Today it started to rain after lunch so we weren’t able to make it back to the worksite in the afternoon because the road was pure mud. It’s okay though because we’re pretty far ahead of schedule.
Instead we wondered up the street where there was a basketball court and soccer nets. We brought Julie’s soccer ball and Brian’s football.
Julia and Lauren getting into the soccer game with the kids.
All of a sudden a soccer game started between our student-athletes and the children who were at the field. Everyone worked up a good sweat and it ended up being a tie game.
Those not in the soccer game started playing catch with the football or just interacting with the kids. Afterwards a basketball game started. It was unreal.
I brought out my camera for some action shots and ended up taking pictures of the children as well. It’s amazing how fascinated they all were with being able to see their picture after I took it. It makes sense because they never really see themselves since they don’t have mirrors in their homes.
The children loved having their picture taken.
After taking one photo they all wanted to join in on the fun. I started to practice my Amharic with them while they expanded their English.
Somehow we ended up singing songs so we busted out the OSU fight song for them. Before we left for dinner we all got a group picture together.
Chloe and I about to devour the shiro.
I’ve really enjoyed the Ethiopian food. Gill has come up with the perfect way to describe the content feeling after a full meal here. It’s called “Spicy Belly” not be confused with “Spicy Mouth.”
Spicy Belly is easily achieved after eating dorowat, a delicious hot chicken dish that is served with injera.
Ethiopians do not really use utensils, instead injera is used to scoop up food. Gill and I have really embraced the utensil free eating method. I also love the shiro a chickpea stew that tastes a little like tomato soup.
It’s crazy to think that 6 days ago I barely even knew the other student-athletes on the trip and now we are all very close. Some quality nicknames have developed include Ohmyjosh, Clarkybuns, KiloJoule, MartMart, and Stefano.
It’s been somewhat frustrating to have no wireless internet connection, especially since it means I can’t post these blogs until we return to Addis.
Our communication methods have really changed compared to when we are in the US. Normally, I text people to make plans. If for some strange reason they don’t have texting, I phone them. If their phone is lost or broken I’d use Facebook, Twitter or email. None of these are available here so setting meeting times and locations is key.
Hopefully it doesn’t rain again tomorrow so that we can make it out to the work site.
GO BEAVS!
Limited Internet access prevented Stephanie from posting these blogs while she was in Ethiopia. The trip was completed in late June 2012.
