7/29
I finally got my blog sent out so I guess it is time to write another
one! Twenty-two days left till I fly home! I am still confused how
this whole flight works. I am first flying to the UAE from Addis which is
about four hours in the wrong direction, then my flight heads to Miami.
That means I am flying a full eight hours round trip extra! I mean, who
comes up with these things? Anyway, sadly my layover is too short for me
to get to explore Doha, I am disappointed that I get to fly in without actually
seeing the country at all. But, since I won't get to leave the airport I
guess I will just have to gorge myself of FOOD! Don't get me wrong, I like
Ethiopian food just fine. But, there is NO diversity, just getting to eat
foods that I don't have everyday will be such a treat.
Things are getting together for my camp. I have people signed up to do
training, and all but one of the slots are already filled. I should have
my grant money by now, and the supplies I need are all easy to come by.
Two weeks from now we will be training sixty kids (assuming I can get them all
to show up) on gender equality, leadership, sexual health, and HIV. It
should be a lot of fun and hopefully the students will come ready to
learn.
Life is pretty much the same old every day. I have been working on my
bees and learning from my mistakes. I am hoping that when I come to the
states I might be able to meet some keepers and just get a little experience
from them. I feel pretty confident in what I am doing, but there are some
things I would really like to do at least once with a professional. It is
a really fun hobby though and I can't believe that it is so out of fashion in
America. It is so common here that people actually keep bees by their
front doors. That sounds fine and all until you realize that African bees
are MEAN. I was trying to plant some flowers for my bees the other day, I
was digging about four meters or so from the hive (13ft) and they started
bouncing off my head warning me to stop. Then as I ran away I ran past
the building where I keep my other bees and THEY started going after me
too! So considering that the bees here are so mean and they still keep
them around their kids, why when Americans have access to bees that you can
literally open the hive and touch the bees without them stinging do we not do
it more?
I am officially out of water. My landlady has stopped helping me get
water, I am not sure why, and I have had to get water from a friend.
Still, all my laundry is dirty, I haven't had a shower in a week and a half, and
my socks STINK! I have had to buy bottled water to drink, and to water my
chickens. It is really not fun not being able to even wash my
dishes. I have got to figure this out and get someone I can trust to
fetch me water. On the bright side the power has been crazy good
recently. It has been on at least 90% of every day and sadly this has led
to me watching more movies and reading fewer books. Honestly I kinda wish
it would go out so I would be forced back to books. Still, you can't get
something nice like that without a sacrifice. The internet cell network
has been out for weeks. I have not been able to check my email since I
have been at site so yesterday I got permission to use the governments
satellite internet just to check email. Still, that isn't open to
everyone so I am very grateful they let me do it.
This week is all about preparation. I am getting students signed up,
having penis models built for condom Olympics, finishing up the schedule for
camp, and finalizing details. I also will have to go to Robe this week
to send out the training materials, schedule, and information to the people
helping with the camp. That sounds like it will keep me busy, sadly that
is all less than half a days work every day this week. (I could probably
finish it all in a day, but then what would I do for the rest of the week?)
Obama was here in Ethiopia this week. I was a little miffed about it when
I heard about it for reasons I can't get into on this blog. But, I was
happy to see that he was far from out of the loop on issues here and that he
seemed to be heavy handed with dealing with issues that are unbecoming of
America's allies. I was
very proud of the way he handled some of the questions about certain human
rights issues and was not afraid to back down. Finally, I missed it, but
was told that he also spoke proudly about Peace Corps volunteers and I hope
that we can all live up to the high expectations laid on us.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Twenty-eight Days and Counting!
7/23
Only twenty-eight days till I fly out! I am so excited to come home for a visit, I
think about the beach (I mean my family...seeing family) every day! I am also very curious if I put on
weight. My weight, even in Ethiopia,
hasn't changed more than two or three pounds in years, not exaggerating, but
all my friends that have gone home have ate themselves silly and gained
weight. I am a bit disappointed in
myself, I was trying to get to a point where I had enough muscle to feel good
about taking my shirt off on South Beach, but I would do well exercising every
day, then go to a training and when I got back to site I would take a week or
two extra before I started up again. As
you can imagine I still am not beach body ready, but not like that is actually
going to stop me. It is crazy to think I
am about to be an UNCLE! It is going to
be a busy, and eventful month for sure!
