TIA- This Is Africa

So after a week of no internet in Ethiopia, I was finally connected to the greater world only to discover that blogger is a page that is temporarily inaccessible. Was I frustrated? Yes! But, because of my persistence I finally got through and the next day they announced that the internet will be temporarily down due to upgrading. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! The one thing I noticed you don't get in this country is convenience. But the one thing you must have in this country is "tigist," meaning patience. Other than that I love it here!

It has been about three weeks now and I think I have adjusted well. Life here is so laid back and relaxed. When I left the airport and drove through town I was surprised to see all the construction sites that are in progress. It has been ten years since I was last in Ethiopia and a lot has changed since then, the biggest change is that there are actual paved roads and somewhat highways. I say somewhat because it's common to be exiting in some areas and  the pavement becomes gravel without any warning. Regardless, there are a lot more paved/ stone roads than last time. The construction sites here seem to always be on pause or halfway complete. I see a lot of buildings in progress but no workers.
The common form of transportation is taxi's, they're everywhere. They have eight passenger taxi vans that they stretch to accommodate twelve. You will probably be sitting five to a row that was really meant for three. The plus side about the van is that the fair is cheap, 2 birr compared to the contract taxi that can cost at least 50birr. Huge difference. I prefer to take the taxi, it's a fun experience minus the occasional body odor. 

The problem comes when you are trying to cross the street. NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE! People here take up two lanes, reverse on a one-way, herd cattle through the middle of traffic, and the number one irritating move is when they pull right in front of you without signaling. Did I mention there are no traffic lights here? Mostly roundabouts and police officers directing traffic.
Electricity is available but, every other day they turn it off for about two hours. Mostly everyone here has that small Nokia phone with a built-in flashlight so without hesitation, they switch it on. Oh, and when you are driving don't be surprised if the street light all of a sudden turns off. They should at least provide generators for street lights, that is outright dangerous.


There are flies everywhere. I had a flash back of Jamie Foxx's stand-up when he was describing his experience in South Africa. These flies are different, they fear no one they walk across the table tasting everyone's food. No joke. If you try to shoo them away they just duck.

Prices here are ridiculous. Even though the dollar is equivalent to 13 birr you are still paying the same amount as if it was a dollar because the inflation is sky-high. Hair products cost about 130 birr, a bag of chips are 29 birr, gas is 200birr, dinner for four could cost about 450birr when you convert that to dollar it's about the same in some situations.

At the moment, I am looking for NGO's and international organizations in the area trying to network my way through Ethiopia. I'm really close to getting an interview with Save the Children, so everybody cross your fingers.