Donkey’s on {PARADE}

There was this one time when we were on our way back from Awassa. There were literally HUNDRESES of donkey carts collecting sticks from the fields. The carts are stacked SUPER high with nothing holding the sticks on but gravity. Most of the time there is a small child sitting on top of the sticks whipping the donkey.

It really is a sight to see. It is interesting to be surrounded by such a difference in technology.

Donkey carts and sticks Vs. wireless modems for all.

♥ Single Girl

Disappointed

So There are lots of things I miss about home. One of them is access to food that doesn’t make you sick. Along that I think I got a sugar addiction while working at Nu Skin. For a health company they certainly fill you full of candy.

I unfortunately or fortunately sat next to the candy drawer. Made it REALLY easy to keep my sweet tooth happy. I miss Kit Kat’s. I have been scouring the country and found some at the Duty free at the Hilton.

SADLY, I don’t have any US dollars. What a scam… they only accept foreign currency. YEAH RIGHT.

I did find a Tom Tam. I learned the hard way that




PLEASE….. send…. candy.

♥ Single Girl

WELC(O)ME to my High Tech Wor-led

Ok so due to [Power/Electrical/Government/Employment/Sanity] outages and problems I am a bit behind on my blog posting. I know, I know you guys are SOOOO excited to hear about the minute details of my life here in Ethiopia.

So here is a little piece of it. I live in a ghetto motel in the village of Shashamane, Ethiopia. It is known for its RASTA flavor and abundance of marijuana. While I am in Kersa Illala {From now on to be known as “The Village” or Kersa} I live at the Lily of the Valley. More on that later.

So upon our arrival in Kersa, I found the condoms & got moved into my new room.

{I know it seems weird that we are staying at a motel. However in this area the options are a mud hut or a motel. There isn’t any faranji* friendly housing in the area. We have been looking for a house that has running water, electric and a giant gate. However we have not found anything yet. Since we have computers & resources we would need a secure compound with a 24 hour guard. If we did find anything suitable we would GLADLY move to a house}

*Faranji= white foreigner

In an attempt to make this feel more like “HOME” I brought over LOTS of STUFF. Honestly, the bag weighed over 70lbs.

Here is my life in three pictures-

1. My closet/Storage Center


2. My Pantry/Kitchen

3. My Supply Store

I know don't be jealous I get to hand wash my under-roos in the sink. Or that I get to eat beans out of a can. The Hoummus is actually REALLY good with a little olive oil. Don't be sad you dont store well water in a gas can.

YOU ARE more than welcome to come visit!

♥ Single Girl

Of all the things I love here

i MIGHT love the {AVOCADO'S} the best. They are seriously amazing. I am staying in the rasta town of Shashamane, Ethiopia. The Rasta's that own the place are great. They are literally HIGH all the time.

Larry is a little ok maybe a LOT creepy. One of his redeeming qualities is that he has a HUGE garden with lots of fruit trees. He grows amazing Avocados. They are so yummy, so meaty, so perfect.

They have become a staple in my diet. I get a basket of toast & a plate of tomatoes. With the avocado and some salt =perfection

They are one of the few things that don't make me sick.

They are FRESH veggies, that are safe to eat.

They taste like food I know.

I am tempted to smuggle some of the pits out of the country to see if we can grow them that big in the states. One avocado here is worth like 7 back home.

YUM!

♥ Single Girl

Dear Google Reader,

PLEASE, Please P-L-E-A-S-E LOAD here. It would be REALLY nice to be able to keep up with my friends and spy on my enemies while I am here. I need some entertainment at night.

Dear Larry,
Thank you for always being Oh soooo high. It makes me laugh EVERY time I see you. Also thank you for the giant avocados. Your donations are really helping my food budget. Please feel free to continue to kiss on Kate, so long as the avocados keep coming.

Dear Shalom,
I am pissed you put mushy tofu on my veggie pizza & that you are always out of pineapple and sour sap juice.
I QUIT YOU.

Dear Lindsey,
Do to your Fayisa finding you a husband idea, he is considering opening a match making service. You can be his first official applicant for the LOW low price of 20etb.

Dear Donkey’s,
We have spent the last few days imagining what you think. It goes something like this:
“Im a donkey look at me kick, look at me kick”
“Im a donkey I go where I want to go.”
“Im a donkey I can pull all these stick and three people, look at me go!”
I REALLY hope that is what you are thinking about. If not, I will continue to imagine you talking in a funny little voice.

Dear wireless Modem,
Stop acting up. You are my only link to the outside world.

Dear Rain,
I think you are great, however your pounding on the tin roof- LITERALLY is keeping everyone up at night. What about raining during the day…is that possible?


