Ethiopia was an amazing experience. Since the internet was so slow I couldn't write directly in my blog while abroad. Instead I've copied e-mails and entries from my journal to add some stories and text here. You can view Pam and my photos by clicking on my favorite photo of the girl below and/or view the few I added directly to my blog.

200712_Ethiopia

One of our best days of training was a half day on Saturday trouble shooting with the advanced GIS users. If interested, here is our work-related trip report.

Later in the day we went to one of our trainees houses for a true Ethiopian coffee ceremony, good food and conversation.

From 200712_Ethiopia

Bizuye pours delicious Ethiopian coffee during the coffee ceremony. First she washed and roasted the beans in front of us. The most important part was smelling the finished roasted beans. Then 3 rounds of strong coffee. They really take their coffee seriously.

A special beer tour from Germany and Ethiopia and our welcome home shots in traditional Ethiopian garb. The outfits were a present from our students. Cheers Pam!

From 200712_Ethiopia

The training ended very nicely. We're starting our journey back this afternoon (Saturday). A little shopping and packing yet to be done this morning. Think good thoughts for Pam and I as we head home.

It's a roller-coaster ride here in Bahir Dar. One day/hour all we can think about is heading home to all the comforts in the states and the next we feel so blessed and happy to be in such a wonderful place.

From 200712_Ethiopia

Tonight we ate dinner at one of our student's houses. It was one of the best meals we've had here with injera (traditional flat bread made of teff), great vegetables, lentils, and a special sauce called shiro. The people are incredibly nice here. We of course stick out like soar thumbs as 2 tall white women. We've been hassled some (less than we thought), occasional digestion troubles, soar-throats from talking and dry weather, and training hurdles, but all-in-all an amazing experience. I think the trainees and Pam and I are learning so much from each other.

We have a few more days, but it feels like things are winding down. We leave Saturday from our hotel around noon and will be back in Blacksburg at 7 or 8 (?) PM on Sunday. I think I figured about 40 hours from door to door, but so worth it. I can't wait to share some more stories and pictures.

Pam and I are visiting the monasteries on Lake Tana today:
1. Mariam - Azuwa Monastery
2. Entos Eyesu Monastery
3. Source of the Blue Nile
4. Debra Mariam Monastery
Beautiful murals depicting biblical stories cover the walls. It has been great to explore these historic and sacred places.

From 200712_Ethiopia

I'm also enjoying being away from town and on the water. There are many birds out on the lake, gulls, cormorants, pelicans, etc. It is cool to see the coffee and papaya along the trails growing amongst the large forest trees.

From 200712_Ethiopia

We're settling in here in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. I think some other people are waiting for the computer, so I'll have to make this brief. The weather is beautiful here and the people so nice. We have had obvious set-backs with software and our trainees thinking they were more prepared than they truly are, but we're making the best of things and trying to take it slow.

From 200712_Ethiopia

We had delicious traditional food today that we ate with our hands and enjoyed thoroughly. We will continue to try new restaurants at lunch and eat at the hotel for breakfast and dinner. It is amazing how busy this small town is. I thought last night while a generator outside of my window kept me up that people don't sleep in Ethiopia. There is always something going on. The most exciting sounds have been the early call to prayer at the local mosque and the busy streets with happy people playing soccer, going to market, etc.

From 200712_Ethiopia

Brian looking good on our hike from Barney's Wall to the Upper Cascades.

Thanksgiving at Crystal and Dave's in Grapevine, TX, near Dallas, with the whole family (minus Jacob). Click on the photo to see more.

200711_Thanksgiving

A trip to Germany

Mom and I had a great trip to Germany. I put these photos up a bit ago, but wanted to get some captions on them to share our trip. Click on the photo below to go to the full album, stories, and explanations.

200710_Germany