11/13/2017

Salaam no?! Today I woke up early to go with Behailu to HCS (The Catholic Charity that Behailu, Netsi and Abba Worku work for.) I surprised a handful of people that I’d met last time I visited! They didn’t expect me to ever return! 

After this Netsi and I went for breakfast and then I presented the two projects to Abba Worku. The first project is a story time party with the orphans in the Catholic Church here in Dire Dawa. After reading a few children’s books I am donating 60 books to them. I am also donating a projector so that they can have movie nights with the girls. 

The second project is with an organization called Days for Girls. I completed their program so I can train and teach girls about women’s hygiene and menstruation leaving them with a packet that has reusable menstrual pads. Also teaching them how to sew the pads themselves so that when I leave they will have the knowledge to pass this on and continue the program.

Netsi Took me to the market so I could get some local clothes made to wear while I am here as well. 

At lunch I went with Netsi to meet her husband Nebil and daughter Elehana.  Back To HCS and before I came home to Behailu’s house for dinner I stopped by the Catholic Orphanage to introduce myself to the new abbas in the compound and meet some of the girls.

Now I am drinking a beer as I write this and getting read to check out for the evening.

11/12/2017

I got to the airport this morning very early to catch my flight to Dire Dawa. I have a hip replacement and it kept setting off the alarms in the airport security. It held me up a bit but I managed to catch my flight in time. Flying it only took an hour to get to my destination where Behailu was waiting to pick me up.

We took a taxi to his place and his wife Mahlet made me some breakfast of Dabufo (traditional bread) and Inqulal Fir-Fir (Eggs with onion and tomato eaten with French bread.)

I met all the neighbors with kisses and hugs. One of the older ladies came back out of her room with photos to of her younger days  when she visited Germany . “She is not German they told her she is from America!” LOL

 The elder women came inside to visit. The eldest of them smothered me in kisses and hugs and even a cry of ululation! (a cultural expression of happiness.)

Then it was decided we would have a traditional coffee ceremony with popcorn and incense burning (Frankincense.) A fragrant herb I’ve never seen before was given to me to stir in my coffee.  It is called Tena’adam which when I googled it is said to have magical powers. I don’t know what these magical powers are however, and I have yet to experience anything magical just yet. 

Lunch and dinner was beer and  Doro Wot (a Chicken stew made of an onion base, chicken, and hard boiled eggs eaten with injara.) Today was mostly calling to let everyone know I arrived safe, resting and visiting with Bahailu’s family. 

It’s very hot in Dire Dawa and there is no air conditioning. Have to watch out for bimbi (mosquitos!) later in the evening Mahlet made us some traditional tea with more Tena’adam.

I’m taking a melatonin to help me sleep tonight!