is cheap.

But after two months, you will earn it back.

I have 32,000.

It is everything.

My savings and my mother's money.

Give me what you have now.

I will talk to the agent.

He knows me.

And the rest?

I will fix it.

You are like my sister.

I don't want you to lose this chance.

My mother is afraid.

She says, girls go and do not come back.

Girls who don't listen get problems.

You will listen to me.

Don't talk to strangers at the airport.

Don't sign papers you don't understand.

Keep your money close.

Will I get a receipt for this money?

A receipt?

Salamowit, we grew up on the same street.

Since when do we need paper between us?

Your mother says always take paper.

Your mother has never left Mercado.

This is how it works here.

The agent doesn't give receipts.

He gives visas.

So everything is arranged?

Everything is arranged.

The salon is waiting.

The visa is coming.

You just need to be ready.

When do I pay the rest?

Later, before you fly.

I will call you.

Promise me, Hana.

No surprises.

No surprises You will send money home and your mother will be proud I promised her half my salary every month Then you will send half You will see In one year, you will laugh at this day.

I hope so.

Here is the money.

Count it.

I trust you, but I will count it.

Good.

32,000.

That is all I have.

It is enough for now.

Keep your phone on.

I will call you about the visa.

And the salon?

What is the name?

I will send you everything.

The name, the address, the agent's number.

Don't worry.

I am not worried.

I'm just...

I don't know.

That's normal.

Go home, pack light, be ready in three weeks.

Three weeks.

Three weeks.

And, Salamowit, don't tell people too much.

Everyone will want a favor.

I won't.

Thank you, Hana.

Don't thank me yet.

Thank me in Dubai.

Six weeks later, Hana came back to Mercado with a new phone and a tourist visa, not the work visa she had promised.

She said the rules changed at the last minute, and that in Dubai, everything was arranged on the ground, not on paper.

Silamawit wanted to shout, but Hana already had the money, and the flight was the only thing left that felt real.

She packed one bag, took $200, and the number Hana gave her, and flew to Dubai alone.

At the airport, nobody answered that number.

She called twice, then sat on a plastic chair until the hall almost emptied.

A taxi finally drove her to Dara, past gold shops and narrow streets that smelled of cardamom and dust.

The room was above a shop, rented by Messeret, a friend of a friend of Hana's.

Sela Mawit paid the driver, held her bag against her chest, and climbed the dark stairs.

Her tourist visa was good for 20 days.

She had no salon, no salary, and no one waiting for her at the top.

This is the room.

Your bed is there, by the window.

The bathroom is at the end of the hall.

We share it with two other women.

It is smaller than I thought.

Dubai is small when you have little money.

Sit.

You look like you are going to fall.

I have been awake for two days.

Then listen first, sleep later.

Did Hana tell you the name of the salon?

She said she would send it.

She said everything was arranged.

There is no salon.

I asked around.

There is no salon with that name in Dara.

Hana gave you a story.

She is my friend.

We grew up on the same street.

Friends get commissioned too.

She brought you here.

Someone paid her for that.

Maybe the agent.

Maybe the salon that does not exist.

I gave her all my money.

How much?

Everything.

My mother's Ekub money.

80,000 beer.

Then she is not your friend.

She is a business.

And the work visa?

Look at your passport.

What does it say?

Tourist.

20 days.

Tourist visa.

You cannot work on it.

If they catch you, you pay a fine.

Maybe jail.

Maybe they send you home and you cannot come back.

Hana said the work visa was coming.

Hana said.

Hana said.

Hana is gone.

You are here.

You have 20 days.

What can I do?

First, count what you have.

Money, phone, passport.

$200.

That is one week.

Maybe 10 days if you eat like me.

How do you live?

I pay 700 dirhams for this bed.

Food is 200.

Every month.

I clean houses.

Cash.

No paper.

My visa expired eight months ago.

I am here, but I am not here.

You understand?

You are illegal.

I am invisible.

There is a difference.

You still have 20 days.

Use them.

For what?

A woman in Al-Barsha is looking for a cleaner.

She wants someone to live in the house.

Permanent.

A cleaner?

It is work.

It is a room.

it is not a salon what is her name madam fatima she has money she has a big villa She also has rules What rules She will ask for your passport For the visa she will say For the visa That is what they say Then the passport stays in her drawer, not in your hand.

For how long?

Until she decides.

That is the problem.

When you give your passport, you are not a guest.

You are property.

I can't go home.

My mother borrowed money for me.

My sisters need school fees.

I know.

That is why I'm telling you the truth.

