Ethiopian Highlights

There's an ugly rumor circulating that while I was in Ethiopia, I aged another year. That would be entirely untrue. In fact, I became eight years younger. I celebrated my birthday in Ethiopia and I intend to stay on their calendar. As far as I know, Ethiopia is the only nation in the world that still uses the Julian calendar, which means they are celebrating the millennial year of 2000. Ethiopia also uses a biblical clock, meaning that 6:00 a.m. is the beginning of the day, noon is the 6th hour, 3:00 pm is the 9th hour and so on.

We celebrated my new and improved birthday by eating at the Addis Sheraton. I had read this was a world-class hotel, but I didn't think it would actually be so sumptuous. It could grace any city in the world and still be luxurious. I was stunned when we arrived and toured the premises. I couldn't imagine staying there, though--coming and going through the considerable poverty to reach the guarded gates of the hotel. It was surreal to encounter it, though we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and were glad to be there.
 
That meal wasn't the only culinary highlight of our visit, however. On our last day in Addis, two of the guys from our church there took some of us out for coffee and an evening at the Ethiopian Cultural Center. We ate traditional Ethiopian food, watched an Ethiopian band and dancers, and then enjoyed an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, complete with incense. Solomon and Yared were our amiable hosts, explaining the customs and laughing graciously at our mistakes.

Though I don't miss the pungent scent of the incense, I do miss the smooth taste of Ethiopian coffee. It definitely was one of my highlights! Fortunately, whenever I crave Ethiopian food or coffee, I do not have to go far. I've been told the Washington, D.C. area contains the largest concentration of Ethiopian people outside of Ethiopia. Injera, anyone?


(Photos: The video crew--me, Drew, John David, David, and Andrew--gather for dinner; the Addis Sheraton; a coffee ceremony; Solomon and Yared.)

Comments

[Dustin Greenup]

Wow! Thank you for the great commentary. Hearing your description and seeing pictures of Ethiopia brings back a lot of memories from last summer when my wife and I were there adopting our son. I got to meet and spend a little time with the Sovereign Grace guys...I wished I would have had more time to spend with them. They are in our prayers and if we get to go back...I'll be sure to spend some more time with them hopefully. Thank you for the great commentary and pictures. It is a very needy area for the for true Gospel churches and we are very thankful for God's grace in bringing you all there! Hope you liked all of the traditional foods!

[claire]

lets plan an ethiopian food outing in DC when u get back! its always a fun dinner...

[Maritza]

Ethiopian food is even closer than DC. There's a place right in Gaithersburg owned by Ethiopians. It's hidden near the Kinko's off of 355/N. Frederick Avenue. They have Ethiopian coffee, tea, food and other things. Went there with some friends before they headed off to the cherry blossoms this year--fun times. Let me know if you ever end up checking it out (although I bet you have).
-Maritza