But, before I even get back to America, I have a ton of work
to do. I still have one bee colony to
transfer over to a transitional hive, I also am trying to strengthen the hive I
already have, and I am happy to say I just completed another successful
transfer. That brings my number of modern
hives to two, with one traditional still waiting to be moved over. I also have not had any more issues with
people disturbing my hives. The Farmer
Training Staff had to go out and talk to all of the farmers in the area, but it
did the trick. I wish it hadn't cost me
250 birr, but at least it is over. I am
really hoping that we get some good rains this year so I can get a good amount
of honey. Since people aren't listening
to my training. I want to get a good harvest this year so I can put their faces
in it and say "do what I told you and you can have this too!" I also just got a grant approved by PC (THANK
YOU, JAMIE!) to do a small camp here in Gassera.
I am trying to get sixty students together to learn about gender
equality, leadership, and sexual health/HIV prevention. My site mate and I are also planning a
bio-intensive garden training for women with HIV for the day before I leave to
go to Addis to catch my flight. Finally
I am supposed to be putting together a training on how to run a proper stool
test for the livestock office. I have to
admit, as easy as that is going to be I have been pretty lazy about getting it
together. Still, I feel like even if
that is the only thing I do to help animals in this country it will at least be
something. So it is going to be a very
interesting 28 days!
I also just finished a training on honey purification for
international sale quality. I think it
went really well and I think the people I trained are really going to apply it,
I hope. While I was there I was shown a waterfall and of course I went for a nice dip. It was amazing just to be swimming
again! Of course, I am still waiting to
see what diseases I catch, but as of right now I am going to say TOTALLY worth
it. Don't worry though, when we complete
service PC puts us on a regimen of drugs to kill every disease known to man so
before I come home. It will be like a factory reset.
So, for now, I am going to continue my back-breaking pace to
get all this stuff done. I am afraid
that I am going to have to decrease my daily coffee breaks down to five or six
now!
See you all soon!
Friday, July 10, 2015
Countdown!
7/10
It is hard to believe I only have eight and a half months left in my service! I feel like time has flown and I have so much left I want to accomplish. I don't even want to think about when I am going to have to say goodbye to all my friends, both PC and Ethiopian. Although I will admit to already having started planning my going away party! It has been an interesting couple of months. I am glad I get to spend a little time away from Addis after all the time I have spent there recently. I am excited about some upcoming events I am in the process of getting together. I am working on getting a small community camp planned to teach students about HIV, and gender issues. My site mate and I are also trying to get a training together to teach HIV positive women how to create a bio-intensive gardens at their house to help feed them and their families. Of course, as usual, we will have to keep our fingers crossed that things come together like we are hoping or we even get them to happen at all.
There was an interesting event yesterday, some people were caught stealing from a house in one of the rural kabeles. They were brought to the police station awaiting...whatever is going to happen to them (no one seemed to know what that would be). But what really amazed me is that the accused were put on display in the police station compound. It seemed to me that the whole town came out to see them and I was amazed when all of my coworkers went streaming out of the compound. I know peoples photos are available after arrests in America, but this was the court of public opinion to the extreme. I don't know if they were innocent or guilty, but people sure have made up their minds. Not only that, but the rumors going around town were flabber ghasting. I was told by my best Ethiopian friend that the accused has used magic to keep the house owners asleep while they stole from them. Another person told me they blew marijuana in their faces to keep them from waking up. Just what people would believe was incredible. I don't know what people would do if they were innocent, but I sure hope they aren't because they are guilty in the eyes of the community.
On a sadder note, one of my best friend's, in Gasera, sister just died. I noticed he wasn't acting right, but wasn't sure what was wrong. Then yesterday I was with some friends and he explained and invited us to come to the mourning. I have been making sure to avoid any chance of having to go to a mourning since I got here, but of course, as he is a good friend, I felt I had too. As much as I feel bad saying it, I was thankful to have missed the part where the family and friends wail and cry over the loss. But I was glad to be there for my friend. It was interesting seeing the differences and similarities between the cultures. What I was invited to would most resemble a wake in America, but, the main difference being that here it lasts for about a week. I arrived and, of course, there were the usual comments about the foreigner coming, then food, snacks, and coffee were served. That was followed by just general conversation and I was surprised a fair amount of joking and laughing. I was expecting a more somber mood, but at that point it had turned into just being there with the family for support, but an otherwise normal day. I felt honored that even though he was going through all of the grief of losing a sister, that my friend still came to my defense when people were calling me a "forenji" and he told them not to call me that and that I was a "habesha" (Ethiopian).
