I’m finally in Ethiopia with Mike and I don’t think I’ve been this happy . . . ever! It feels so good to be back in our own little world together :] I saw him through the gate and my heart dropped. He looked so different. . .in an amazing way. It was hard enough keeping in contact with him because he barely gets internet or cell service, so seeing him in the flesh felt like a dream.
These past few days have been heaven, and I keep wondering how I survived seven months without him. The first few days, we explored downtown Addis Ababa–the capital of Ethiopia–and I’m already overwhelmed. It’s a poor country, but the people here are so amazing and nice. Everyone goes out of their way to greet you and make you feel welcome. We explore, drink the famous coffee, and meet his Peace Corps friends for dinner (where the power promptly went out–but this is normal). We also visit Addis Alem, the small town outside of the city to visit his host family. This is the real deal. They grow most of their food on their property and they don’t even get mail. He shows me where he walked down to find internet, where he played soccer with his host family, and where he slept. I try and picture how he dealt with this drastically different way of life when he first got here and I grow even more proud of him. I truly can’t imagine being dropped off in a foreign country with extreme poverty, not knowing the language, and not even getting to communicate with loved ones back home. I don’t know how he did it — but it’s really inspiring. It made him a stronger person. His host family loves him and were so happy to have us visit. Kids line the streets to greet him, and he speaks Amharic with them like a local.
His host sister showed me their traditional buna ceremony — where they lay out straw on the ground and ground up the fresh coffee beans and roast it right there. The coffee was thick, strong, had chunks of beans in it– and was SO good. Mike did a great job of painting the picture of Ethiopia in his blog, but it didn’t hit home for me until I came here to experience it myself. I’m still getting used to the sights and smells and sounds of this place, but I’m already so in love.
Good grief lady, you're so gorgeous inside and out! I LOVE that you're having such an amazing time already and can't wait to hear all about it in May! 😀
absolutely… incredible. You are both so vibrant
Wow, Carly, your pictures are incredible. You really capture the place. Amazing. Awesome. I am so glad you are there with Michael, and I know he is, too.
LOVE LOVE OMG LOVE. Those colors are amazing. I am so happy to be living vicariously through you and your adventures. So happy for you!
These are AWESOME, Carly! SO good. I love the kids cheesin it up. Awesome! Have so much fun!
Carly! I saw this posted on FB. How amazing and exciting! Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I'm so happy for you- take care there 🙂
Carly these are so amazing!!!!! Im so happy for you. How do they like the kracker jacks??
Carly — Wonderful pictures; thanks for sharing. And what a great experience for you, and what fun for Michael to have you there. Have safe travel.