10/24/09

So, we've now been in Ethiopia officially for 11 days, it feels like
it's been much longer. That's partly because we have experienced so
much in a short amount of time and also because time doesn't move very
fast here. There have been some great experiences and some not so
great experiences. I'm going to be up front and say that it's been
the hardest thing that I've ever done and it so far is much more
difficult than I ever could have imagined. It's mostly because of the
culture shock of living in a country about as different from America
as you can get, and then having to learn a language in hyperspeed on
top of that. There have been at least 3 days already where one or
both of us entertained the idea of ditching and going back home. I
believe it's only the grace of God that has prevented us from
following through, that and there really are great things here in
Ethiopia.

The culture is so different that it's almost exotic to us "ferengi" or
foreigners. This is constantly yelled at us as we walk down the road,
that or "China." Some great things are the hospitality of the people,
who are overjoyed to have us here. The coffee, which flows like water
does in America and tastes better than any coffee I've ever had. They
have a little ceremony every night in which they roast, ground, and
make the coffee right before your eyes. Tea or chay is delicious as
well and we usually have that at breakfast and then again at 10:30 am.

The food is one of the not so great experiences. There is something
called injera, which is some kind of soured bread similar in shape to
a tortilla and not similar in flavor to anything I've ever had. I've
only eaten it 3 times and struggled to keep it down each time,
therefore we just don't eat it. Since this is their national food and
something they eat with each meal, and they know we don't like it, we
usually get the same meals over and over. Pasta, rice, carrots,
potatoes, bread, and eggs. This stuff is good, but not as good as at
home, and it gets old fast. One good thing is the fresh fruits and
vegetables in the market.

That's all I have for now, but I promise to post more later when I can.