In Ethiopia we are constantly bombarded with the loss and tragedy, and poverty. It can be hardening when every month you hear about your coworkers family, or neighbor's child, or friends sister dying. The constant and multiple homeless people asking for money on the bus, and the homeless children can be overwhelming. But, I think the worst part is the senselessness of it. If I remember correctly, the average life span of people in rural areas is around fifty. I was talking to my site mate yesterday about the horrible problem with blindness in this country. You constantly see people who have lost their sight over a simple infection. It is amazing that people still go blind from something so simple. A tube of the ointment that would cure their infection costs about the price of a cup of coffee here. That is twenty-five US cents! I don't know why my friend's sister died, but I can't help but wonder if it was something simple, and easily treatable. One of the things that has really been brought home to me this last year is the privilege we have in America. I was brought up in a home where I never wanted. I had everything I ever needed and most of what I wanted. On top of that we have so many freedoms and we neglect most of them. We have the freedom to vote for who we want but many of us never even register to vote much less actually cast a vote. We have the right to a fair trial in court, the right to say and write what we want, and now the right to marry the person we love. In many countries all over the world people don't have some, or even any of these rights and we don't give it a second thought. If nothing else, I hope this is the thing that I keep with me for the rest of my life and remember never to take for granted again.
It is hard to believe I only have eight and a half months left in my service! I feel like time has flown and I have so much left I want to accomplish. I don't even want to think about when I am going to have to say goodbye to all my friends, both PC and Ethiopian. Although I will admit to already having started planning my going away party! It has been an interesting couple of months. I am glad I get to spend a little time away from Addis after all the time I have spent there recently. I am excited about some upcoming events I am in the process of getting together. I am working on getting a small community camp planned to teach students about HIV, and gender issues. My site mate and I are also trying to get a training together to teach HIV positive women how to create a bio-intensive gardens at their house to help feed them and their families. Of course, as usual, we will have to keep our fingers crossed that things come together like we are hoping or we even get them to happen at all.
There was an interesting event yesterday, some people were caught stealing from a house in one of the rural kabeles. They were brought to the police station awaiting...whatever is going to happen to them (no one seemed to know what that would be). But what really amazed me is that the accused were put on display in the police station compound. It seemed to me that the whole town came out to see them and I was amazed when all of my coworkers went streaming out of the compound. I know peoples photos are available after arrests in America, but this was the court of public opinion to the extreme. I don't know if they were innocent or guilty, but people sure have made up their minds. Not only that, but the rumors going around town were flabber ghasting. I was told by my best Ethiopian friend that the accused has used magic to keep the house owners asleep while they stole from them. Another person told me they blew marijuana in their faces to keep them from waking up. Just what people would believe was incredible. I don't know what people would do if they were innocent, but I sure hope they aren't because they are guilty in the eyes of the community.
On a sadder note, one of my best friend's, in Gasera, sister just died. I noticed he wasn't acting right, but wasn't sure what was wrong. Then yesterday I was with some friends and he explained and invited us to come to the mourning. I have been making sure to avoid any chance of having to go to a mourning since I got here, but of course, as he is a good friend, I felt I had too. As much as I feel bad saying it, I was thankful to have missed the part where the family and friends wail and cry over the loss. But I was glad to be there for my friend. It was interesting seeing the differences and similarities between the cultures. What I was invited to would most resemble a wake in America, but, the main difference being that here it lasts for about a week. I arrived and, of course, there were the usual comments about the foreigner coming, then food, snacks, and coffee were served. That was followed by just general conversation and I was surprised a fair amount of joking and laughing. I was expecting a more somber mood, but at that point it had turned into just being there with the family for support, but an otherwise normal day. I felt honored that even though he was going through all of the grief of losing a sister, that my friend still came to my defense when people were calling me a "forenji" and he told them not to call me that and that I was a "habesha" (Ethiopian).
In Ethiopia we are constantly bombarded with the loss and tragedy, and poverty. It can be hardening when every month you hear about your coworkers family, or neighbor's child, or friends sister dying. The constant and multiple homeless people asking for money on the bus, and the homeless children can be overwhelming. But, I think the worst part is the senselessness of it. If I remember correctly, the average life span of people in rural areas is around fifty. I was talking to my site mate yesterday about the horrible problem with blindness in this country. You constantly see people who have lost their sight over a simple infection. It is amazing that people still go blind from something so simple. A tube of the ointment that would cure their infection costs about the price of a cup of coffee here. That is twenty-five US cents! I don't know why my friend's sister died, but I can't help but wonder if it was something simple, and easily treatable. One of the things that has really been brought home to me this last year is the privilege we have in America. I was brought up in a home where I never wanted. I had everything I ever needed and most of what I wanted. On top of that we have so many freedoms and we neglect most of them. We have the freedom to vote for who we want but many of us never even register to vote much less actually cast a vote. We have the right to a fair trial in court, the right to say and write what we want, and now the right to marry the person we love. In many countries all over the world people don't have some, or even any of these rights and we don't give it a second thought. If nothing else, I hope this is the thing that I keep with me for the rest of my life and remember never to take for granted again.
