October 5th

It stopped raining!!!!!!!!!!!! I had the funniest thing happen last night. I was on my way to the Sheridan to meet my friends for diner. It is the fanciest hotel in Ethiopia and there are some truly rich people who mingle there. I walked out of my house in my very cute outfit and went to my usual taxi stand. However…. there were some taxis but not a driver anywhere. So… I continued on down the street and couldn’t find a taxi anywhere. It was uncomfortable because it was after dark and I was way overdressed for the area.

A beat up blue and white mini bus taxi called me. Now to set the scene, even the upper class Ethiopians would never get into this kind of taxi. I negotiated the price and hopped in. The driver and his best friend were so funny. They thought I was from Italy and I let them know America. So they asked my family roots. I told them that my Father is mostly Irish and my mother native American. He nodded his head seriously and said, “oh, so you are a half caste” I laughed all night about this.

I pulled into the Sheraton and was passed by stretch Limos. Even the guards laughed at my lack of caring about my image:)

On Wednesday night we were invited by my fiends at the Spanish Embassy to attend a Flamenco dancing presentation at the National Theater. The place is BEAUTIFUL. We brought over 50 of our women and I wish you could have seen the wonder in their faces. It was precious.

Today I’ve been busy with the restaurant and the beauty shop. The women are so eager to learn it makes it easy to teach. We are also working to raise chickens. I’ve got to admit that part is a little out of my field.