how does it feel … to be without a home … a complete unknown … like a rolling stone ???

I was sick yesterday.  It was not the nicest day of my life, though far from the worst.  I took the day off food, drank about 6 liters of water and went to bed at 7:00.  I seemed to pass whatever it was, as I felt pretty good today.  Fingers crossed for tomorrow, as I get to talk about blood, sex and genital ulcers all day.

I figure 2 sick days in 2 months isn’t something to complain about.  And on the bright side, Lindsay, Des, Medin, Becky and Laura have all been suffering from flea bites, and I have not.  I chalk this up to semi-occasional bathing and rarely cleaning my laundry.  More bright side: when you are sick, everybody loves you.  I woke up this morning, and Jess made me Eggs, Hashbrowns and Toast, and then Laura gave me a bite sized Mars bar, which may have been the greatest single moment of my entire life.  I am not exaggerating. 

Speaking of genital ulcers, here’s a fun fact:  it is my duty to explain that HIV can be contracted through Vaginal, Anal and Oral Sex.  Only, most Ethiopians don’t actually know what oral sex is.  Experience tells us that saying the words “HIV can be contracted through Oral sex” generally results in hands being raised.  Guess who gets to answer the question “what is oral sex?”  It is worthy of note that I tend to be a hand talker.  I feel a concerted effort to hold my hands at my sides is in order.

Here’s another fun fact:  In Ethiopia, homosexuality is illegal, and the only women who visit rural drinking houses are ‘women of the night.’  BUT, Ethiopia has very vibrant and colorful music, with much dancing.  What does this mean?  Lots and lots of drunk straight guys dancing with other drunk straight guys in dark rooms.  Can’t tell you how weird that was the first night we went out.  Drink in hand, checking out the dance-floor, starting to sway my hips in time with the music, when I am approached by an 5’ tall inebriated Ethiopian man getting his groove on.  Then another.  Then another.  When in Rome, right?  Also guys (including soldiers with AK47’s strapped to their backs) like to walk down the street holding hands.  Not sure if I have mentioned that before. 

I also have started a daily routine of having my ass kicked at foosball by the kids in the street.  They have taken pity on me and now take turns being on the losing team (read: my team) with me.  The shame doesn’t come in being beaten by an 8-15 year old.  The shame doesn’t come in paying that 8-15 year old to beat me.  The shame doesn’t even come in being laughed at in defeat by a group of 25 8-15 year old spectators.  The shame comes in being beaten, consecutively, by all 25 of them.   I take comfort in the fact that, as they have never seen ice, or even a freezer, I am an easy favorite if they ever want to pay me to beat them at curling.

Otherwise, life is as ordinary as possible.  I have made some very close friends I will be sad to leave.  I have a crush on a girl I will likely never see again, and can hardly understand (though I have never really understood any woman).  I eat a lot of bananas and oranges.  I dedicate lots of time to learning and sitting around thinking.  I fall asleep dreaming of what could be, and wake up wishing I could sleep another hour.  I look forward to the future’s uncertainty, and spend too much time dwelling on the passage of time.  Some things … many things … never change. 

The scenery sure is nice though.

That’s it for me. I leave for Kenya and then Sudan in a little over 2 weeks.  Holy shit! (forgive my language mom, but seriously, it’s just a 4 letter word, and is extremely effective at conveying emotion)

p.s. I was kidding about the bathing and laundry.  I do both whenever there is water, which ranges from semi-occasional to rare.

p.p.s. … Just one more fun fact, cause they are just so fun, aren’t they?  Again, if I am repeating myself, a) forgive me, b) get over it.  Ethiopia, in this region, is super conservative.  Women and men do not show leg, chest, or wear clothes that draw attention to the crotch area.  BUT, they do urinate in public pretty much everywhere you go.  You can’t even imagine how many penises I see every day.