Monday, June 22, 2015
To Addis and Back and Back again
6/18
Well, I am back at site and re-settled in. Of course, that will last only two weeks before I am back to Addis. Still, I have enjoyed all the reasons to go to Addis recently and have accomplished a lot. The last trip was a planning meeting for GAD (gender and development). I am interested to see who our new volunteers will be. As G12 finishes their IST (In Service Training) it is almost time for G13 to arrive. It will be cool to see all their new, tired, jet lagged, overworked (already), and culture shocked faces. I can't say I am the best influence on them, but few of the newbies I meet forget who I am!
As some of you already know I was just in Addis also to help train G12. I helped facilitate a meeting explaining what GAD is about, and why they should join. I also helped with a soaps and salve making session. Then of course there was my favorite, BEEKEEPING! I helped one of the bee researchers train about the generals of beekeeping and all the uses of it Then I helped show them how to build a beehive, as well as purifying wax, processing honey, and how to make beeveils from local material. Not to brag, but I was pretty happy with myself when one of the researchers complimented me. At first it was translated to me as him having said I was "gobez" or smart. Well, what he actually said was that you are so knowledgeable you must "eat with the bees." I also got to sting a couple people. Some of them weren't sure if they were allergic so I captured a bee with some pliers and had them sting the volunteers. It was funny seeing how people reacted. For some reason, no one seemed to believe me that African bees sting is worse then the bees in America, well, at least, not till after they got stung. But the training went really well, I think most of the volunteers were very entertained by it, and I think some of them are already applying the training and getting stuff in motion.
Getting back to site was a mess, I won't go into details because it still upsets me, but I will just say that it made me even more set in working with the Gender and Development Committee to promote gender equality in Ethiopia.
Then on the bus from Robe to Gasera the bus was way above capacity so I had to stand the whole two hours back home. It was fine, except the lady next to me sitting down had her young baby. The baby liked seeing it's first white person and kept grabbing my hand, but his head was in the aisle and I couldn't help but bump it sometimes since the road is really rough. She kept fussing at me, but since there was a person in front of me, and many behind me, and I was already leaning against the chair on the opposite side I couldn't move at all and she didn't get the fact that if she just turned the baby around that his feet would be the thing sticking out and it wouldn't matter if I bumped those (or even if she held the baby a different way he wouldn't be in the aisle at all). And speaking of the person behind me, he was sitting on a car part in the aisle behind me and kept falling asleep, which I would have loved to do too, except that since I was standing his head kept falling right onto the middle of my butt. So, the whole ride I had to deal with an overcrowded, overheated bus, with people fussing at me and falling asleep in very uncomfortable places.
Well, I am supposed to help give a beekeeping training here at site and it is conveniently just across the street from my house. So until next time.
Trey
P.S. (6/19) So no one turned up for the training where I was expected so I walked halfway through town to the office and asked where they were. They called the training and found out it was at the gorge. I managed to get a ride there but we didn't find anyone so we asked if anyone had seen them. We were then told they were inside the gorge. Peering over the edge we found out they were a ten minute walk down the side of the gorge. Regardless, it was an interesting, if very brief, training. I am hoping that the people will work with me from the start and that maybe we can actually get them doing some modern techniques.
Well, I am back at site and re-settled in. Of course, that will last only two weeks before I am back to Addis. Still, I have enjoyed all the reasons to go to Addis recently and have accomplished a lot. The last trip was a planning meeting for GAD (gender and development). I am interested to see who our new volunteers will be. As G12 finishes their IST (In Service Training) it is almost time for G13 to arrive. It will be cool to see all their new, tired, jet lagged, overworked (already), and culture shocked faces. I can't say I am the best influence on them, but few of the newbies I meet forget who I am!
As some of you already know I was just in Addis also to help train G12. I helped facilitate a meeting explaining what GAD is about, and why they should join. I also helped with a soaps and salve making session. Then of course there was my favorite, BEEKEEPING! I helped one of the bee researchers train about the generals of beekeeping and all the uses of it Then I helped show them how to build a beehive, as well as purifying wax, processing honey, and how to make beeveils from local material. Not to brag, but I was pretty happy with myself when one of the researchers complimented me. At first it was translated to me as him having said I was "gobez" or smart. Well, what he actually said was that you are so knowledgeable you must "eat with the bees." I also got to sting a couple people. Some of them weren't sure if they were allergic so I captured a bee with some pliers and had them sting the volunteers. It was funny seeing how people reacted. For some reason, no one seemed to believe me that African bees sting is worse then the bees in America, well, at least, not till after they got stung. But the training went really well, I think most of the volunteers were very entertained by it, and I think some of them are already applying the training and getting stuff in motion.
Getting back to site was a mess, I won't go into details because it still upsets me, but I will just say that it made me even more set in working with the Gender and Development Committee to promote gender equality in Ethiopia.
