All Volunteer Conference

All Peace Corps Volunteer Conference 

Lalibella & Howzen

Inside of a Howzen rock church 800 years before King Lalibella's rock churches

Rock Climbing (don't let go!)

Had to follow the priest up to the church

Deanna and I in Howzen

Had to rock climb up to this church

Howzen

A rock church outside of lalibella under a rock cliff

The Rock church of King Lalibella himself

                      Walking into one of the rock churches

Lalibella Church

Priests Praying

St. Jerges Church at Lalibella

Walking down into St. Jerges Church down inside of the rock

Inside of one of the rock churches in Lalibella

After All Volunteer Conference (AVC) I decided it was time to see a bit more of Ethiopia and so a fellow PCV and I took a trip to Lalibella. Ethiopians are deeply religious people and Lailbella is one of the most holiest places in the country.The town of Lalibella is named after King Gebre Meskal Lalibella reigning in the late 12th century and is famous for the monolithic rock-cut churches. There was a total of 13 rock churches built in clusters of 3-4 during the kings time. The craftmanship of the internal structures of these churches were amazing for the times. above are some pictures

Our final destination was a tiny village 3 hours north of Mekele called Howzen. It was said that Howzen was founded by a set of christian missionaries that came over during the reign of King Kaleb over 800 years before the time of King Laliballa. We went again to see a set of rock churches in the area. These rock churches are a bit different instead of the churches being separated from the rock entirely expect for the floor, like in Lalibella. These churches were built on cliff sides of rock mountains. So they entail a hike and a rock climbing portion till you finally reach the entrance to the church.  Then there is a hole you climb into to actually see inside the church. Also attached are some pictures. There are typically well preserved paintings on the sides of the walls and along the arches and are pretty amazing. 

10 Bad Habits I’ve acquired while in Ethiopia

 1.  I am constantly dreaming about food usually American but anything I can readily get back in the states.

2.  I will almost always forget to flush the toilet as there really aren’t any here, it’s an oddity.

3.  My bed time is 9:15 pm sharp and will forever stay that way.

4.  It’s ok to talk about any stomach ailment and tell any poop story when at the dinner table.

5.  The ground/floor is my new garbage can.

6.  Nap time is from 1:00 pm-1:45 pm daily as I do not need 2 hours to eat lunch.

7.   It’s ok to stay home and do work.

8.  I never wear seat belts (they don’t exist on any bus).

9.  It’s ok to stand under a metal tin roof in the middle of rainy season when there is lightning and thunder present.

10.  Dirt & Bugs are still awesome!

"Life is tough wear a helmet"

Sham

Returning to the World of Technology

Well I know it’s been a while since I’ve sent out a letter or email. I apologize for that, for about 2 ½ months I didn’t have a computer so communication was a bit rough even with my parents. My parents so graciously did some work back in the states and was able to get me a new computer, which will more than likely last me through the rest of my service. Thankfully!!!

I am pleased to announce that I have officially been in Ethiopia for one year now. May 25th is my one year mark in country. Unfortunately my actual service didn’t start until the first of August so that’s technically my one year mark of “service” here in Ethiopia. But it is kind of exciting to say I’ve lived in a developing nation for one year now. “Very Cool!”

Living in a new country and a new culture for one year, has really opened my eyes to experiences that I would have never fathomed in American. Let’s just say I have a greater appreciation now for my education and especially for my higher education. While education is almost a must in America whether it is a technical education or your basic higher education it really does make a difference in our country. Also, our awareness as a culture to the differences in people and how others live is an even greater piece of education we sometimes inadvertently learn about in our schools. There have been some wonderful times here; experiencing holidays, a two hour lunch break really is not a bad thing, and walking everywhere can quickly wear out a pair of shoes.

As always there are daily challenges that occur and patience is tested; just being aware of the fact that the construction worker or even the secondary student may be unaware that yelling “honey” at me is offensive and taking the time to explain to them that you are insulting me can be a learning experience, walking into that 4 year olds house and telling him and his parents that yelling “Ferengi” at me is very rude and taking the time to sit and have tea with a group of high school students explaining to them about American culture can sometimes test my language patience.   It all really can be a challenge and wonderful experience at the same time.

Just recently I learned I could possibly be getting a new Education Peace Corps Volunteer in my site. At first I was a little hesitant about this however; I am at a point in my service where I would really enjoy the company of another. In addition, my town could really use an English Education volunteer here… while the high school students should have started learning English at the primary level they are still having issues with simple sayings like, “How are you?” and “Where are you going?”, This of course is the result of lack of English awareness from the teachers. So I hope between the two of us “native” English speakers we can help correct a bit of improperly taught English sayings.

