6 months later

I had to share this post written by a peace corps volunteer in Ethiopia. I believe this woman and her husband are stationed in Adwa, in the northern part of Ethiopia in the Tigray region. It strikes a chord with me as someone who lived in Ethiopia with her significant other. If you have a moment I suggest you read:

800 Days in Ethiopia by PCV, Danielle

I must also share that 6 months later I have returned home, have a wonderful job with Hillel International which I enjoy every day, continue to travel and share a comfortable apartment downtown with Max. I love telling my experiences in Ethiopia to others, triumphs and travesties included. The bad has faded away. I get so excited to meet Ethiopians on the street in DC, I feel like they're family. I don't recall the tough times when I recount my stories to others. Yes, I share that it was a "challenge" but totally worth it. I think as I sat with flea bites and dust covered, I would have been amazed and probably in disbelief to have caught a glimpse of myself now and the stories I'm telling. 

Layovers aren’t all that bad

On our way back, we missed our connection in Cairo and were on a flight out 12 hours later. We took the day to see the pyramids, Great Sphinx and National Museum. I didn’t know what to expect but I really didn’t think it would be as dirty as it was. Trash lined the streets, we passed a canal turned green from waste and burned out buildings from Mubarak’s reign. The historical side of it was really amazing though. In all honesty, I didn’t feel that safe, mainly because nobody looked welcoming. Sinister, forlorn faces put me on edge. It was like driving past scenes from CNN reporting after a car bombing in Syria – it looked similar, to me.  Here are some photos from Amsterdam and from Cairo. On our way back, we missed our connection in Cairo and were on a flight out 12 hours later. We took the day to see the pyramids, Great Sphinx and National Museum. I didn’t know what to expect but I really didn’t think it would be as dirty as it was. Trash lined the streets, we passed a canal turned green from waste and burned out buildings from Mubarak’s reign. The historical side of it was really amazing though. In all honesty, I didn’t feel that safe, mainly because nobody looked welcoming. Sinister, forlorn faces put me on edge. It was like driving past scenes from CNN reporting after a car bombing in Syria – it looked similar, to me. 

Amsterdam good time

We had a wonderful time with my parents in Amsterdam. Between the canals, the Rijks Museum, Anne Frank and Van Gogh we walked through Vondel Park, shopped, ate and rode bikes. The weather was nice, warm enough one day to not bring our jackets. We ate pancakes on a canal one morning and mom and I had fun “shopping” in a cheese store, which turned into a meal. So nice to be with my parents and just hang out. Can’t tell you how good it felt to hug them!

Beers in Antwerp

Mom and the canals

Antwerp

Advice I’d give

Gut it out.

Suck it up.

It is truly beautiful here, recognize it.

Be patient with the language, learn it.

You will be dirty, get used to it.

Smile to strangers. Befriend other white people, it’s amazing to hear their stories.

Get out and see more.

Be home before dark most nights. Not all.

Try new restaurants.

Go for a walk, get lost.

Hold on tight to your belongings in the merkato. Buy fresh produce there.

Sit on top of Quara and overlook the Piazza.

Sit on top of Goha and take it in, this is your home for a year.

Watch traditional dancing, try it.

Listen to traditional music live.

Don’t give everyone your phone number but give it out.

Find peace, be compassionate, understand, be grateful.

Open. Your. Mind.

A response to "what's your finish going to look like"?

"I came to Kino Hotel for wifi to send somethings from my ipad. The power is out. As I sit drinking my lukewarm Ambo and type through a growing film of dust I feel good. I like it here. This is all coming 8 months too late but it feels good here. The breeze and the sun and now the traditional music with a reggae beat coming from a young man's cell phone.. I will look back fondly and I am so so so glad."

It is nice to hear you say "it's not how you start the game but how you finish," I couldn't agree more. It is very relative to me here and now. Not to harp on the past but it was very difficult. I went for a walk with Dylan and Izzy and we talked about how much you learn from actually living in a place rather than just visiting. I was nervous I'd look poorly upon all Ethiopians because of those that I've been surrounded by here. As we passed Ethiopian immigrants on the streets of Tel Aviv, Max actually made the comment that, "people are a product of their environment". Overall, I think that it is realizing that I choose the way I see things while I am here. And, I am starting to see things in a better light. Granted, I needed a tangible and fast approaching end date in order to alter my view.