Then on the bus from Robe to Gasera the bus was way above capacity so I had to stand the whole two hours back home. It was fine, except the lady next to me sitting down had her young baby. The baby liked seeing it's first white person and kept grabbing my hand, but his head was in the aisle and I couldn't help but bump it sometimes since the road is really rough. She kept fussing at me, but since there was a person in front of me, and many behind me, and I was already leaning against the chair on the opposite side I couldn't move at all and she didn't get the fact that if she just turned the baby around that his feet would be the thing sticking out and it wouldn't matter if I bumped those (or even if she held the baby a different way he wouldn't be in the aisle at all). And speaking of the person behind me, he was sitting on a car part in the aisle behind me and kept falling asleep, which I would have loved to do too, except that since I was standing his head kept falling right onto the middle of my butt. So, the whole ride I had to deal with an overcrowded, overheated bus, with people fussing at me and falling asleep in very uncomfortable places.
Well, I am supposed to help give a beekeeping training here at site and it is conveniently just across the street from my house. So until next time.
Trey
P.S. (6/19) So no one turned up for the training where I was expected so I walked halfway through town to the office and asked where they were. They called the training and found out it was at the gorge. I managed to get a ride there but we didn't find anyone so we asked if anyone had seen them. We were then told they were inside the gorge. Peering over the edge we found out they were a ten minute walk down the side of the gorge. Regardless, it was an interesting, if very brief, training. I am hoping that the people will work with me from the start and that maybe we can actually get them doing some modern techniques.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Back To Addis...again!
6/4-
On my way to Addis again. I swear I am there more than at site. It seems like only last week I was there for mid-service conference. Now, I am heading in for a GAD meeting and to help do a beekeeping training training for G12, one of the other groups of volunteers. Since it takes two days for me to get to Addis I decided I would do my overnight in Butajira, my training site and where my host family lives. I got to spend all morning with my family. They were very excited to see me and greeted me with hugs and kisses on the cheek. As soon as I arrived they were cooking scrambled eggs and tea for me. When I finished they roasted, ground, and cooked coffee for me. After that I had Qolo (think granola made of barely and chick peas) and a beer. It was nice to just sit on the front porch again and chat with my host family. It seems like forever since I saw them last, I guess it has been a year, and I did get scolded for not calling and visiting enough. For lunch it was my host mom's home cooked bayanet and another beer then my host dad walked me all the way to the bus station, nearly a two kilometer walk. It was great getting to see everyone again and I have to make sure to visit again before I leave.
On my way to Addis again. I swear I am there more than at site. It seems like only last week I was there for mid-service conference. Now, I am heading in for a GAD meeting and to help do a beekeeping training training for G12, one of the other groups of volunteers. Since it takes two days for me to get to Addis I decided I would do my overnight in Butajira, my training site and where my host family lives. I got to spend all morning with my family. They were very excited to see me and greeted me with hugs and kisses on the cheek. As soon as I arrived they were cooking scrambled eggs and tea for me. When I finished they roasted, ground, and cooked coffee for me. After that I had Qolo (think granola made of barely and chick peas) and a beer. It was nice to just sit on the front porch again and chat with my host family. It seems like forever since I saw them last, I guess it has been a year, and I did get scolded for not calling and visiting enough. For lunch it was my host mom's home cooked bayanet and another beer then my host dad walked me all the way to the bus station, nearly a two kilometer walk. It was great getting to see everyone again and I have to make sure to visit again before I leave.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Ethiopian Elections and Bodily Functions
5/25
We survived the election! But, seriously the Ethiopian national election was yesterday. PC was on high alert just to be on the safe side. We were recommended to stay at our own house during the voting to make sure everyone was in a place PC could reach us. Of course, with the cell network down for the last week I am not sure how they really thought they could reach me at all... I was not worried about the election since my town is relatively small, and peaceful. But, I did stay at my house, not because PC recommended it, but because the power was on ALL DAY! It was the first time in at least six months. To be honest, I only moved from my bed to go to the bathroom; for the rest of time I was watching the series "Grimm," I even cooked and ate from my bed. I finished about a season and a half yesterday, my site mate came to my house to make sure I wasn't sick since he hadn't seen me, I then told him how I had to change my lunch plans because I was too lazy to put on real clothes and go the twenty steps out my front door to buy some bread. All in all I consider it a very successful day!