In terms of work, I’ve been working on an AIDS Resource and Youth Center. Mostly I’ve just been working on a proposal to get some money from Peace Corps. While I’m sure you think…”really sham” you’ve been working on this thing for like 2 months now, things here run at a much slower pace than back in America. Just catching people in their offices can sometimes be a tedious task, and no there are no secretaries here and setting up a next time to meet with people just doesn’t work. I’m almost finished with the proposal ahead of schedule for me… “Which is Awesome!” I won’t know until about the end of June if I will get funding but at least I made an effort. It sounds convincing to me, so I’m hoping to get some money.

The county ITC guy just opened a little shop and he installed internet in it. I am so grateful for that fact that I can as long as there is power in my town I can take my computer over to his shop and hard wire into his internet. I try to a couple times a week check my e-mail and facebook. Not that long ago in America internet access was hard to come by in work and home settings but I was definitely raised with internet and as were many of the people I grew up with. We really are the information age generation and I really do miss having internet at my fingertips. But it has gotten better which I am so grateful for in my site. THANK YOU ITC MAN!

Other than that, daily living is always an experience and walking outside of my compound can sometimes be emotionally taxing, but I know I am here for the purpose of making the towns people a little more aware of the American culture and showing them that how you act and present yourself means a whole lot to a foreigner. If I don’t complete anything in my time of service here in Ethiopia I can officially say I have done that.

As always I hope everyone is happy and healthy back home. Would love to hear back from some of you, so keep in touch! :)

"Life is tough wear a helmet"

Sham

As I was reading this email I was wondering if you were talking about you.  I hope not!  You have always been too clean.  I know you took a lot of deodorant so hopefully you are using it

Love you Mom

You know your dirty when:

1. When your compound owners have to call Peace Corps Ethiopia on you.

2. When the Peace Corps Volunteer sitting next to you has to move down a chair

3. When your in a mini bus and realise that smell is not the person next to you

4. When your in the shower and the water that collects at the bottom of your feet is brown

5. When you have to do the spit test to determine if you need to shower

    (that is where you lick your finger and rub your arm)

6. When the tan that you once had was only dirt/dust that collects on your body through out the week.

7. When you have to check the brown dust that collects on your elbow wrinkles and determine if its dark enough.

8. When your sitting in an American airport and can smell everyone else's clean clothes and realise you smell like dirt

9. When you can smell yourself

10 signs that prove you’re on Ethiopian Transportation…

To: People Back Home,
10 signs that prove you’re on Ethiopian Transportation…
1.         You are sitting 3 people to… 2 seats
2.         All windows are closed on the bus…for fear of Tuberculosis
3.         The lady that’s sitting next to you has butter in her hair (Yes, they do this and it smells awful)
4.         Your bus driver is taking a blind curve, wide.
5.         Only the thump, thump beat of Tigrinya music can be heard through blown out speakers.
6.         The bus driver only slows down for all cattle, donkeys and sheep…Humans don’t count!
7.         The bus boy promptly doubles the price because your white. Luckily you know what the real price is so you hand him the exact amount and claim you have no more money as you show him the insides of your pockets.
8.         There is a goat on top of the mini bus and a lamb at your feet.
9.         The person next to you is throwing up because of motion sickness.
10.       A full mini bus to any bus driver consists of no less than 20-25 people when it only actually seats 12 …
            True Statement!  
--
Sham
"Life is tough wear a helmet"

Work, School and the Little Pleasures in Life that I Miss!

Well doing well here in Ethiopia. Starting to get busy with work, as mom has probably told you I am going to try and start an internet café in my town. The people badly need it.

Taught my first English Lesson to my co-workers the other day. It was funny to see their faces light up when I explained to them that the saying “How do you see Adigudom?” is not a proper question and that the correct answer to that question is “I see Adigudom with my eyes.”  This is a question that all foreigners get asked and is taught incorrectly in the schools. While we all know what this means it still is not very proper English. So we discussed How is Adigudom? And what are your likes and dislikes about the town? Also went into the prepatory school in my town (which is grades 11-12 public education) not required by the government and also you must take a test and pass it to even continue on to grades 11-12. Just so you know most individuals do not pass these tests and only make it to grade 10. A teacher had stopped me on the street and had asked that I come and do a question and answer session with his students. It was kind of fun to field American cultural questions. Questions ranged from politics, to education, to marriage, to trying to compare and contrast Ethiopia to America. Which by the way is not possible because they are so vastly different.

