The Three Musketeers

Our final compadre has arrived!  Last night Toby, Kyle, Hirut, and I picked up Galen from the airport.  We then headed to the Amare’s to drop off his stuff and decide what to do.  Gail and Zelalem had gone out to a movie (their first in 10 years!).  On our way back to the house, Kyle and I pointed out important things like where the school is, the different kinds of taxis, and of course, Kaldi’s.  As we pulled up the road, we realized the power was out.  Welcome to Addis, Galen!  First night = no power.  We ate a delicious dinner of taco salad and then decided to go to Kaldi’s.  Kyle and I got our flashlights out (since the streets barely had light anyways, and now it was pitch black) and while Galen was in the midst of searching for his in his suitcase, the power came back on.

The power coming back on is quite a celebration.  We always cheer.  Shane (Gail’s brother who also lives in Addis with his family; he lives right by our apartments) said that we will be able to hear our neighbors cheering as well when the power comes on in our apartments.  We left for Kaldi’s and took a contract taxi.  As we drove by Kaldi’s (you have to go further and make a loop around since it’s on the other side of the street), the driver coasted to a stop on the other side of the street.  We were confused because no one had ever let us off on the other side of the street.  He turned around and said “no gas”.  We were fine with crossing the street, but I felt bad for the poor guy.  Kaldi’s was delicious, of course.  Kyle and I got caramel macchiatos and Galen got a tea.  He’s a little sick, poor guy.  When we came home, Gail and Zelalem got back a few minutes after us so we sat with them as they ate.  However, Galen and I both ended up eating another helping (and I had two earlier!) and then we all had the traditional tea together.

It’s going to be weird not having the social tea after every meal.  I also have determined that I am going to lose a bit of my sense of taste this year.  With the spicy food plus tea/coffee every day, I am bound to lose some taste buds.  Tomorrow we get to move into our apartments and I am very excited!  If we have Feast, we will be moving into our apartments at 5:30ish.  If we don’t have Feast, we will be moving in around 3:30ish.  The “if” is because the Amare’s community has Feast the Sunday after the actual Feast day at 3PM.  The Bole community (which we will be in) has Feast on the actual Feast day at the Baha’i Center.  So, the Amare’s haven’t determined whether we have Feast tomorrow or not, yet.  I am assuming we will because Feast is supposed to start tonight at sun down.

I think Kyle and I are taking Galen out to a mall today so he can get a phone, I can get an internet device, and we can get money for our SIM cards.  If this adventure works well, I will have internet in a few hours and can finally post all my blog posts!  The dial-up hasn’t been working for me over the past few days.  Since I can’t get on blogger, I can’t go back and change the dates and times of the posts.  So if I am ever able to get back on, I will put the correct day and time.  Ciao!  (They actually say “ciao” here!  I think it’s the only thing the Italians left with this culture .)