Not to scare you.

To make you ready.

Is there another way?

There is always another way.

Not always a good one.

You can go to the Ethiopian church.

You can ask for help.

You can sleep here and look for cash work.

But you have 20 days.

And if I don't find work before the visa ends?

Then you are like me.

Invisible.

I don't want to be invisible.

Then take the house.

Take the room.

Keep your head down and count every dirham.

Give me the number.

Think tonight.

Sleep.

In the morning you will still be hungry, but you will think better.

I am thinking now.

Give me the number.

Okay, but remember what I said.

The passport is not paper.

It is your door.

I will remember.

And, Salamowit, do not tell her you have a friend here.

Do not tell her you know me.

Why?

Because then she knows you have somewhere to go.

If she knows that, she will not keep you.

She will throw you out.

So, I'm alone.

You are not alone.

You are with me.

But she cannot know that.

Okay.

I will call her tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

First sleep.

You will need a clear head.

Messerette?

Yes?

Thank you for not lying to me.

Don't thank me, just be careful.

I wore back.

But nobody handed me much.

Just closed doors and empty promises.

I kept going for the little girls back home.

Watching how I move.

Their faces in my mind flicker.

In the desert heat I made it through, I found my, found my footing On the polished marble floor Addis Ababa raised me Dusty streets and injera Dubai was the next hard lesson All glass towers and cold cash I came trying to lift my sisters, carrying their hopes in my worn bag.

But nobody handed me much, just closed doors and empty promises.

I kept going for the little girls back home, watching how I move.

Their faces in my eyes A flicker in the desert heat I made it through, I found my, found my footing On the polished marble floor

