Eye opening

These last few days have really opened my eyes to the true Ethiopia. Last time I was here I was with an older lady, and part of our trip was through a tour company, which I think shelters any tourist from the negative aspects of a culture/ country. Also being with an older lady made a huge difference I'm how I was treated on the streets. They respect older people. This trip I was a single white girl, which to the local layabouts translates to please harass. they are much more hostile then Kenyans. Kenyans are happy, friendly people, and when most of them see a white person they are friendly, even more so if you know the language. But here it is quite the opposite. I went for a walk to buy bread with my cousin who speaks amharic, and has lived in this area for 5+ years, and we were still rudely harassed.

Despite what you might have heard or read in the news, Ethiopia is far from democratic, caring country. I thought that kenya was bad with their extremely corrupt politicians, but people at least have a voice in Kenya. Here it is almost communism with a happy face. In Addis there is much development, but also much too much poverty. All the media outlets are owned by the government, so there is no criticism, and the prime minister has been in power for 18 years.

I don't think people can truly understand how awesome America is until you visit a place like this. You can't understand what freedom really even means. Of course America has problems, but that is part of the awesomeness of freedom, we can debate, fight, say whatever we want about these problems, and there are no consequences. I was asking the taxi driver from the airport what he thought of the government and it took him about 15 minutes to really open up and tell me his opinion. Afterward he told me that if you are overheard complaining about the government you can get in trouble. Americans think that It is a basic right to speak our minds. Can you imagine living in a place like this?

Suz

The New Flower

Even though I have been here before, it is shocking how different it is. Everything, the people the food the customs. I was discussing this with my cousin that lives in addis and as she said, "kenya and ethiopia are different enough to be a vacation from each other." the social and cultural stress are very different, and both fascinating.

I love cultures and figuring out the influences and reasons behind cultural norms. Ethiopia's written history dates back to before Christ, and in many ways is similar to the Jewish faith. How fascinatingly awesome is that!

I am currently typing this on my iPhone, which is a bit difficult, so this is going to be the end of this entry.

Love to u all!
Suz

The wisdom of Pooh

One thing that i really like to collect is quotes. Poems, sayings, verses, whatever. i enjoy the way other people can phrase ideas in different ways. i have a book that i have been writing in since 2002, and i love to go through them and either think of where i was when i wrote it down, or evoke the certain thoughts and feelings that only some people can seems to put into words.

My mom recently sent me a book full of quotes for Christmas and one of my favorites was from Winnie the pooh. i love Winnie the pooh. he is so sweet and calm, and whenever disaster strikes he seems to keep his wits about him. he seems like the best friend someone could ask for. I just wanted to share the wisdom that i got from Winnie. Enjoy.

If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver then you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter the you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you. 

Winnie

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh," he whispered. 

"Yes, Piglet?"

"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, "I just wanted to be sure of you."

Winnie

Suz

Leaving the Country

Inside an old chapel, you must cover your head.

This is a last minute decision, but due to the terms of my visa, i have to leave the country, and come back in order to get a new visa. So i have decided to visit Ethiopia for 6 days. I will be staying in Addis Ababa and visiting a few friends. I really love this country and i am excited to explore it a little more. Addis Ababa is actually one of the safer cities in Africa, and i have good information and advice from friends, so i will be very safe.

One of the first churches in the area. Entonto

Where i am staying is the oldest stone building in Addis. it was originally the living quarters of the queen of the turn of the century. It is pretty run down now, and kind of a hub for backpackers, but it is still an interesting place to stay. I wont bore you with more history, but if you are interested in visiting Africa, Ethiopia must be on your list! 

Even though i have checked with immigration, i would still really appreciate prayers for smooth, safe travels and the visa process entering into Kenya be an easy one. 

