Size and Length
Trip Start
Oct 06, 2007
1
39
62
Trip End
Ongoing
Debre Markos,
Ethiopia
Sunday, March 2, 2008
(Fittingly, this was said to me by a man whose name in Amharic means, "Liar." I hope he's right, though. At an optimistic 5'5", I wouldn't mind to pick up a little more "length".)
Comments
You don't know me
Hi, Christen. You don't know me--I stumbled upon your blog doing some web research, but as a former PCV in Ethiopia ('98-'99--the last group, evacuated) I couldn't help reading through some of your entries. I must say from the outset how amazing it must be to have fairly regular internet access! When we were there, the only places to use a credit card were the Hilton and the Sheraton and internet cafes were nonexistent. We waited weeks and weeks for letters to go and come. So, consider yourself lucky. :)
Your posts bring back such a wealth of wonderful memories (even of the frustrations). In response to this post in particular, I can make 2 comments. In training (we were in Ambo, north of Addis, then my site was Wonago, very south, south of Dilla) I lost about 10-12 pounds, but after being at my site for a month or so, I gained that weight back, and then some (shiro is fattening!! but oooh so good) although I would hardly have called myself 'fat' by American standards. One day I went to school (I was an English teacher), and one of my colleagues, Haile Gabriel, grabbed my hand with both of his and exclaimed (in that marvelous demonstrative Ethiopian way) 'Oh Hezza, we are SO happy!!!' 'Why,' I asked. 'Because, you are fat, and we are glad!!!!' 'When you came here, you were too thin, but now you are fat and we are happy!' Well, you can imagine how this compliment, given so lovingly, went over with me! I went back to my house which I shared with a young Ethiopian teacher (who is still, over 10 years later, a dear dear friend). I asked her, 'Aberash, am I fat?' 'Oh yes,' she said, 'finally you are very fat!!!' Wow.
Second short story: another volunteer, a woman named Marla from Georgia, was one day introduced by her Ethiopian friend to another Ethiopian new to her town. He said, 'And this is Marla, she is long and fat!' From that moment on,Marla with her deep southern drawl, would introduce herself as 'long and fat Marla.'
Pardon my long comment. As I said, I couldn't resist. Hang in there. The joy and insights in your posts confirms to this reader that you are definitely getting it. Soak it up.
Amasaganalo,
Hezza, or Leazza, or teacher! or Anchee! or fereng!
(aka Heather)
Re: You don't know me
Hi, Heather! Thanks for writing (and reading)! It's great to hear from a former PC-Ethiopia volunteer. Thanks for the encouragement.
Take care! Write any time!
Christen Smith