Ethiopia is still on the Julian calendar; they never got the memo to switch to the Gregorian. So, New Years in Sept. 11th, there’s 13 months, and Christmas is celebrated on our Jan. 7th. It’s 2005. Those 7 years that just vanished in the Middle Ages happened here ;). Anyway, so it’s a bit strange that Christmas (well, ferenji Christmas) is just ( Read more... )

...or, why it is great to have guests who then go home to a good internet connection :)

My Dad took a ton of pictures while he was here, so I thought I'd share. The password is...wait for it...Ethiopia. I'm sure no one will figure that out ;)

Mekanissa: Mekanissa

Bahir Dar: Bahir Dar

Lalibela: LalibelaI haven't seen them yet, so let me know ( Read more... )

Still alive, still well, just busy and not online often.

I will spend my Thanksgiving morning teaching two classes, and then enjoying the afternoon off while waiting for 450 students to take my exam on Friday. Then...I will be doing a lot of grading and listening to music over the weekend :)

Hope all is well back home!

…or, the NGO Market strikes again ( Read more... )

So, my parents came to visit me here in early October ( Read more... )

The rainy season has ended! It rained every day in the month I’ve been here, though the rain was tapering off, mostly limited to afternoons or evenings. But it rained Monday…and hasn’t rained since ( Read more... )

First thing to notice: Prime Minister Meles Zenawi died while I was gone. So when I came back, his picture was *everywhere*. Literally (at least, here in Addis).Starting with a ‘shrine’ at the airport as you come in. There has been no change in the government; his responsibilities were just delegated to the other people who were already in ( Read more... )

I've mentioned that the cost of living is significantly lower here ( Read more... )

( ”Me )

I will soooo miss my niece and nephews! The littlest one won't remember me, I'm sure, since he just turned one and doesn't even walk or talk yet. Though he did let me hold him, so perhaps he has some vague memory of the time we spent together when he was 2-4 months old. But it's weird to think he'll be nearly two the next time I see him ( Read more... )