I wrote this earlier this week, but just now gotten access
to wi-fi. More details on this week to follow:
When I stepped off the plane into Ethiopia at 7am, after
almost 20 hours of traveling, I was hit with cold fresh mountain air. I was
traveling with another Selamta volunteer and we worked our way through the
airport to get our visa, exchange money, and find our bags through the crowd of
people. Finally, we got outside where Abby (our volunteer leader) and Habtie (Ethiopian
Assistant Director) were waiting for us. Driving through the city was a
whirlwind of sights, sounds and smells. Addis Ababa (the capital) has over 3 million people living in it. Ethiopia as a whole has over 100 million people, with 50% of the population under the age 18 years old.
Habtie and Abby took us to a quiet golf club for breakfast
where we eased into Ethiopian life and then finally drove to Selamta, which is
on the outskirts of Addis. We spent the day just resting as jetlag hit us so
very hard. This weekend has been quieter, which has been nice to slowly adjust
to life here. The culture is rich and the language thick. It is unlike any
place I have ever been before. Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations in
the world. They are also one of the poorest countries and considered heavily under developed.
Saturday we helped a missionary friend organize and decorate
the community center common area. Sunday we went into the city where we began
the day at a coffee shop with the best macchiato, and then went to church.
Afterwards we met up with another team serving here for lunch at a restaurant.
After some time to rest we walked the muddy roads to family homes for dinner. I
have eaten all sorts of new foods and drank many, many, many cups of coffee.
Coffee is deeply integrated into the culture here. Every house or restaurant I
have stepped into has served coffee or tea. It comes in small cups that pack a
punch. I am loving it. Tea has come in many forms form just black, to spiced (cinnamon,
nutmeg, etc) to last night’s cup being season with oregano. Yes, oregano. They
also mix coffee and tea in their cups and someone even told me they make peanut
butter tea. I have yet to try either of those.
Ethiopia continually surprises me. Like how they like to
sneak hot green peppers into everything. Or how after eating the traditional
dish of injera the other night, we received freshly made French fries. And
after those, we got popcorn. POPCORN!!!! They love it here. The first night I
was here, I stepped out on the balcony and the streets smelt of fresh popcorn. Mid-plate
of popcorn, the other team came to get us and I was so sad to leave the popcorn…so
naturally, the mom packed up a bowl of it for us to take home. The hospitality
here is unsurprisingly warm and kind.
I’m taking in more than I can process. I have a hundred
million questions for Abby always, but am trying to slowly learn and observe.
Allowing space and time to adjust and settle. This week I am helping a bit with
the summer camp they are having here at the community center to get familiar
with the kids and staff, and to just make my presence known and familiar. Soon
I will begin more official interviews, and I am so excited to talk to the
staff. They are kind, hardworking, and intelligent. I know they hold a lot of wisdom
and insight into this unique, complex and beautiful place.
No comments:
Post a Comment