On Saturday we went to the market just to get some supplies and eat prickly-pear fruit. I still have the spines(hair-like prickers) from the fruit in my hand, and I am pretty sure one in my lip. From now on I am letting the Habesha peel my fruit for me. When we finished we went for coffee and we were hanging out in front of Aster's coffee house. The electronics store next door was playing music and "I'm Sexy and I Know It" by LMFAO came on. Ali, the store keeper, skipped it as he does all forenji music until I went over and fussed at him. He quickly turned it back and I started singing dancing in front of the coffee house. About that time one of the large buses loaded down with well over a hundred people drove slowly by. The redats (door men) cheered me on, and the passengers could all be seen with their faces pressed to the windows to watch the white boy dancing. How is that for spreading understanding of Americans to Ethiopia!
Last fun story for now: I was at MSC (mid service training) in the "Teaching HIV at camps" session. It was time for Jeopardy and we had to decide who would go first. In true PC fashion it was decided that the last person to have crapped their pants would be first to go. Everyone began to try and figure out if they were first, it was settled that someone who had a few months ago would be first to go when I raised my hand. I said that I was pretty certain I would be first having had a problem about two weeks prior. I won, and our team went on to dominate!
Random thought, you learn to love the rain after you do laundry. At least, those of us who are lazy do. Doing laundry by hand is the worst. Ask my mom, I used to hate doing laundry because I don't like to fold clothes. Well now, doing laundry entails wetting, soaping, scrubbing, rinse scrubbing, rinsing, and THEN folding. So you can image how I now feel about laundry. Since my laundry lady stopped doing laundry (I am not sure if she was fired, or decided she doesn't like doing it, or what) I have been doing my own. No surprise, I am lazy about it, and often skip the second rinse. That means, that quite often my laundry goes on the line to dry with a little ,or a lot, of soap still on it. But, that is where the rain comes in. The Ethiopian second rinse is a well known/loved part of the Ethiopian weather by PCVs.
Crapping in a hole... when people think of travelling to foreign countries they often dread the hole. I don't know if it is because we think it is unsanitary, even though our rears never have to touch something that was touched by a thousand other peoples butt cheeks that day; or if we think it will be uncomfortable, you do have to figure out the right position so your legs don't go to sleep but after that it is so much more...linear for things to make their way out. But I really have come to enjoy them. Don't get me wrong, a nice porcelain throne can make a day once in a while. But I really do like the way a shinta bet works. Now, to be fair there are BAD shinta bets. Whether it is lack of cleanliness, or the ever dreaded splash back!!! Imagine squatting over a hole in the ground, doing your business above a lake of filth below, then all of a sudden you hear a splash and feel the drips of a million bowel movements ever so (not)gently hit your buttocks. The thoughts that go through your mind are hardly repeatable in a blog. But, horror stories aside I think I am going to miss the squat toilet.
Hopefully I have entertained, and disgusted a few of you. The rest, well this is just how my brain is functioning today. I should soon be back to the more orderly, and fulfilling blog posts shortly. Until next time.
We survived the election! But, seriously the Ethiopian national election was yesterday. PC was on high alert just to be on the safe side. We were recommended to stay at our own house during the voting to make sure everyone was in a place PC could reach us. Of course, with the cell network down for the last week I am not sure how they really thought they could reach me at all... I was not worried about the election since my town is relatively small, and peaceful. But, I did stay at my house, not because PC recommended it, but because the power was on ALL DAY! It was the first time in at least six months. To be honest, I only moved from my bed to go to the bathroom; for the rest of time I was watching the series "Grimm," I even cooked and ate from my bed. I finished about a season and a half yesterday, my site mate came to my house to make sure I wasn't sick since he hadn't seen me, I then told him how I had to change my lunch plans because I was too lazy to put on real clothes and go the twenty steps out my front door to buy some bread. All in all I consider it a very successful day!
On Saturday we went to the market just to get some supplies and eat prickly-pear fruit. I still have the spines(hair-like prickers) from the fruit in my hand, and I am pretty sure one in my lip. From now on I am letting the Habesha peel my fruit for me. When we finished we went for coffee and we were hanging out in front of Aster's coffee house. The electronics store next door was playing music and "I'm Sexy and I Know It" by LMFAO came on. Ali, the store keeper, skipped it as he does all forenji music until I went over and fussed at him. He quickly turned it back and I started singing dancing in front of the coffee house. About that time one of the large buses loaded down with well over a hundred people drove slowly by. The redats (door men) cheered me on, and the passengers could all be seen with their faces pressed to the windows to watch the white boy dancing. How is that for spreading understanding of Americans to Ethiopia!
Last fun story for now: I was at MSC (mid service training) in the "Teaching HIV at camps" session. It was time for Jeopardy and we had to decide who would go first. In true PC fashion it was decided that the last person to have crapped their pants would be first to go. Everyone began to try and figure out if they were first, it was settled that someone who had a few months ago would be first to go when I raised my hand. I said that I was pretty certain I would be first having had a problem about two weeks prior. I won, and our team went on to dominate!
