June 14th

We’ve been busy! Nan and Debra have done amazing work. One new house is open. It’s in honor of Nan’s friend Marta and it’s called “Marta’s Place” She painted it the sweetest pink and just above the window are beautiful roses and it feels so peaceful. On top of all that work she has taught the women to knit. It shows that she is a teacher. She gave them each needles and yarn and promised them more as they worked. They have all been like little bees. How could they have learned so quickly? I guess I really didn’t pay enough attention in my home economics class.

Yesterday we ran out of the city to a place called Lake Hora. It’s about a two hour drive from Addis, the Capital city. I’m still amazed to see cattle walking down the sidewalk. Now I’m not talking about a heard with someone watching. I’m talking about random single cows walking along with the people. How do they know when to go home? How do they know who they belong to? I’m still not sure about passing random bulls. I remember the “Ferdinand the Bull ” story too well.

On the way out of the city there is huge trucks, mostly Isuzu, the drivers chew Khat all day and all night to keep on the roads. There is no trucker regulations here.

Everything is green now. The rainy season is just starting so things are green but not muddy. Along the road side are lots of small houses called “sar bets” (grass house) One of the things I love is how the house is built. First a eucalyptus beam, called the alpha,is inserted in the middle and a circular mud and straw structure is built finally topped with a clay piece called the omega. I love the idea of a finish. I know at my house in the USA I’m never quite finished with anything.

The harvest of Tef, a small grass seed, is covered by straw so it looks like hay waiting to be bundled. There were lots of small towns that all looked alike, selling used clothes, sunglasses from China, watches that I am very sure must be the real thing.

The lake was beautiful but there are parasites in all the water in Ethiopia, except Lake Langano, so we didn’t venture in. We spread out a sheet and had a picnic together. Fun and peaceful.

Today we are back to work. I walked with Debra and Nan to the church right across the street from Women for Women. It is named St George after the patron saint of Ethiopia. It is widely believed that he helped Ethiopia in the battle of Adwa against the Italians. How else could it be that Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that was never colonized?

There was a large Funeral procession for someone from the Federal Police. When they first pulled up in the official car we were sure they were there to arrest Nan for taking pictures.

Now we are off to lunch after a full day of work. Yum!!!!!