My Dream Year

I have now spent 8 months in beautiful Ethiopia. I have thoroughly enjoyed living in this chaotically beautiful place. Working for AidCom has been challenging, interesting and a lot of fun. I did not quite know what to expect when I first got this exciting job, but this year has been rewarding in so many ways. I have gained new skills, experiences as well as new friends. AidCom is a young, small business with big dreams and a big heart. I have been happy to be part of this team.

I wish to share some of the highlights from my Dream Year:

I have visited the beautiful city of Bahir Dar, were I after a long climb in the rain came to see the astonishing waterfall of the blue Nile. I have seen the churches of Lalibela, enjoyed the view of the hills and valleys from the seemingly extraterrestrial restaurant Ben Abeba. I have been seranated by a masinko (one-string violin) stand-up comedian with the following punchline: “with your hair of gold I could buy a minibus”. I have sat in a traditional Harari-house, smoked shisha with new friends and visited the chat-markeds. I have been given the honor of naming a new born baby boy, I named him Minas. I have fed hyenas meat from a small wooden stick and seen how magic the starry sky looks when an entire city looses power.

I have trekked the green valleys of the Wenchi crater lake, cooked tibs (local dish made from beef and chilies) in the wilderness and ridden the sandy hills on a colorfully decorated horse. I have spent my 24th birthday on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, walking on the white sand and breathing in the fresh ocean breeze. I have visited the great pyramids of Giza in Cairo and walked the busy streets of an Egyptian souk. I have been the face of a local beer commercial and met the most famous comedians of Ethiopia. I have seen the great river gorge of Chancho and Debre Libanos.

I have soaked in the culture, enjoyed so many traditional injera meals, listened in delight to the nostalgic tunes from the different regions, watched women dressed in white robes flutter their wings as they dance the traditional eskesta and their male counterparts jump fast enough to make it look like they are floating in the air while doing the traditional dance of the Gurage.

Most importantly, I have met so many lovely people, shared thoughts and laughter and generally had a blast. I have thoroughly enjoyed my dream year! Thank you AidCom, for this incredible opportunity!