Random thought, you learn to love the rain after you do laundry. At least, those of us who are lazy do. Doing laundry by hand is the worst. Ask my mom, I used to hate doing laundry because I don't like to fold clothes. Well now, doing laundry entails wetting, soaping, scrubbing, rinse scrubbing, rinsing, and THEN folding. So you can image how I now feel about laundry. Since my laundry lady stopped doing laundry (I am not sure if she was fired, or decided she doesn't like doing it, or what) I have been doing my own. No surprise, I am lazy about it, and often skip the second rinse. That means, that quite often my laundry goes on the line to dry with a little ,or a lot, of soap still on it. But, that is where the rain comes in. The Ethiopian second rinse is a well known/loved part of the Ethiopian weather by PCVs.
Crapping in a hole... when people think of travelling to foreign countries they often dread the hole. I don't know if it is because we think it is unsanitary, even though our rears never have to touch something that was touched by a thousand other peoples butt cheeks that day; or if we think it will be uncomfortable, you do have to figure out the right position so your legs don't go to sleep but after that it is so much more...linear for things to make their way out. But I really have come to enjoy them. Don't get me wrong, a nice porcelain throne can make a day once in a while. But I really do like the way a shinta bet works. Now, to be fair there are BAD shinta bets. Whether it is lack of cleanliness, or the ever dreaded splash back!!! Imagine squatting over a hole in the ground, doing your business above a lake of filth below, then all of a sudden you hear a splash and feel the drips of a million bowel movements ever so (not)gently hit your buttocks. The thoughts that go through your mind are hardly repeatable in a blog. But, horror stories aside I think I am going to miss the squat toilet.
Hopefully I have entertained, and disgusted a few of you. The rest, well this is just how my brain is functioning today. I should soon be back to the more orderly, and fulfilling blog posts shortly. Until next time.
One Year Service
5/17
G10 is now one year into service. It is hard to image even what I was doing one year ago. How scary it was coming to site. Trying to figure out what the heck I was doing in the middle of rural Ethiopia, or what I was going to do with myself for two whole years here. Now, some days I can honestly say I still ask the same questions. But, some days I can't help but wonder about how I am in Africa, living, and working among new friends and people I could never have imagined a year ago. I'm reading a book now called "One Hand Does Not Catch A Buffalo." It is a book that was created as one in a series about the development of Peace Corps and to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Reading it is reinforcing the amazing history I have found myself a part of.
For those of you who really don't know what Peace Corps is, or what we REALLY do I want to explain a little. For that I am going to add a little history first. The PC was proposed several times before it was actually adopted. When it was put before President Nixon, it was rejected as just another way for people to "dodge" the draft. Then Kennedy, as a presidential candidate, on October 14, 1960 asked students at the University of Michigan at 2 a.m. how many would be prepared to give years of their lives working in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The day after his election the new President asked Sargent Shriver to form a presidential task force to report how the Peace Corps should be organized, and to make it happen. Within one month the report was presented to the president on the morning of Friday, February 24, 1961 with the promise that "If you decide to go ahead, we can be in business by Monday morning." From that, the PC was conceived with the goals of "contributing to the development of critical countries and regions; promoting international cooperation and goodwill towards this country; and contributing to the education of America and to more intelligent American participation in the world." To this day the Peace Corps still works towards these same, slightly reworded, ideas.
In February, 2014, I joined the ranks of Peace Corps volunteers to train for Peace Corps service. At the inception of PC volunteers had to do training such as Tarzan style rope swings into nets, and morning runs, things like language training, home stay, and yes, even drinking the local home-made alcohols remain to this day an integral part of training, Many other things have been removed from the training program. The main theme of every PC post in the world is integration. Some volunteers may never have what they consider a "successful" project. But, making household gardens, or teaching English is not what PC is about. Sure, those may play a role in what we do, but goal two and three are all about understanding. If we can help our community understand American culture, and bring back our host countries culture to America then we have succeeded in our service.
All of that is great, but it doesn't really tell you what Peace Corps Volunteers really do! We promote world peace, we spread culture, we help train people to better their lives and the lives of their countrymen. But, what does that mean. Well if you ask any PCV what they thought they were coming to do when they joined PC, nine times out of ten they will say "I wanted to change the world." Then if you ask Returned Peace Corps Volunteers what they did they will say I am the one that changed. We who join PC are the idealists. The people who want to go out and teach a community, and see their whole communities lives change. Then when you get into your host community and see how things really work you start to understand that probably isn't going to happen. But, what really changes? Other than yourself, it is the people you interact with day to day. Maybe you teach a women to make a tippy tap to wash their hands before they feed their baby and help prevent the baby from catching a water borne illness. Or perhaps you teach a man living with HIV how to make a bio-intensive garden so he can feed himself. Or maybe you tutor a student and help them do better on their exams so they can get into university. There are plenty of examples of volunteers helping to build wells to help water their entire village, but by far the the average volunteer feels their service is a success from the small actions that affect one or two people. And, by affecting that one you better their lives. From there that one person tells one or two people, who in turn tells one or two more. And that one small action can change the whole community. That is what PC really is. The small actions, that can go on to change the world.