A church actually carved down into the rocks, amazing! Lalibela

Thank you all for all of your support and prayers during these last months, i really feel them and know that God is by my side. I love you all, and hope that things are well! 

xoxox 

Suz

About Food

During my time here i have learned a lot about food. Firstly i have learned that i have become mainly a vegetarian. I have nothing against the consumption of meat, but when i have to kill my own chickens and rabbits that i have been watching grow, and taking care of, it kind of turns my stomach. I think being raised in the states away from the actual production of food, and watching so many Disney movies, it makes a person a little sensitive towards animals. Not that there is anything wrong with the use of animals, animals were put on earth to provide us with food and assist us with our daily tasks. But being disneyfied and imagining all of my stuffed animals to have feelings, it is hard to make that leap to treating them like things.

Secondly, i have learned how to cook. I mean really cook. from scratch. Sometimes when i get really sick of mashed food, i want to cook something a bit more American or Mexican. But often times you can't find many ingredients in the stores so i have to cook my ground beef, tortillas, and salsa from scratch. It has been sometimes fun, and sometimes a disaster. I haven't learned to just make American food, i have slowly been learning Kenyan, or meru food as well. i am quite an accomplished chapati maker. everything else i am not so interested in learning so therefore i am not so great at it. Githari, corn and beans, muckimo, mashed bananas, potatoes, greens, and corn, and ugali, boiled corn flour. These three foods are the staple of a Meru diet. And they don't have very much flavor.

Kenya has an interesting mix of Indian spices and foods mixed in with the more traditional foods like i mentioned above. When Kenya was still a British colony they brought over many Indians to build the railroads. Chapatis for instance are Indian. But the Kenyans have taken chapatis and made them their own. Somehow they make them a bit differently, but when i ask the difference they say they say that Indian chapatis just taste bad. Other spices like Marsala's and chilies have also become a staple in the Kenyan kitchen.

For those of you interested in trying some Kenyan/Indian food for yourself, i have found a really great website with a mix of both. I have gotten quite a few good recipes off of it, and i hope you enjoy it as well! pikachakula.com


love to you all!
xoxo
Suz

Nairobi revisited

Here i am, back in Nairobi. I am here trying to figure out more visa/permit stuff. I think the answer will be that i will have to leave the country for a bit. So if any of you are on the continent, or near by, let me know! in the mean time i have been enjoying the culinary experience of Nairobi immensely. By this i mean mostly KFC, lots and lots of espresso, burgers, and salads. it has been a nice break from mashed food. Everywhere else in the country you must cook all vegetables before eating. Back in the 80's i think there was a cholera outbreak so this became necessary, and then a habit. yuk, i am so sick of cooked spinach. I never understood why the cartoons of my childhood made fun of cooked spinach, i always liked the raw stuff, but now i do.

KFC is so weird! It is where rich people go. It is full of rich Kenyans, and Indians, and of course the whites. I was so excited to find one here, but a meal is around 15-20$. You go and order at the counter, and for the rest of the meal you are waited on like in a sit down restaurant. Such a turn around from the obese, white people hang out it has become in the States.

I have now been staying in Nairobi for a week, and it has certainly been a little different then i am used to. The apartment i am staying in doesn't have any running water. I really don't mind this so much, except for washing dishes is a real pain. The shocking thing to me is how much water we go though in a week. They have two big plastic water tanks, and 5 buckets that are filled with water every week. It is filled by the watchman, so the people i live with don't actually do any of the fetching. In rural areas it is the norm to not have running water, so they must go and fetch water in 20L jugs, and can usually carry one, but maybe two containers. Water becomes so much more valuable when you have to work so hard to get it.

Another thing i love about Nairobi, no staring. Kenyans in Nairobi are used to seeing white people, and so i am not the oddity that i am in Meru. I cannot express how nice this is. in Meru there are maybe 2 residential white people. No matter where i go, people know who i am, and where i am coming from. Of course i have gotten used to it, to a certain extent, but i miss being anonymous. My actions are always watched and my entire race/country is judge for it. it becomes exhausting. Parents always want to bring their children over to greet me, or i get harassed by the local layabouts.

When i stand before God at the end of my life, i would hope that i would not have a 

single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." 

Erma Bonbeck

Hope that everyone is well, and love to you all!
xoxo Suzanne