本语言文本

亚的斯亚贝巴养育了我

尘土飞扬的街道和英吉拉

迪拜是下一个惨痛的教训

全是玻璃高楼和冰冷的现金

我来是为了帮衬我的姐妹们

把我破旧的包里装满她们的希望

但没人给我多少，只有紧闭的门和空洞的承诺

为了家乡的小女孩们，我坚持下去

看着我怎么走

她们的脸在我脑海中闪烁

在沙漠的酷热中

我挺过来了，我找到了我的，找到了我的立足点

在抛光的大理石地板上

早上5点50分，梅尔卡托已经醒了。

塞拉玛维特提着她的小包站在公交车站

看着商贩们打开摊位。

她21岁。她高中毕业，两年来在一家中国鞋业公司工作，每月4500比尔。

钱不够，但很稳定。

她和母亲阿尔玛兹以及两个妹妹住在两个小房间里。

她父亲很久以前就离开了，所以没有别人付房租或买食物。

每天早上塞拉玛维特都经过同一块广告牌。

上面展示着一座高楼酒店和一个穿白裙的女人。

广告牌承诺在迪拜有工作和不错的薪水。

塞拉玛维特每天都看着它，做着同样的计算。

房租、食物、妹妹们的学费、公交车、鞋子。

如果她把每一分多余的钱都存起来，要多少个月才能买一张票？

这个数字在她脑中不断变化。

然后是签证、中介、发工资前的头几周。

她不知道那些花费，这就是问题所在。

梦想是有代价的，但她还看不到全部的代价。

她只知道她不能永远拿着4500比尔。

公交车来了，塞拉玛维特上了车。

她还没告诉母亲，但她已经决定离开工厂。

她想问问哈娜关于迪拜的事。

妈妈，坐下。我有事要告诉你。

你回来晚了。女孩们睡着了。发生什么事了？

我今天辞了工厂的工作。

你做了什么？

我辞职了，我要去迪拜。

哈娜给我找了一份沙龙的工作。一家真正的沙龙。

哈娜？那个带着新手机回来的？

是的。她说薪水是1500迪拉姆。那是我在这里挣的三倍多。

那机票呢？签证呢？发工资前的第一个月呢？

哈娜在处理。她认识那个中介。

中介要收钱。我们没钱。

我知道，但我不能留在这里。房租拖欠了。女孩们需要鞋子。学校下个月要交学费。

所以你就跑？

你知道塔齐塔发生了什么吗？

她去了沙特。

两年了，没有电话。

她母亲还在点蜡烛。

还有西尼特，她回来时病恹恹的，一无所有。

我不是塔齐塔。

我不是西尼特。

每个女孩都这么说。

哈娜说沙龙在迪拉。

她在那儿有个朋友。

我可以合住一个房间。

和谁合住？

陌生人？

你不认识他们。

哈娜认识他们。

她说他们是埃塞俄比亚人 哈娜说 哈娜说 哈娜得到什么 她拿佣金 那很正常 对她正常 对你不正常

哈娜说我会洗头做指甲。干净的工作。不像工厂。

在一个陌生的国家做干净的工作。

妈妈，我每个月会把一半工资寄给你。一半。你可以付学费。你可以付埃库布。

埃库布不是银行。

那是邻居的钱。

如果你不还，他们会来找我。

我会还的。

我保证。

在厨房里承诺很容易。

我不是在请求你的许可。

我是在告诉你。

我已经辞职了。

那你为什么还要告诉我？

因为你是我母亲，因为我害怕。

害怕是好事。

害怕让你活着。

我需要你的帮助。

机票、签证，哈娜需要8万比尔给中介。

8万？

我存了1万2。

我需要剩下的。

你想让我把埃库布的钱给你？

女孩们上学的钱？

这是借的。

我会从迪拜还回来。

如果你不回来呢？

我会回来的。

带着钱。

你不知道。

我知道我不能留在这里。

妈妈，看看我。我21岁。我整天工作，一无所有。我想帮你。我想让女孩们完成学业。

你以为我不想吗？

那就帮我。

我有2万比尔。是给埃库布的。那些女人会问的。

告诉她们是给店里用的。

我不撒谎。

那就什么都别告诉她们，求你了。

你会寄一半。一半。每个月。

而且你每周都要给我打电话。每周。

如果你不打，我就去找哈娜的母亲。

我会打的。

把钱拿去。藏好。别告诉女孩们。别告诉任何人。

谢谢你，妈妈。

别谢我。只要回来。

我会的。

哈娜，我尽快赶来了。你说你有消息。

是的。坐下。你看起来很累。

我很累。我辞了工厂的工作。我母亲把阿库布的钱给了我。现在我需要真相。

真相是好的。沙龙在代拉，一家美容沙龙。干净的工作，好顾客。

我在那里做什么？

头发、指甲，也许简单的化妆。他们会教你的。薪水是1500迪拉姆。

每个月？

每个月，如果你有礼貌还有小费。

那签证呢？

三周，也许更短。中介很快。

中介要多少钱？

8万比尔。

8万？哈娜，那太多了。

这是迪拜。没有便宜的东西。但两个月后，你就能赚回来。

我有3万2。这是我的全部。我的积蓄和我母亲的钱。

把你现在有的给我。

我会跟中介谈。

他认识我。

那剩下的呢？

我会搞定的。

你就像我姐妹一样。

我不想让你失去这个机会。

我母亲很害怕。

她说，女孩们去了就不回来。

不听话的女孩会有麻烦。

你要听我的。

在机场不要跟陌生人说话。

不要签你不懂的文件。

把钱放在身边。

这笔钱我会拿到收据吗？

收据？塞拉玛维特，我们在同一条街上长大。我们之间什么时候需要纸了？

你母亲说总要拿纸。

你母亲从没离开过梅尔卡托。这里就是这样运作的。中介不给收据。他给签证。

那一切都安排好了？

一切都安排好了。沙龙在等着。签证快来了。你只需要准备好。

我什么时候付剩下的？

以后，起飞前。

