coming around...

I’ve been absent for a long time, probably most of my blog followers have given up on me and found more maintained blogs with better pictures, stories and grammar. My apologies to those of you who know me personally and enjoy my blog because it’s one of the few avenues you can stay connected to me (maybe I’m giving myself to much credit?). So here’s a blog for those who still bother checking: including photos and personal details: stuff that entertaining blogs are made out of!

 

(I've been busy exploring Ethiopia)

The truth of the matter is that for many months I struggled with something unfamiliar to me, and could be categorized by others as depression/self-absorption/laziness or a unwelcome reality check. Put simply, I got burnt out by Ethiopia. Fortunately I had a long series of visitors over the past 6 months all of whom came to visit me at my site and experience life as I know it here. Highlights include:

When Brett played guitar and sang for students at the primary school with me. We wrote a song together and the students still sing it with me when I work at the school. Hopefully they understood the message and are more inclined to wash their hands, eat vegetables and say please and thank you. Before he came to visit Brett was mostly a friend of a friend but I’m delighted to know that I have a great friend to go paragliding and mountain bike with when I return to Missoula!

Me and Brett wandering around the fields outside of my town.

Enjoying Lake Awassa with our very knowledgeable and unsuspecting bird guru.

John and Shana came to visit me in February and what an adventure we had. I don’t for see me having such long string of exotic expeditions ever again. Memorable and humors events are a guarantee whenever John’s around, and it was only made better by his lovely lady Shana who taught me a lot about being graceful in Africa and relishing each moment. We covered a lot in a short period of time and were all totally worn out by the end of it. Thanks for helping me re-discover Ethiopia Shana and John.

Bale Mountains National Park

Next up was Hayley, 

one of my best pen-pals since I arrived and the only friend I actually believed when she said she was coming to visit during my PC service. Hayley was the only person who could calm me when I was worked up and scared about moving to Ethiopia. She assured me that I could not have had better luck than to be place in the Horn of Africa, and I think she was right. Hayley and I had 2 weeks in Ethiopia where we got lucky enough to see a wild leopard, hippos, Ethiopian wolves and the elusive honey badger. To wrap up our time together we went to Zanzibar (which again I was reluctant to do and she talked me into it; she always seems to know what is best for me). The pictures will reveal that Zanzibar is absolutely the most beautiful place ever, with wonderful people and all the nonsense fun that a bundle of low-budget travelers could hope for.  We hit all the tourist spots, sampled everything from the ocean buffet and are all determined to end up there again someday soon. Forget San Francisco, I left my heart in Zanzibar. Hayley, Katheryn and I made great travel partners and feel confident that we will stir up trouble somewhere else soon.

Stone Town

Stone Town's windy back streets always leave you happily disoriented

Picturesque beaches of Nungwi

On the way to Memba island

Getting up close and personal with the oldest extant animals in the world!

Most recently my dad and step-aunt, Beverly came to visit for a whopping 3 weeks! I made sure they got the full experience of near-death minibus rides, nasty hotel rooms, bus station chaos and plenty of rainy weather. We also had a lot of luxuries that I was grateful for including private vehicles, fancy hotels, in country flights and constant cribbage partners. It was a very busy couple of weeks but I’m really happy that we filled our schedule so they could meet so many of my Ethiopian and PC friends, experience rural life, learn that Ethiopia is very lush and mountainous and give me the encouragement to finish my last 6 months here strong.

Like father like daughter

Hiking in Bale Mountains National Park

We make great travel companions together!

The next visitors that I look forward to receiving is my ever-beloved friend from high school, Sarah, who wants to have it really rough here so that she returns extra motivated before she starts her PhD program this fall. Don’t worry Sarah, I’ll make sure that you are eager to leave and spend the next 4 years living under florescent lights and chasing deadlines. No problem! I promise I’ll leave the embarrassing “congratulations on your transgender operation Sarah Sam” sign at home this time when I pick you up at the airport. You’re going to love Ethiopia and I can’t wait to see you!

2011 was too long ago!

Last but not least, my favorite Montana gentleman is coming, a.k.a. JOE! Despite the mileage, poor internet access and turmoil Joe still thinks I’m worth sticking around for. Ladies and gentleman please give this man a pat on the back, a tip of the hat or a high five if you see him because I adore him and he’s a stand-up guy for staying by my side. Ethiopia will be a great reunion for us and hopefully the first of many travels we will share together.

To encourage me to keep writing blog posts, please put your suggestions below!