Got started re-vamping the patient data collections on the computers in the Health Center.

 I started with the A’s and there were so many mistakes with spelling it was unbelievable. Its hard because from my understanding spelling in Tigrinia doesn’t count as long as someone can decipher it, its spelled correctly and then your trying to translate it from Tigrina to English. So I’m trying at least standardize the most common names. This is rather important because Habasha names are all so similar its amazing.  Its going to take me about a year to get through the whole system with the people who work in that office, mainly cause I can really only work on it for about 2 days a week and I never know if these people are even going to be at work and then you have to consider the 2 hour lunch breaks everyday and the 2 coffee breaks at 10 and 4 each day. OMG! The joys of working in this country. 

So I think the reason I loved that box so much was the fact that I hadn’t received one in a while and I was missing some stuff from home.  I really appreciate the spices as well. Those are all things I can not find here in country. I loved the T-shirt Tom and Jerry is awesome.  Pistatos are my favorite so who ever threw those in the box did a good job. I also really appreciated the sticky tack to hang stuff on my walls. My walls are made out of cement and hammering a nail into them is rather funny to watch sham try and do.  I have recently discovered I can buy roasted peanuts on the streets of my town and they are amazing. I don’t know if it’s the bags O’Peanut in America but a freshly roasted peanut tastes wonderful.

A few things I could use in the next box you send:

I had a little accident with my ear phones to my i-pod so can someone pack me some ear phones. I prefer the ones I stick all the way into my ears (I think their called ear buds) I also don’t like the foam ear

buds I like the rubber ones. These are typically going to run you about 30-35 dollars.

Tea (You can send me most of the stuff I left in my room if its still there)…I love green teas!   I can get black teas here but nothing else and have really been missing the green and white teas.

Butter…I know weird, but if I tried to explain you wouldn’t understand. Mary’s mom sent her butter sticks in like a glad wear container and it came fine no mishaps. Maybe wrap it in a ziplock bag to if your going to put my ear phones in that box too.

More fun sized chocolate (mary requests coconut m&ms)

Smore materials (ie, marshmellows, hershy chocolate bars, and gram crackers) buy a bunch when it goes on sale (Maybe you can talk the grandmas into helping you with sending/buying me these items) Sometime in May or June I’m going to have you send me a whole box of just smore materials

More Ziplock bags (quart and gallon sized)

Velveeta cheese (as always, a couple boxes of just the cheese sauce would be awesome)

Slivered almonds

Granola

Oatmeal (old fashioned oats)

Trail mixes (try the bulk section at WINCO)

Vitamins (If they are not coming in other shoe box)

Cheeze its or Gold Fishies (there is not a lot of crunch here in my diet and I do miss it)

*Mom no more rock pops or chewy sour lizards

Another big bottle of hand sanitizer

--

Sham

"Life is tough wear a helmet"

2012 New year

Thought I would shoot out a quick update on my life.

Brought in the 2012 New Year in a town called Alamata with 4 other PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers) eating Oreos and playing Texas Holdem. Really couldn’t have asked for anything better… Except got my phone stolen in the market area. 3 hours later, 2 police stations and one government l office later I got my police report. I did however neglect to tell you the police report was on a half ripped sheet of paper it was in Amharic the national language, it did however have a stamp and signature on it, which in Ethiopia is a legitimate document. Got sick on the bus ride back to my town. I was about 4 hours south of Adugudom and I have to go through some killer switch backs…Not a fun ride. Made it back to site just in time to have a bacterial infection (diarrhea) which I quickly got on some meds that did cure up the problem before I had to travel into Mekele to fly out to Addis for IST (Inservice Training).

I did spend a couple wonderful nights in Mekele with 3 of my most favorite Tigray people. It was nice to not have any set plans in Mekele. Met up with a couple VSO in the town and had something called a fruit punch which is similar to a fruit salad except at the base of the fruit salad is an avocado smoothy thing and on top is grenadine. It’s a wonderful concoction that I will truly miss when I have to go back to the states. 

After much debate in the Mekele bus station as to how much we were going to pay to put bags on top of the bus I made it to Mekele Airport and on my way to Addis. Due to the fact that I flew into Addis I was one of the first to arrive and it was fun seeing everyone as they arrived at Kings Hotel.  Another day later I ended up getting diarrhea again… This time it did not hit me like the other 2 times, so I’ve been in denial for the last week or so saying it’s just a diet issue. Because reality is that I am not cooking my own food and I’m also eating food that is not usually in my diet back at site.  Just recently got tested and am still waiting on results. Hope I can start taking some medication soon.

