Three weeks in Addis

Three weeks in Addis and loving it more every day. Last week I moved out of the hotel, but before I could move into Villa Jens I had to buy a bed at Merkato (the largest market in East-Africa). Together with Thea, a Maltese priest and two Ethiopians we started our adventure around Merkato buying a frame and a mattress from two different places, getting a 4x4-taxi to pick it both up (really separate sides of Merkato) and drive to Jens his house (still with 5 of us packed in the taxi, together with the bed). Once we completed this adventure, the next was to actually assemble the bed. An assignment that makes Ikea furniture Childs play.

During the week I was positively surprised by me new desk and computer (the administrative assistant already talked about it, but you never know when these things arrive). Only problem was that during the change of computers my work of the week, which I just finished, got lost on both the old and new computer. Well had a print-out, so a good opportunity to train my typing-speed.

On Saturday morning we were supposed to help out at a neighbourhood-centre near my house with handing out food and clothes to the children in the area, but unfortunately it was cancelled last minute. Today (Tuesday) I got to actually see the centre and meet with the volunteers and talk about their needs. Unfortunately Public Administration is not a class they give to the kids, so guess I’ll try to help out with more practical stuffJ. With the weekend free, it finally became my first real complete relaxing weekend. Joined Thea’s Ericsson-party on Friday-night and ended up at Memo’s (one of the better clubs here, but still dodgy). Slept in on Saturday and went for some coffee’s and ice-cream at Kaldi’s (a copy of Starbucks) with Jens, Thea and Femi (a former AIESEC, who arrived earlier that week for a holiday-trip through Ethiopia). In the evening we off to test (again) some real Ethiopian Injerra at a real Ethiopian restaurant. There are three types: Bad ones, good ones for upper-class and expats and good ones for Ethiopians. We of-course went to the last type, where we were a true attraction for the other guests, being the only faranji (foreigners). The evening was closed at the Black Rose, a very good and relaxed lounge near our house. On Sunday Thea prepared a very nice lunch at her Hilton-apartment for the four of us, after we got to see Chelsea beat Arsenal. What better weekend, than spending time with great people, great food/drinks and no rush.

Some reflections:
It is a strange experience living in a country where the poverty is so visible, the expat-community (NGO, UN, corporate) so large and you feel in the middle. On the one hand you have your daily work and comfortable life and on the other hand you feel you want to contribute more directly as well. I’m happy I am slowly seeing more opportunities that might be good ways to spend some spare-time on some hands-on development work, next to the strategic work of preparing the conference. I think I’ve also found my way of dealing with the many beggars on the street, by taking them to a bakery or other shop and provide them with the supplies for a decent meal for their families. You can not do this continually as you most of the are in a car on your way to work or an appointment. But whenever I have the time it is starting to become my new habit and it is addictive. But this is just a small thing, that doe not really help them further in the long run. Therefore will continue with looking for some voluntary-work that suits me (no clue what, but will find something) and that helps break the cycle of poverty a bit (vocational and literacy education being the biggest step, but these are not my fields of expertise).

I will also try to share you some of Ethiopia’s great beauty and history in upcoming blogs. This country has all (accept a beach) to make it as a tourist-country. History that goes back thousands of years, medieval castles, Emperors that lasted until the 70’s, the only African country that has never been colonized and, for some most important, the place coffee originates from.