Friends in Addis

Friends in Addis

 

Quite a few people have asked whether I have made any friends here in Addis. I can't believe I haven't mentioned them, but I guess they have become part of my life here so quickly I almost feel that you know them as well as I do. First and foremost I am very lucky to have met David and Maureen. They both work here at the ministry in the department of HDP and CPD. We have lunch together almost every day and we socialise all the time. David and Maureen are retired but spend the last two and a half years running a school in a place called Ladac in north India. We all get on so well I can't believe how luck I am. David and I are going in search of tennis and squash courts tomorrow, possibly at the Greek Club!!!!! Also at the ministry are Simon and Isobel in the same department as David and Maureen. We all get on really well. I am also friends with other VSOs here in Addis; Nancy, Doreen, Catherine and Helen and of course my flatmate Kellie. We are finding plenty to do and are putting together an ever-growing list of things to do in Addis which will fill our weekends for quite some time.

 

Out of Addis are Jamie and Mary and Tara who live close by. In fact Jamie and Mary are almost part of the family, and come into Addis so much and often stay with me that I got an extra set of keys to my house cut for them! Just don't tell Kellie!!!!! Jamie, Mary and Tara have entertained us in Sabeta and Ambo, all for another blog. I don't think I have met anyone here so far (except a certain Canadian - nothing against Canadians – Nina is especially a lovely Canadian person) that I haven't got on with. I guess those people who travel or do VSO type work have similar outlooks in life.

 

Then further afield I have many VSO friends I stay in contact with such as Richard and Emilie, Vicky and Hazel and many others. WE all stay in contact through email, phoning and texting. But being in Addis is such an advantage as people from the regions will come down to Addis for various reason and we all go out and catch up with one another. It is a familial community and we all look out for each other, but more importantly we have a great laugh together. It is a great community of people from all ages. Nancy will be 29 on Wednesday and a whole group of us are going up to the hills surrounding Addis for a picnic. No-one cares who is what age, its brilliant. So I have a healthy and happy social life with a wide variety of interesting people. I couldn't be luckier.

 

As for Ethiopian friends, that will have to wait for another blog. Its 5.30 and the building is closing up. Also Ethiopian friends are a little more complicated. I was approached by a young man the other day shouting at me 'ferengi, ferengi, you, you' asking if I wanted a 'special boy' for my time in Addis. I declined politely and gave him a quick lesson on how rude it was to use the terms ferengi and you when trying to get someones attention!!!!!

 

Next time Ethiopian friends and social life in Addis, including my attempt at the 10K Great Ethiopian Run!!!!!!! Stop laughing Carole, I am still picturing you on the bike down Kings Park Drive!!!!!

 

Love to you all

Joanne x

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