In the grand scheme of things, I think it is a lesson on how we perceive ourselves and others and the power we hold to change our outlook on everything in life. 

It is unfortunate how little some teachers care about their profession, they finish teaching the text book and they are finished teaching. On the bright side, it is nice to see the students who do come to class, rain or shine, holiday or not. These kids want to learn, to decipher between right and wrong, good and bad... they want a future based on education. We have made a world of progress with our students and throughout the entire school. Kids raise their hand, they may just be coming to class because it is their day with Max and Elizabeth in class, they read out loud to us and they are more confident in their abilities. The teachers have seen us fulfill our duties and speak with us every chance they get to practice their English or brag about Ethiopian culture or hear about America or even ask for our help to get them books or visas from the states (something that would no doubt lead them to more opportunity but not necessarily a better life. Also something that deeply bothered me, the misunderstanding of a foreign volunteers purpose here, but now I think "how should they know my reasons for being here and on that note, why not give it a shot, I may hand them a visa on the spot").

I leave feeling fulfilled. I would have done things differently, no doubt. My relationship with Max has grown immeasurably, more than possible after years together in America, I think - and I am grateful we leave holding hands and with a better sense of communication and of one another.

I am grateful for this experience. I think it is very cool, I have grown, I have seen and done and eat and danced and all I can see from the past is that I had a really great time. 

Rural Outreach Program May 8, 2013

A bus of six doctors from the Gondar University Healthcare Center traveled along the road towards Sudan to reach two rural primary schools. Three doctors got off at the first stop, Shumargie Primary School, each with a box full of medicine. I joined them here as I had been to Shumargie before and was eager to see familiar faces and learn what plagued them. The doctors assessed the children, listened to their rendition of what ails them, and then spent the time to explain to each and every one what it was exactly that was wrong. Cases of intestinal parasites were diagnosed with de-worming medicine and a thorough explanation of how to take the pills; a case of diarrhea was given oral rehydration salts which we put in a water bottle right then and there for the young boy; head fungus and dandruff were given bottles of anti-fungal shampoo; itchy eyes and ear aches were given drops and ointment and a longer explanation of how to properly wash hands and face. Education was imparted along with mild medicines that can make a world of difference. Mothers and fathers joined their children during their examinations simply for a hand to hold. Some nearby villagers heard of the presence of the doctors and came in a hurry to see what was going on. About ten women with babies showed up to be seen by the doctors, some with simple questions, others with seriously ill children. The group stayed as late as we could and spoke to everyone who was seriously ill. A total of 76 children were seen at Shumargie today and 75 were seen at the second school, Auduba.

I spoke with Dr. Abeynah of Gondar University and asked if he enjoyed visiting the rural areas. He said he, among the others, “really enjoy seeing new things, sometimes there are new issues that we go back and must research. It is very different from the operating room and I feel I am doing a good thing. These are my people, it is important to get out into the community and give health education. I want to reach as many of them as possible.”

Three doctors stations set up outside

Students line up around the school building

Doctor explains the importance of washing hands thoroughly to a girl who has conjunctivitis.

The finger is of a young boy who pointed to absolutely everything and asked me to say it in English. This is anti fungal cream.

A woman from the nearby village heard we were at Shumargie and brought her newborn who was suffering from diarrhea.

Driving through Azezo on our way back to Gondar Town. The chaos in this part of town never ceases to amaze me, today was relatively calm.

Zanzibar

incredible sunsets!

Max and I booked a trip to Zanzibar somewhat last minute. We had heard how beautiful the beaches are there and wanted to see for ourselves. Only a 2.5 hour flight from Addis, we landed in Dar es Salaam and took a 30 minute flight to Zanzibar. We stayed at a beautiful resort, Diamonds Star of the East, which was paradise. We woke up early for the sunrise every morning, had a private pilates session one morning (and then went right back to sleep), went deep sea fishing (caught nothing), snorkeled the most incredible reef during a thunderstorm, ate seafood by the ocean, smoked hookah on a stilted bungalow over the water and explored Stone Town's narrow walkways and spice market. The pictures are on Max's computer so I'll have to share more at another time.

snorkel gear!

Look at that water! View of the seafood restaurant, hookah lounge and entertainment area where we usually watched sun set.

I realize how fortunate I am to travel to all these exotic places, more so, I am grateful to have a companion who appreciates exploring the unknown with me.

sitting down to dinner and a sunset