Between power-outs and coffee ceremonies...
The contents of this web site belong to the group's members and do not reflect any position or policy of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.
Now that that's out of the way, this will be a place where I'll post while volunteering in Ethiopia as part of the Peace Corps.
PO Box #109
East Gojjam
Dejen, Ethiopia
Just in case anyone feels so inclined...
The meeting is an familiar, but difficult, tounge; my mind has long ago gone into autopilot and I begin to dream or think - the two have become indistinguishable. My thoughts drift, and I suddenly become conscious about the 10 stories that are below my feet. The room I am in over looks the entire city, with a vantage point that few others can rival. The noise of the city streets climbs the building, entering through the window, becoming the soundtrack of the meeting.
The discussion continues. The room is full, even with the windows open the room has gotten warmer. Exasperating the drowsiness that always follows lunch. Coffee and tea are quickly brought up adding a familiar chorus of clinking cups. Unfortunately, the sweet aroma of coffee and tea has added lead to my eye lids.
I am brought back by an unmistakable eagerness, that preludes the end of every meeting.
A hand goes up, a silent groan tops-off the room - the meeting continues.
I look out the window to a setting sun, and my mind goes adrift, again. I begin to think about everything I am giving up to be here another year. Everything that I have already given up. I find myself angry, with a faint taste of blood in my mouth. I stir, as if awaking, and look around me. And it hits me - as it always does - why I am here. I shake the silly thoughts from my head.
The meeting ends and I smile. After two hours in the meeting, two years in the country, and too many hours practicing, I have to ask what the meeting was about. I leave the room looking forward to another year.