我会给你打电话。

答应我，哈娜。

不要有意外。

不会有意外 你会寄钱回家，你母亲会为你骄傲 我答应她每个月寄一半工资 那你就寄一半 你会看到的

一年后，你会笑今天。

我希望如此。

这是钱。

数一下。

我信任你，但我会数的。

好。

3万2。

这是我所有的。

目前够了。

保持手机开机。

我会打电话告诉你签证的事。

那沙龙呢？

叫什么名字？我会把一切都发给你。名字、地址、中介的号码。别担心。

我不担心。我只是……我不知道。

那很正常。回家吧，轻装打包，三周内准备好。

三周。

三周。还有，塞拉玛维特，别跟人说太多。每个人都会想求个方便。

我不会的。谢谢你，哈娜。

先别谢我。在迪拜再谢我。

六周后，哈娜带着新手机和旅游签证回到梅尔卡托，不是她承诺的工作签证。

她说规则在最后一刻变了，在迪拜，一切都是在当地安排的，不是在纸上。

塞拉玛维特想大喊，但哈娜已经拿了钱，而航班是唯一还感觉真实的东西。

她打包了一个包，带了200美元，还有哈娜给她的号码，独自飞往迪拜。

在机场，那个号码没人接。

她打了两次，然后坐在塑料椅上直到大厅几乎空了。

一辆出租车最终把她送到达拉，经过金店和散发着豆蔻和尘土气味的狭窄街道。

房间在一家商店上面，是梅塞雷特租的，哈娜朋友的朋友。

塞拉玛维特付了司机钱，把包抱在胸前，爬上黑暗的楼梯。

她的旅游签证有效期20天。

她没有沙龙，没有薪水，楼上也没有人在等她。

这是房间。你的床在那儿，靠窗。

浴室在走廊尽头。我们和另外两个女人共用。

比我想的小。

钱少的时候迪拜就小。坐下。

你看起来要倒下了。

我已经两天没睡了。

那就先听，待会儿再睡。

哈娜告诉你沙龙的名字了吗？

她说她会发给我。

她说一切都安排好了。

没有沙龙。

我打听过了。

达拉没有叫那个名字的沙龙。

哈娜给了你一个故事。

她是我朋友。

我们在同一条街上长大。

朋友也会拿佣金。

她把你带到这里。

有人为此付了她钱。

也许是中介。

也许是那个不存在的沙龙。

我把所有的钱都给了她。

多少？

全部。

我母亲的埃库布钱。

8万比尔。

那她就不是你朋友。

她是一门生意。

那工作签证呢？

看看你的护照。

上面写的什么？

旅游。

20天。

旅游签证。

你不能用它工作。

如果他们抓到你，你要交罚款。

也许坐牢。

也许他们把你送回家，你就不能再来了。

哈娜说工作签证快来了。

哈娜说。

哈娜说。

哈娜走了。

你在这里。

你有20天。

我能做什么？

首先，数数你有什么。

钱、手机、护照。

200美元。

那是一个星期。

如果你像我一样吃，也许10天。

你怎么生活？

我为这张床付700迪拉姆。

吃饭200。

每个月。

我打扫房子。

现金。

没有纸。

我的签证八个月前就过期了。

我在这里，但我不在这里。

你明白吗？

你是非法的。

我是隐形的。

有区别。

你还有20天。

利用它们。

做什么？

阿尔巴沙的一个女人在找清洁工。

她想找人住在家里。

长期的。

清洁工？

这是工作。

这是一个房间。

这不是沙龙 她叫什么名字 法蒂玛夫人 她有钱 她有一栋大别墅 她也有规矩 什么规矩 她会要你的护照 为了签证 她会说 为了签证 他们就是这么说的

那护照就留在她抽屉里，不在你手里。多久？直到她决定。

这就是问题。当你交出护照，你就不是客人。你是财产。我不能回

家。我母亲为我借了钱。我妹妹们需要学费。我知道。这就是我告诉

你真相的原因。不是吓你。是让你准备好。还有别的办法吗？总有别的办法。

不总是好办法。你可以去埃塞俄比亚教堂。你可以求助。你可以睡在这里

找现金工作。但你只有20天。如果签证到期前我找不到工作呢？

那你就和我一样。隐形。我不想隐形。那就接下那家。接下那个房间。

低下头，数好每一迪拉姆。给我号码。今晚想想。睡吧。早上

你还是会饿，但你会想得更清楚。我现在就在想。给我号码。

好吧，但记住我说的话。护照不是纸。它是你的门。我会记住的。

还有，萨拉莫维特，不要告诉她你在这里有个朋友。

不要告诉她你认识我。

为什么？

因为那样她就知道你有地方可去。

如果她知道那个，她就不会留你。

她会把你赶出去。

所以，我是一个人。

你不是一个人。

你和我在一起。

但她不能知道那个。

好的。

我明天给她打电话。

明天。

先睡觉。

你需要一个清醒的头脑。

梅塞雷特？

怎么了？

谢谢你没有对我撒谎。

别谢我，小心就好。

我穿回来了。

但没人递给我多少东西。

只有紧闭的门和空洞的承诺。

我为了家乡的小女孩们坚持下去。

看着我如何行动。

她们的面孔在我脑海中闪烁。

在沙漠的酷热中

我挺过来了，我找到了我的，找到了我的立足点

在抛光的大理石地板上

亚的斯亚贝巴养育了我

尘土飞扬的街道和英吉拉

迪拜是下一个艰难的教训

全是玻璃塔和冰冷的现金

我来是为了提升我的姐妹们，把我破旧的包里装着她们的希望。

但没人递给我多少东西，只有紧闭的门和空洞的承诺。

我为了家乡的小女孩们坚持下去，看着我如何行动。

她们的面孔在我眼中

在沙漠的酷热中闪烁

我挺过来了，我找到了我的，找到了我的立足点

在抛光的大理石地板上