Okay, that's the subtitle of Sister Act 2, a movie I just requested from the library but it's totally fitting...because I'm back in Canada. Canada, also known as 'the West' or 'the first world' or 'the developed world' or 'America'. I don't know if any of these make sense since they all depend on where you're standing and how you see the world. I like to think I don't see the world in these terms but no matter how we try to fight it, we're all still part of the system and it's hard not to buy into some of this stuff.
Thus, having returned from the developing, third world, here are some things I miss already. The smell of fire. The smell of Ethiopian coffee (or buna in Amharic) beans roasting. Being somewhere new, different and unknown. The slightly warmer weather. Connecting with new people. Trying to learn a few new words and phrases in a new language. Then wowing people by using said few words. Being mocked for opting for a vegetarian option. Discovering new music. Getting driven around in a white land cruiser and being offered the front seat because I'm a lady. Getting called 'China!'
Okay this last one is amusing because in areas where the Chinese have a strong presence most people visibly identifiable as foreigners get called China. This happened mostly in Guba where the Chinese are installing electricity. It also happened in Addis though which was particularly amusing to me as I happened to catch the kid noticing me and saw the expression on her face as she did and then watched her point and say 'China!' much to the embarrassment of her parents who shushed her immediately. Apparently this was quite amusing to the other customers and the staff at the coffee shop/restaurant I was at. The other term for a 'western' foreigner is Farenji, which I didn't actually learn until a week into my trip.
Anyway, here are some more photos. Of what, I'm not sure yet as I'm just going to pick at random.
Thus, having returned from the developing, third world, here are some things I miss already. The smell of fire. The smell of Ethiopian coffee (or buna in Amharic) beans roasting. Being somewhere new, different and unknown. The slightly warmer weather. Connecting with new people. Trying to learn a few new words and phrases in a new language. Then wowing people by using said few words. Being mocked for opting for a vegetarian option. Discovering new music. Getting driven around in a white land cruiser and being offered the front seat because I'm a lady. Getting called 'China!'
Okay this last one is amusing because in areas where the Chinese have a strong presence most people visibly identifiable as foreigners get called China. This happened mostly in Guba where the Chinese are installing electricity. It also happened in Addis though which was particularly amusing to me as I happened to catch the kid noticing me and saw the expression on her face as she did and then watched her point and say 'China!' much to the embarrassment of her parents who shushed her immediately. Apparently this was quite amusing to the other customers and the staff at the coffee shop/restaurant I was at. The other term for a 'western' foreigner is Farenji, which I didn't actually learn until a week into my trip.
Anyway, here are some more photos. Of what, I'm not sure yet as I'm just going to pick at random.
The fleet outside the CPAR-Ethiopia office in Addis
Private taxis used in Addis - aka the blue virus
Drinking buna in Guba with two colleagues
GREAT shots! A picture says a thousdand words and I love your expression while drinking Buna in the 3rd frame.
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