Welcome to Ethiopia!

This entry is in two parts, the first from the Frankfurt area on Friday and the second from today, Sunday, in a café with wifi.

Blog August 20, 2010

Frankfurt Airport

I am writing this blurry eyed and a bit disoriented, from the Frankfurt airport, where I have a 4-hour layover. I had intended to sleep through my entire first flight, but my fellow passengers had other ideas. Seated next to 3 loud Spaniards and directly above a horde of giggling French teenagers, I was struck with the observation that as much as everyone complains about rude Americans, my countrymen tend to make good travelers. It is very rarely the loud American chatting loudly on an international flight. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Americans often do a good job representing themselves on international travels, but we tend to be good on planes. But maybe I am just cranky due to lack of sleep; it wouldn’t be the first time!

I was struck with some serious homesickness, as I lay awake on the plane. I think I am really going to miss my parents and sister, who I only got to spend a few days with over the past few days. All three of them, my parents and JEN, were very supportive and comforting as I prepared to depart! I am lucky to have such an amazing family!

I still have a few hours left of my layover, which I plan to spend on reading about Ethiopia or perhaps napping.

Arrival in Addis

Here I am, almost 48 hours into my time in Ethiopia! A lack of time combined with a lack of Internet access has limited my blog posting, but I’ll write this on Word, with the idea that the Internet will come back in the café I am by the time I am down, or I can post it from work tomorrow.

My second flight was uneventful and much quieter! We landed in Addis just as the sun was setting, and a CARE driver who took me to my guesthouse met me. On the way I got my first views of the city, which seemed lively on a Friday night. I also took in the vast number of people, including children, who seemed to be sleeping on the street.

I had a bit of a culture shock moment on Saturday morning, after having spent the night half awake, due to jetlag. I felt scared and a bit homesick, and considered how long I could stay in my room. The downpour of rain didn’t help my motivation! I soon realized how silly a consideration this would be, and rallied myself to get up at least to purchase a cell phone. This was a good call, because the city was far less scary in reality than it seemed in my head. While the children and other beggars are a bit aggressive, most people are friendly, and I easily made it to the mall to purchase my phone and my (so far ineffective) Internet connector. On my way back I got a bit turned around and asked a British woman for directions. When she heard it was my first day in town she invited me to lunch and an art show with her and a friend. Not knowing many people in the city I of course took her up on her offer, which turned out to be a really great choice. I was taken on a great “welcome” tour of the city, which included great local food, an art show and yummy pastries. I learned where the good bookstores are, as well as supermarkets, cheap DVDS, relatively reliable wifi cafe and other good expat resources. I also have a growing list of things to see again, like the palace located at the top of the city, and many of the East Orthodox Churches that can be found throughout.

Addis is unlike any city I’ve ever been too. There is more (and more disturbing) poverty than anything I’ve before experienced. But there is also a great deal of very wealthy Ethiopians, who don’t seem to mind showing off what they have. And, like almost any other less developed country I’ve been to, there is a huge ex-pat scene. When the sun comes up the air clears, as it has both afternoons and it is clear this is overall a happy, welcoming city. The air is cool and brisk, there is green everywhere and almost everyone is smiling. The food is terrific and very cheap! In the famous words of Annie “I think I’m gunna like it here”

On that cheesy note I see the Internet is working, so I will post this before it is to late!