In Ethiopia

Addis Ababa... I knew it the second I stepped into the jetway, there's just that funny sulfur stinky smoky smell in the air, I really am here. Its been a week now and I'm coming out of the daze, and actually almost feeling like I never left! I can get myself around town, and say quite a bit to people, I didn't forget.

So nothing too notable about the flights or anything, although when I was standing in the visa line I was scared that Brian hadn't woken up and now I would have to figure something out at 4 in the morning, but sure enough he was there. My box made it fine and all, I stayed at HQ (sharing a room with someone) for the first two nights.

The first day Brian and I rode his motorcycle around town- very cool and fun, that is the way to go! Actually it wasn't really just for fun, he was driving it in the to shop as it is broken again. So we dropped it off and took taxis home. He said he hasn't taken any contract taxis, just the minibuses since he's been back, and I was feeling bad because the minibuses are so much more work, you know, have to catch one, change, catch another one, I am too lazy and I just get a contract taxi. But he's right, the price comparison is like a birr twenty compared to twenty birr! Way cheaper.

So then we left for the Sodere conference- the spiritual life conference they have every other year. The place was like a hotel "resort." (they did call it a resort) which was pretty cool location wise- pretty, with a big huge swimming pool. But the actual accomodations were sketchy- I guess average for Ethiopia. Cockroaches, whoa, I forgot about those. I roomed with Allison, that was cool- at first we decided to kill the cockroaches but then we just started ignoring them. I had to scan the bathroom before actually using the can- little to vulnerable to be sitting there and having one come along.

But anyways, everyone is great sports, nobody really says much about stuff like that. I just forget the difference.... pretty distinct....

They had this ginourmous swimming pool, and they filled it with water from a hot spring, so the first night we got there it was like a really hot spa- almost burned when you first got in. It felt good at night. Then over the next few days it slowly cooled- yesterday it felt just right for a afternoon swim in the sun. All the kids from SIM were out having a great time, plus the parents and the singles, too, it was really fun, you know, diving contests and stuff.

Somehow Brian talked me into swimming in the river, no kidding, this river (the Awash river) is supposed to have crocs in it. That was a little trippy. Actually I told him, it is the stuff in the river that you can't see that really scares me. Like leaches and schisto and all the weird river diseases. I think that is African Health Rule Number One: don't swim in the rivers!! We had a blast.

I got to know alot of cool people better, plus meeting a lot of new ones. It is good to be here and think about coming back- I prayed alot and I feel God leading me, not sure where or how, just yet.

So the plan- probably down to Langano early next week- at the moment Brian and I are planning on taking the bus, so a down country bus trip sounds great. Nancy sounds pretty burned out down there- she had to leave the conference right away to be back and be on call this weekend.

Tonight we are going to Ethiopian dinner with dancing, I guess, that will be fun. I haven't had good shiro yet, or some good "encolal be sigah"- eggs with meat- oh, gosh, sounds good.

The schedule has flowed so naturally, I think everything is going to fall into place. I keep praying God will work all the details out.

I can feel myself relaxing into the African me.... I don't care about dirty feet, or dusty hair, or clean hands, or makeup, or any of that..... Feels good. I think this is the real me.