♥ Single Girl

iM pretty sure by the end of this Ill have Malaria

It’s not that iM being pessimistic or anything, but here is the proof:

Right arm from the elbow down = 10 mosquitoes bites

In the first two days in Ethiopia I have over 3 dozen bug bites. It might be a personal best. Especially since we were in Addis where I was told ”It’s too cold for mosquitoes”
WELL BOY did I prove them wrong!

Dear doxycycline,
Please protect me from Malaria while I am here. I have been swallowing you every morning after breakfast really faithfully. I would hate to spoil such a lovely trip with a visit to the local hospital.

Thanks,

♥ Single Girl

ummm WHAT THE

These little beauties were waiting for me, upon my arrival in my new home:

1. NO I don't know who left them.

2. NO I don't plan on using them while I am here.

3. NO I don't know what Honey sensation means.

4. NO I don't know how they individually electronically test them.

I guess somethings are just better left unknown.

Maybe I should sponsor my first blog giveaway.

Any takers?

♥ Single Girl

Village Trip ONE

After being held political hostages* in Addis for a few weeks, we were given permission to go to the Village {Kersa Illala} for a day.

Not EXACTLY the word we were looking for, but we figured we should take what we can get.
I let Fayisa & Tariku know we were coming down to see if they could gather together the widows for interviews.

The next day I spent interviewing These 20 woman:

All of them has their own story, their own life & tragedies.

It was AMAZING to be back in the village and finally getting some work done! How refreshing to be useful for a change. After all the interviews I had some time to check in with the Children on the compound. My favorite, Emuti is doing well. She is growing up so nicely. She is healthy and happy! Her English is improving. It was great to see her.

The next day we were headed back to Addis. Back to our asylum of boredom.

*Ethiopia is coming up on their federal elections. Due to the political process all work in approving NGO work, or work permits, or doing any kind of business has been held up. Politicians in power are looking for score some last points before the elections to insure some job safety.

Google: fly away kids + Ethiopia to see what caused the slow down.

♥ Single Girl

The Miracle of the Luggage

So on our hellish trip Ethiopia this time around, we had a REALLY TIGHT, basically

impossible connection in Chicago. We had to make Lufthansa flight or we wouldn't have

made it to Ethiopia for a few days.

Luckily we made the connection.

Our bags however did not. When we landed in Addis we looked like trash, smelled like

BO and hadn't had time to refresh in close to 30 hours. So we muddled our way

through immigration to go look for our bags. So we muddled our way through immigration to go

look for our bags.

We watched as the conveyor brought by new bags every minute. Some looked a little

worse for the wear, some were really nice, some were trash bags that had be duct taped

together.

We watched and watched and watched. We went to several carousal thinking,

"Maybe we're at the wrong one"

Maybe not, our bags were lost.

We checked with the luggage desk to report missing bags. OF all 8 bags that came over

he couldn't locate a single on in the system. NOT A GOOD SIGN.

So we waited as the 4 individual claims were filed. We found our arrival party and headed

to the hotel. I felt lucky my bags were too heavy so I stashed an entire super packer of clothes

and undies in my carry on. The next morning we went to church in jeans and all and waited

out the day. We called to check, no bags yet.

Monday the same thing. No bags yet. Carolyn tried to call the United bagged claim in the

US. She was disconnected several times. Tuesday we finally gave in and called the US. We

got through to a nice agent who said he located our bags in Chicago

(where we were re routed do to the SLC delays). He said he would route the bags through

and that they should arrive Wednesday night. HE even gave us a flight number to check for.

We felt good! The bags were on their way. Then he offered us each as $250 flight credit for the

inconvenience of it all! AMAZING. Carolyn tried to tell 4 email addresses to the nice guy sitting

in India taking our call.

It went a little something like this-

The first one is: C, like cat…Alpha, R like rain, Oscar, Lima, N like Nancy….

And so on. We were giggling like crazy. Imagining this poor Indian guy thinking

"what a weird email address: CArainOLNancy…That doesn't make sense oh well…"

After four email addresses like that, we knew none of us were going to see the travel credit. ALAS none of us have!

We mentally planned on another day without luggage. Another day of washing your undies in the sink.

FUNNEST!

About 20 minutes later I received a phone call on Carolyn's Cell phone.

Me: Hello

Lady: Miss Sa Lina, your bags are here.

Me: WHERE!

CLICK

Me: hello? My bags are where?

We then debated.

The United agent SWORE the bags were in Chicago in a pile somewhere.

The phone call said your bags are here.

WHAT TO DO…What to do.

So we hopped a cab to Bole Airport. I mean what is the worst that could happen? We get ripped off on

cab fair to the airport and we still don't have luggage.

So we went, and MIRACLE beyond MIRACLE, the bags were all there.

All 8 of them in perfect condition. Waiting for us.

Oh happy day! We were all much happier once we could really shower.

Moral of the story, keep spare clothes in your carry on.

♥ Single Girl