Overall IST has been rather enlightening and also a big boost in the motivation department. I’m ready to get back to site and start on some project proposal writing. I have also decided that I’m ready to change the organization I’ve been working with to another. I think this will really help me get stuff accomplished during my two years of service.  Started language tutoring a couple weeks before I left for Addis and am ready to get back to studying Tigrinya the language I learned for my area. It really has been helpful!

Anyway hope all is well with everyone. I also hope that you all get a little more snow while it’s still winter as I heard that the mountain just recently opened for skiers.

--

Sham

"Life is tough wear a helmet

My Life in Ethiopia

First of all, I’m sorry it has been a while since I’ve sent out an update.  I have been busy not only in my town of Adigudom but also doing some traveling.  Mostly to neighboring towns but I took a trip down to Addis to see off a good friend I met here in the Peace Corps. The Addis trip was bitter sweet as it was sad to say good-bye but also wonderful at the same time because Addis is the closest thing I can get to real Ferengi life.

I’m really starting to enjoy life here in Ethiopia, I can say this is probably one of the first times I can officially say Ethiopia is my new home and life, may it be simple, is also very enjoyable. I’m becoming very accustomed to the traditions and beliefs.  It has been important for me to make the decision everyday to have a good day and I believe this has really helped me with life here. If you sit and dwell on the little things that can make life miserable living here as a white person it can be very difficult. That’s not to say that I don’t have rough days but I’m finding those little thoughts help.

As always traveling anywhere here can be stressful, difficult and there is always waiting involved. Thank you to my parents who sent me a travel (light) sleeping bag and small blow up air mattress as I have used it a couple of times and it has been wonderful.   I have a suggestion for anyone traveling invest in a light weight sleeping bag and (travel) blow up air mattress as they can really be a life saver.  I’m excited to continue to use these two items in my travels around Ethiopia.

A situation that occurred that made me say… “This would only happen in Ethiopia!” Was sitting at a hotel/Restaurant in Mekele enjoying a pretty decent Ferengi  meal, there was 5 of us and we were sitting outside. (Oh! And this Hotel/Restaurant caters specifically to Ferengi people traveling through or doing research in Tigray).  As we were eating we kept feeling splashes of water coming down on us. At first my thought was, oh it’s just one of those freak rain showers that have occurred this last month. Finally, someone looks up and sees its mop water that is being swished around on the balconies above. For all we know it could have been toilet water that over flowed in a bathroom above. The guard at the front door starts yelling up to the lady mopping up above and we see her peak over the balcony and she did profusely apologize.  Let’s just say this would not happen in America and if it did it would be a freak accident.

I went to Wukro for Thanksgiving.  It is a town about 2 hours north of me and of course 2 bus rides. Thanksgiving was absolutely enjoyable as there were only 6 of us and Bailey did a great job at planning and pre planning the meal. We had meat loaf, fried chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, apple pie, pumpkin pie, green beans, and salad. And of course good company… Overall I would call it a successful first Thanksgiving in Ethiopia. And as always it’s just nice to be with other Ferengi . Not sure what the plan is going to be for Christmas but I’m not worried I will find someone to celebrate it with.  I know that the new group 6 of Peace Corps Volunteers that came into country 3 months ago will just have gotten to their sites so maybe Group 5 Peace Corps Volunteers in Tigray will have to host the new Group 6 volunteers that just arrived. We will see!

You know your standards have changed when:

1.      You actually take comfort each night as you drift off to sleep and hear the distinct sound of rats eating your house

2.      Poop becomes a normal topic of conversation between pretty much everyone

3.      You don’t get bored anymore – Boredom is no longer a word in your vocabulary

4.      Your happy to get a solid fart

5.      Those snot-ridden children ignite loving instincts

6.      You consider bugs in your water bucket to be extra protein

7.      You think you can clean anything by sprinkling a little water on it

8.      You enjoy listening to Celine Dion and Michael Bolton because it’s a break from traditional regional music.

9.      You think radio static creates nice ambiance as you can never get a clear channel and all speakers are blown out here.

10.     And as always Dirt and Bugs are still awesome

I will try and be better about writing, hope everything is going well in the states and back home.

I am safe and healthy .

Sham

"Life is tough wear a helmet"

CHEESE!!!

The Goat in my Compound

My House NOW!!

Hike 2

Ashenda 2

Ashenda 1

Ashenda, A little Girl Dancing! She is so cute!!

Run Down of My Life

Cows in the Kitchen

Compound Cows