Our First Post from Ethiopia!

Hello from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!

It is incredible to think that we left Seattle only 7 days ago. Since then we have been to Dubai (see Noah’s upcoming post aka “A Love Letter to Dubai”) and settled in our living quarters at the International Leadership Academy of Ethiopia (ILAE). We will write more about ILAE another time, but if you are interested in learning more, their website is www.ilacademy.org.

It is hard to distill in a few paragraphs all that we have experienced, but we have gone from being in awe of the efficiency, ease and architectural wonders of Dubai to having the most heartwarming welcome in Addis. It is incredible to walk around and have so many people stop and say hello (most say “salem” which means peace).

We are living on the campus of Hope University (ILAE is housed here) and are learning how to cook with two pots, get around in a neighborhood where we don’t speak the language, and share one very small bathroom among five people.

Some other things we are learning so far:

1. We all can get along for long stretches of time.
2. But, stretch it too long, and the fireworks begin.
3. It is best to do all you can when the electricity and water are working – this includes cooking, showering, and using the toilet!
4. However, sitting in our apartment with the doors open, the breeze blowing through, and the sounds of ILAE kids (and often Caleb, too!) playing soccer outside, we are perfectly content without power and water.
5. That local vendors and cab drivers start with the farengi (foreigner) price and you have to negotiate no matter how intimidated you feel.
6. It takes a long time to get anywhere in a city of 7 million people on roads without lanes, stop lights, and where you share the road with goats, cows, and horses.

Comments:

Thanks to everyone for their nice comments on our first post. We are still learning WordPress so don’t yet know how to publish them, but know they made us smile and please keep them coming.

Travel Tips:

Thanks to Becky Sherman and Bree Dusseault for the hook ups on eye pillows and ear plugs.   They have been essential in a city where the nighttime sounds include wild dogs, donkeys, and hyenas and the local church and mosque amplify morning prayers starting at 4:00 AM.

What About Photos?

We have taken quite a few, but with intermittent internet access, it’s a bit challenging right now. Expect some soon!