Ethiopia

March 2007

When I first mentioned to people that I was going to Ethiopia the standard response was "Why would you want to go there, there's nothing to do there, it's just filled with poor people, isn't it dangerous?"

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When you speak of Ethiopia to many westerners their initial reaction is that it is a war-torn, famine ridden place and that the people are dangerous- hahaha! What a joke! It's only because of a lack of understanding, people watch the news and the only things they hear are the horror stories, but the reality could not be more different; the people here are loving and peaceful, much more so than in the west. What the people here lack in terms of material wealth, they make up for in values and self-respect. The developing world could teach the west a lot about values.

Of all the places I've been to so far it seems crazy to say that Ethiopia is the place I feel the least bit as an outsider. Everyone is so welcoming. People here are genuinely kind. I love that everyone smiles at you and says hello and the children just come up to me and give me kisses! Everyone wants their photo taken, it's a photographer's paradise, everyone wants to be remembered, and everyone wants to keep in touch.

I've met so many wonderful people and have made so many wonderful memories. I will never forget this place. This was exactly what I wanted to experience in Africa. I just love waking up to all the sounds of chickens, goats and cows and I love hearing the laughter of all the children singing. Here people live by the heart and it is such a wonderful way to be. We must learn to open ourselves up and let others in so that we can see the world through the eyes of understanding.