Melkam Adis Amet (Happy New Year)

We celebrated the Ethiopian New Year in Addis Ababa. We visited the JSC Fellows who are stationed in Addis, Sam and Menachem, and friends from Rick's home. We finally witnessed traditional singing and dancing, wow, impressive. Max and I stayed at the Sheraton Addis and it was a little oasis, a very welcome change to our current electric, dirt and drainage problems.  Max woke early on Tuesday, Meskel 1, to witness the traditional sacrificial lamb slaughter at our friend, Bayelegn's house (while I entertained the hotel's breakfast buffet). From what I hear it was not much of a religious experience (well, maybe for Max) but rather the simple preparation of what would feed them and friends for the first day of their new year. 

Max and I decided to visit the Blue Nile Gorge and signed up with a tour guide who drove us out to the Gorge. The sights and sounds along the way were spectacular. Really, I have never seen anything so beautiful and expansive than the countryside in Ethiopia, it was truly stunning. We drove for over 3 hours and discovered every shade of blue in the sky, the patchwork of green on the ground and rolling hills interspersed with sharp cliffs and plateaus. Passing through interspersed towns where the main road seemed to be the epicenter of business. Donkeys, horses, goats, dogs sharing the road with pedestrians, shop keepers, shoe shines and automobiles. We happened to drive through a funeral where everyone was dressed in white, cries could be heard and there was a man clutching a framed photograph in obvious distress. A couple of cement factories and even a leather factory that looked out of place against the natural landscape.  

Lunch was atop a plateau where our views were obstructed by a massive rain squall. Once the rain cleared we were amazed at the view. We trekked down to a Portuguese bridge and discovered multiple massive waterfalls. Mostly dirt brown from the rain that had just passed and flowing with such force, the sound was awesome. We entertained a few monkeys with our attempt at "speaking their language". The babies were adorable, holding on to their mama's bellys or backs as they crossed the road. I contemplated the idea of running a small farm in the future, aloud, much to Max's amusement. You already know I want a piglet and have you seen a baby goat? Possibly the cutest creature on the planet. So, one day, I'd like to have a small farm next to my home where I can make my own jam, milk and maybe cheese and be surrounded by baby animals. I swear I haven't fallen off the deep end just yet but it'll be interesting to see what I come up with being given so much free time with my imagination.

All in all, Addis was a very nice trip. I'm amazed at the ease of planning such an excursion. We arrived at the airport at 6:45am Monday morning, bought our tickets at the counter and were on the 9am out (don't be fooled, we're 0/5 with actually departing at the scheduled time).

We are at the Lammergayer hotel (nearest the Fasilides school) because we are scheduled to meet with the Principal, Ayele, at 10am Ethiopian time (otherwise known as 4pm "your" time here).  I'll update you once we find out when we begin teaching. Upon hearing that classes would be over 60 children each, I'm eager to see how they facilitate this.

I have tons of great pictures from our Blue Nile adventure. If you don't already have but you'd like an invite to our dropbox folders please let me know and I'll be happy to send you one! The pictures take a very long time to upload here.