Ethiopia So Far

Ethiopia, Ethiopia, Ethiopia, so far the most interesting place I have ever been. That's not saying much since I've never been out of America, but nonetheless interesting. I still haven't gotten over the fact that drivers share the road with the hundreds of cattle being herded through the city. I personally think no one can drive in this country and adding animals to the equation doesn't make it any better. Also, it is not illegal to drink and drive, shocking. Some people start their Black Label Saturday morning and continue drinking until Sunday night, but surprisingly I haven't seen as many car accidents as I would have expected. Hopefully, it stays that way.

After thorough analysis of the data I have collected over the past three months, I have arrived at the conclusion that the top two most used conversation starters are: 

1: Inde Wufershe/Kusashe! (meaning: omg you got fat/skinny what happened?!) and;

2: Bal alesh? Mecha tagebyalesh? (meaning: do you have a husband? When are you getting married?).

I'm not exaggerating by any means, these are real facts. Every older woman I have had the pleasure of meeting/running into has asked me this question and follows this question with, 

"I have a son" (wink, wink). 

Great! Every old woman in Ethiopia thinks they are a certified dating service. 

I always respond with,  

"What about my education, you know continuing to get my masters?" 

All of their responses have been the same, "Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Walking through Mexico on a Sunday afternoon can be both eye opening and overwhelming. They sell everything from scarves, shirts, boxers to pens, combs, and mafakya's (a piece of tree branch that is used as a toothbrush). My favorite is the guy who stands out there with his scale charging 20 cents to folks who want to weigh themselves or their goods. Then there are those who don't have an inventory of things to sell, so they are out there hustling to sell ONE jacket or ONE scarf.

Currently Ethiopia is going through it's winter otherwise known as Krumpt meaning everyday, all day, it's raining non-stop. Yay me! I didn't bring any boots or raincoats, so as far as weather goes I'm not in the ideal situation.