Goodbye Addis and ICS

Two years and out. Admin. co-workers, friends asked why we left Ethiopia after two years to return back to Alexandria, Egypt. We've had some time to reflect on this question. The most fitting response we could muster was, "Ethiopia wasn't a fit." It wasn't any single event, it was a collection of little things that added up.

For us, Egypt was full of life, movement, and distractions while Ethiopia was like being confined to a monastery. Everything we've said about the people, food, and landscape while living there is true, it was mostly positive. Our students were great, we liked our bosses and co-workers were fun to be around...in the end we were glad the school didn't make much of an effort to retain us. Had our school thrown a carrot our direction it would have been harder to leave. (We requested to move closer to school so Ana could nurse-per school policy no special provisions are made to teachers and to the school's credit they stuck to their word.)

When Ana left to give birth back in the States, the void was exaggerated in an already lonely landscape. If it wasn't for the task of writing a book, I probably would have knocked on my neighbors doors often and medicated myself more than I already did. In short, isolation isn't conducive to a happy life.

Reflecting back on some of the last photos I took below reminds me how compelling the last couple months of isolation can eclipse an overall experience.

My favorite signs in Addis. I think the animal might be a cat or a mutation of one.  The animal has the option of using a paint brush on his right, but decided dumping a bucket of paint would better suit the task. Vandal-like tendencies. 

Kristin, the neighbor upstairs. She was devoted to Cheetos and eating on the floor. No exaggeration.  

More paint store art. Three colors in one can an Ethiopian exclusive.

Nathan was my brewing buddy.  

I made a series of phony "lost" animal flyers. My favorite one was of the lost hyena-a family pet. I taped a couple around town. I also posted one of a lost snake in our building's elevator that caused the building's management to create their own stating not to post posters.  

One of my co-workers thought it would be fun make a response. He made my day. 

Rob had scotch tastings on Wednesday nights. He also provoked people at parties with politics. I'm  sure people thought he was rude, but that's why I liked him. 

Tash spoke whatever they do in New Zealand and made everything sound dirty. I had her name in my phone as "Crotch Rash"  

Two fisted Nik let me beat him at chess. 

Erik, also had a way to weed people out. He could be very off-putting to other adults. I also liked him a lot. 

If you're single (or married) be ready to mingle when Ryan is around. Kudos to Ry for marrying a local (Habesha-not pictured) in record time. Who is pictured next to Ryan is the fabulous Downtown Jackie Brown who will whip you silly with her tongue. Stay out of her way and she won't bite.   

Mooch Goat. Don't leave your food unattended. 

Solomon was my local buddy from the commissary who told me wild Ethiopian stories.  

I had a vision of putting drawings all over the house. Then I thought i should be more responsible than that. This one has several quotes from the movie Apocalypse Now. 

After packing out. Screams Soviet era Eastern Bloc minimalism. 

Fuck yeah, we were.

Lake Langano Ethiopia

K8+8 thought our school year should end with one last big adventure. She picked a weekend at Lake Langano with Downtown Jackie Brown, Team Sara/Esme, Mooch Goat (bailed last minute due to illness), and I as the appropriate trip. 

We booked out of our classrooms within minutes of the dismissal bell. The next 3.5 hours were spent dodging live stock, humans, Sino Trucks-What some Ethiopian's call Al Queda, buses, potholes, and donkey carts. We arrived just in time to see stars, listen to the lake slap the shore, and hear wild dogs off in the distance. 

Ethiopia is a birdwatcher's paradise. Well, I didn't intend to look for birds, I walked around with a point-and-shoot camera and snapped what I saw.

Blood oranges? 

Cactus were flowering. 

Livestock outside out campground. 

It is common to see goats climb trees for food...or much on cactus. 

Random grave site.

The shore.

Everyone likes a eagle.

The blooming cacti were abundant. 

Nature's version of swimming pool noodles 

It is the begging of the rainy season and some trees are in bloom. 

Bird nests.

Crazy looking duck.

K8+8 likes to row in the water so we went on a little adventure checking out other villages and camp sites along the lake.

It appears most birds like the orange tree. 

We didn't quite rough it, there was a fully functional kitchen. Most of the people that use the facility are related to the Embassy and I can't see many of them roughing it.  

Downtown Jackie Brown looking for animals.

The images below are from a previous Langano visit.

A short return to Egypt

First off, Ana gave birth to Taquita (little taco) in April and thus the Camels and Tacos family has grown by one. I retuned back to the states to see it all unfold and spent a short week with mama and the baby. 

I'm biding my time during my last remaining month solo in Ethiopia. Traveling to Egypt twice to take care of paperwork and all the shenanigans that involve moving back to Alexandria has provided some relief to be among old friends in a familiar settings. Don't worry Camels and Tacos fans and haters, Alexandria is still safer than back home unless you're crossing the street or driving. 

I didn't snap many photos this time out, but here are a few from walking around town. 

Our newest family member, Ximena. She is just a couple of days old here is alert and already demanding milk. 

The Al Alterine antique district is best done at night as most shops were closed in the morning. I am curious about the door on the top floor. 

Translation please.

Some cool Alex street art. 

The corniche near Maadi in Cairo hosts many family friendly places.

One of the best parts of living in Alex is the proximity to the beach in Agamy. Jeff, Liz, the elusive and often late-pour your drink into the plant Amr (not pictured) and I caught some rays and got my feet wet.  

The best time for Agamy is now, during the summer it is off the hook. The steakhouse Waghi on the main strip is still one of the best meals in Egypt.  

My new buddy Scott and I needed to go on a bike ride. We rented a pair with frames covered in plastic, broken breaks, and short seats in Mamourah.  

We rode through scenic Montazah Palace.   

The streets of the Miami neighborhood still prove to be fertile grounds for endless photographic opportunities. Get your Colonel Gaddafi spinning heart decoration or One Direction coffee mug on.

Our friend Madame Loba was kind enough to translate the text on the chest: Warning: to avoid embarrassment parties costumes and sleeping gowns are not to be exchanged or refunded. So the question is: Which one is for the bed and which one if for the party? I wanted to inquire about the missing hand, but the typical response would have been, "No hand, finished." 

The Liquor store in Miami sports nicely decorated taxidermy and other hanging bric-a-brac. They sell famous brand name bottles such as Jane's Water Red Lion or Whatie Horse, those of course are not to be confused with other famous Egyptian brands such as Johnny Walder. I know, makes your tongue sweat just thinking about it.  

Why not use an images of a man kissing a lion to sell honey. The rows of fresh garlic suspended above the entrance adds a touch of class.  

A view of the neighborhood from our old apartment. 

Checking out the sights on the way to the Bakoos neighborhood.  

Glad to see this car hasn't moved since the revolution... 

...and a new arrival on the scene.    

Truth be told, we wanted to came back to Alex. The school, people, foods, the sea, the quirks, the insanity, noise...all of it is somehow lovable.