So if you are thinking about joining Peace Corps what is the advice I would give you? First of all I would say do it! Understand that when they say it is the "toughest job you will ever love" they aren't kidding. PC service will try you in every way possible. You will have the worst days of your life, and the best. I would also say come with the idea of "changing the world." Maybe you will realize that you probably aren't going to change the world. But it is like one of my favorite quotes "what is an ocean but a multitude of drops." So while you might not change the world; you will be part of a history of PCVs who are changing the world and making it a better place.
G10 is now one year into service. It is hard to image even what I was doing one year ago. How scary it was coming to site. Trying to figure out what the heck I was doing in the middle of rural Ethiopia, or what I was going to do with myself for two whole years here. Now, some days I can honestly say I still ask the same questions. But, some days I can't help but wonder about how I am in Africa, living, and working among new friends and people I could never have imagined a year ago. I'm reading a book now called "One Hand Does Not Catch A Buffalo." It is a book that was created as one in a series about the development of Peace Corps and to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Reading it is reinforcing the amazing history I have found myself a part of.
For those of you who really don't know what Peace Corps is, or what we REALLY do I want to explain a little. For that I am going to add a little history first. The PC was proposed several times before it was actually adopted. When it was put before President Nixon, it was rejected as just another way for people to "dodge" the draft. Then Kennedy, as a presidential candidate, on October 14, 1960 asked students at the University of Michigan at 2 a.m. how many would be prepared to give years of their lives working in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The day after his election the new President asked Sargent Shriver to form a presidential task force to report how the Peace Corps should be organized, and to make it happen. Within one month the report was presented to the president on the morning of Friday, February 24, 1961 with the promise that "If you decide to go ahead, we can be in business by Monday morning." From that, the PC was conceived with the goals of "contributing to the development of critical countries and regions; promoting international cooperation and goodwill towards this country; and contributing to the education of America and to more intelligent American participation in the world." To this day the Peace Corps still works towards these same, slightly reworded, ideas.
In February, 2014, I joined the ranks of Peace Corps volunteers to train for Peace Corps service. At the inception of PC volunteers had to do training such as Tarzan style rope swings into nets, and morning runs, things like language training, home stay, and yes, even drinking the local home-made alcohols remain to this day an integral part of training, Many other things have been removed from the training program. The main theme of every PC post in the world is integration. Some volunteers may never have what they consider a "successful" project. But, making household gardens, or teaching English is not what PC is about. Sure, those may play a role in what we do, but goal two and three are all about understanding. If we can help our community understand American culture, and bring back our host countries culture to America then we have succeeded in our service.
All of that is great, but it doesn't really tell you what Peace Corps Volunteers really do! We promote world peace, we spread culture, we help train people to better their lives and the lives of their countrymen. But, what does that mean. Well if you ask any PCV what they thought they were coming to do when they joined PC, nine times out of ten they will say "I wanted to change the world." Then if you ask Returned Peace Corps Volunteers what they did they will say I am the one that changed. We who join PC are the idealists. The people who want to go out and teach a community, and see their whole communities lives change. Then when you get into your host community and see how things really work you start to understand that probably isn't going to happen. But, what really changes? Other than yourself, it is the people you interact with day to day. Maybe you teach a women to make a tippy tap to wash their hands before they feed their baby and help prevent the baby from catching a water borne illness. Or perhaps you teach a man living with HIV how to make a bio-intensive garden so he can feed himself. Or maybe you tutor a student and help them do better on their exams so they can get into university. There are plenty of examples of volunteers helping to build wells to help water their entire village, but by far the the average volunteer feels their service is a success from the small actions that affect one or two people. And, by affecting that one you better their lives. From there that one person tells one or two people, who in turn tells one or two more. And that one small action can change the whole community. That is what PC really is. The small actions, that can go on to change the world.
So if you are thinking about joining Peace Corps what is the advice I would give you? First of all I would say do it! Understand that when they say it is the "toughest job you will ever love" they aren't kidding. PC service will try you in every way possible. You will have the worst days of your life, and the best. I would also say come with the idea of "changing the world." Maybe you will realize that you probably aren't going to change the world. But it is like one of my favorite quotes "what is an ocean but a multitude of drops." So while you might not change the world; you will be part of a history of PCVs who are changing the world and making it a better place.
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