Back from Ethiopia (temporarily)
I've been back a week and half already, but I've been on the run since I got home. I also came home to a sad situation (see my post in the Rainbow Bridge section). My parents celebrated their 50th anniversary and we went out to the end of Long Island to join them and then I had to leave on a 4 day business trip to Houston for the opening of the "Lucy" exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural History. "Lucy" is one of our oldest ancestors and this is the first time she has left Ethiopia. The exhibit is not only about "Lucy", but Ethiopia, as well and is well worth seeing if you are in Houston. Here are some of my photos of Ethiopia. Hope you enjoy them! 
People at the plaza in Dire Dawa in front of the train station waiting for the train from Djibouti to come later that day. 
Vendor in the market at Dire Dawa arranging her goods 
A typical decorated wall inside of a house in the ancient city of Harar 
The Hyena Man of Harar. They attract the Hyenas outside the walled city each night with bones, offal, etc. They are truly crazy!! 
Mursi women in southern Ethiopia. The larger the lip plate the more beautiful you are considered 
Mursi men with body decorations 
Market day in Dimeka in southern Ethiopia 
Zebras in Nechisar National Park in southern Ethiopia 
Baboon on hood of my Land Cruiser outside of Arba Minch in southern Ethiopia Kathie |
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Those are truly amazing pictures. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! I had to look real close to believe those were women in the picture. 
sorry about the bad news upon your return. |
| Very interesting pictures.
Those lip plates are gross!!! One way to slow down your eating and stay slim, I guess. A totally different culture, that's for sure. We have a large Somali and Sudanese population around us. They have some adjustment issues. And we see lots of health issues, even in the kids that are born here. Thanks for the great pictures - more?? |
| Cool pictures! Love the wildlife pics. |
| Do they really have to be concerned about staying slim in Eithiopia???
Great pics. I simply love the Baboon.. and his big pic is soooo sharp and clear!!!! |
| Fantastic photos what a incredible experience going there and experiencing such a different culture. It looks truly amazing over there.
Thanks for sharing, just wonderful.  |
Ron wrote: Do they really have to be concerned about staying slim in Eithiopia???
That was said tongue in cheek..... 
Ooohhhh! now you are rubbing off on me too Ron.  |
got sheep wrote: That was said tongue in cheek..... Plate in cheek? |
| I hope the women don't run much there and just stick to cleaning and cooking. I know I couldn't hang there......... literally. |
| Quite amazing pictures - I could stand to see some more! What an experience! |
| My goodness those are wonderful pictures! The guy with the hyena is nuts! I love the baboon picture |
Welcome home Sorry about your loss. 
Congrats to your parents on their anniversary! Wonderful pictures! Those lip plates are really gross
Cool Hyena, but that guy is crazy! I love the Baboon and Zebra pics |
Super cool pics! I know this sounds crazy, but I'm really jealous of the hyena guy I've always LOVED hyenas, for some reason  |
| wonderful pics, thanks for sharing |
| Wow! Amazing pictures! I used to have a friend from Ethiopia. He used to always say "Felle gallo" to me... (can't really spell it correctly since it's Aramaic). I finally asked someone else what it meant, they laughed for about 5 minutes then finally told me |
| What a tremendous opportunity and experience you've had! The pictures are just fascinating. I love studying and learning about different cultures. It's so interesting how differently we see the world.
I didn't know that baboons ate the bananas with the peel on.
More photos, please!  |
| Cool pictures. So, are the mursi people in the minority by still living in a traditional way or are there a lot of people living in little villages like that? Such a different world. So interesting! |
| WOW, what amazing photos. WHAT an experience!!!!!!!!!! |
| Welcome back. Thanks for sharing such amazing pictures. I had no idea of the colorful culture. Just magnificent. It amazes me the standards of beauty with the lip plate. Is there a reason why they'd find that particular trait attractive?
The Lucy exhibit sounds really interesting too. Would love to see more pictures. |
| Hi,
By popular demand some more pictures below. Ethiopia is a country of vast contrasts. In the northern highlands you have ancient cultures that have written and oral traditions that date back thousands of years. In the south of the country you have cultures like the Mursi, Hammer, Dorze and other tribes that are literally just living out of the stone age. No written traditions and no education system. Ethiopia was the only country in Africa that was never colonized. This is because when the Europeans were dividing up Africa, they decided it was "civilized", because it had been Christian since the early 4th century. One of the earliest Christian countries in the world. Ethiopia, up until about 20 years ago, was about 1/3rd Jewish, 1/3rd Christian and 1/3 Muslim. It is now about 50% Christian and 50% Muslim. Over the last 20 years Israel has airlifted most of the Jews out of the country. Ethiopia will have tremendous social issues over the next years. Approx. 70% of the population if under the age of 20 and the education issue is simply not being addressed. As I said above, there is no education system in the south. The children are expected to tend the stock. On the other hand the average lifespan is less than 50 years. What social issues!! Enjoy the additional photos. 
Greater Kudu in the National Park 
Lesser Kudu in the National Park 
A Swaynes Hartebeast in the National Park 
A water falls down south during the rainy season. It was doing a good job of washing out the road 
Putting grain out on the side of the road to dry. You see this all over Ethiopia 
A typical house in Ethiopia 
My favorite picture. A very creative bridge over a river created by Americans. Everyone has to get out of the vehicle, except the driver, otherwise it is too heavy 
A typical well in a village. Only about 40% of the population has access to potable water. 
A typical "traffic jam" in Ethiopia Kathie |
| Fantastic Kathie, I am so envious of you and what you have experienced, truly magnificent.
When do you head back? Amazing country & people. |
| So amazing....it truly is fascinating. Thank you for sharing the photos and your knowledge of the country. When you return, how long will you stay? Do you find it hard to find things to eat (that you like)? |
| Hi,
I've been reading and keeping track of this post but hadn't had a chance yet to contribute as returning to work recently my time has become limited. Just wanted to tell you how envious I am of you and what an amazing experience you must have had. You are living a dream most people just think of. Pss if you ever need company....(at this point M jumps up and down and says Me! Me! Me!) Marianne |
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