Language Barriers

I've always thought I was bad at learning languages. I took Spanish classes for years to little effect. But maybe I should really be blaming Brent Lassow. I actually feel like I've done OK with Amharic and Swahili (and Amharic doesn't even use the Roman alphabet!)

I am pretty good at memorizing stuff, and despite what various Latinos might tell you, I'm not horrible with accents. I think the key to it all is really low expectations (the key to many of my successes). With both languages native speakers are so amazed that a white person is even trying to speak their language that it is met with appreciation. Plus, who knew Swahili was already inbedded in American culture (The Lion King), who knew Asante Samuel's mother was really thankful to someone named Sam..

Furthermore, I don't have to understand much of what they say (one of my biggest problems in Espanol) I just communicate with greetings and key words and try to pick up slang and popular expressions and people are usually impressed, in fact the positive feedback is probably one the reasons I make the effort (I hope all the condescending Spanish speakers are listening right now [you know who you are]).

I'm sure I will never be able to converse about politics or religion in either language, but even with my limited vocab I feel somewhat successful, and that is a pleasant surprise.

Northern Ethio

Here are some pictures from the North of Ethiopia (My dad has more, I will link to them). If there is such thing as a tourist circuit in Ethiopia this is it, pretty amazing sites, still not very many white people:

Northern Ethiopia

Lalibela was amazing, the pictures don't do it justice. Churches carved out of the bedrock 800 years ago, intricate on the inside as on the out. Gonder had some nice castles, etc. The Simien Mountains were great, highly recommended. Felt like Jane Goodall sitting amongst the primates except at 12,000 ft (thinking of going to Gombe Stream NP in Tanzania to visit the famous chimps as well at some point).

Ethiopia is up there on the my list, the food is delicious and despite all the amazing things there, it is still pretty much off the traveler radar.. Go Now, they need the tourist dollars.

I am behind on the blog and headed toward the coast, so far so good.

EthioPhotos

updated

In Tanzania now... but here are some photos up to my last days in Addis..

Have been away from the internet in Northern Ethiopia and safariing in Tanzania, but will get back up to date.

Ethio (Around Addis part 2)

Tanganika

(Disclaimer, I've actually been here for a few weeks, but haven't really had the chance to get acclimated to the country. I've been on Safari, living well and looking at animals out in the bush. Now I am back to Africa, for real. I'm going up Kilimanjaro tomorrow, but this is what I got so far)

First Impressions of Tanzania:

More cows than Ethiopia. (Ethiopia had more sheep and goats)

Not that much English. Of course I didn't do much research before I came, (I have a hard time reading guidebooks before I actually get to the place), but for some reason I thought English would be widely spoken. Not so much.

Sticker kits on the minibuses (called dalla dallas here)! The decals on the vantaxis are on a whole nother level. Full 10 piece kits with matching InshallAllah decals, rappers (Jay Z, Tupac, 50 Cent, Obama(see picture), Hakuna Matada, etc. Ethiopia's had some stickers, the most popular ones were Manchester United and Arsenal, but they have nothing on these. Now I can finally ride in the style that I am accustomed.

Indian food! Evidently there is a sizeable Indian population which is needless to say is awesome on the culinary front. Three out of the four dinners I've eaten here have been representing the subcontinent.

Not very mountainous (at least compared to Ethio), you'd think because Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa it would be pretty hilly (or at least I would think this), but it is really pretty flat except for a couple other scattered volcanoes.. which leads to my next observation.

Bicycles! I think because it is flat they are a great way to get around (I have not had the chance to do any riding myself yet), or maybe people in Ethiopia are just too poor or they would have bikes too. We even visited a bike-not-bombs recipient here which was great.

Driving on the left side of the road. For some reason cars on the right side of the road is permanently inscribed in my unconscious. Everytime I see people on the left it doesn't seem right. I try to just look both ways whenever I cross a street, because I inevitably look to the left first. Thankfully no life flashing before my eyes moments just yet.

more animals. (more on that later)

Maasai ('')

Animals I've Seen in Ethiopia

Here is a list (in no particular order) of animals I've seen in Ethiopia:

vervet monkeys
Geldas (baboons?) (endemic)
hippos
oryx
klipspringers
Walia Ibex (endemic)
warthogs
jackal
dik diks
crocodiles
hamadryas baboons
birds
domestic animals (horses, cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, mules, cats,
dogs, cows, camels, etc)
a lion in a cage doesn't count (will have to wait for Tanzania)

Just finished a whirlwind trip through Northern Ethiopia, and we are
back in Addis for one night only. Got in a fight with a taxi driver
today, good to be back in Addis, seriously.

Tanzania tomorrow.