Tonight, January 6th, 2015 by our calendar, is Christmas Eve in Ethiopia. Nate and the kids and I went out to eat at an Italian pizzeria and had one pizza and a plate of tibs (spicy fried meat) and injera, the typical Ethiopian fermented flat bread made from the staple grain teff. An odd combination you might say but it was delicious and Nate said it reminded him of pizza and spicy Buffalo wings from home! Anyway, we had fun and spent the equivalent of $11 US on the meal--for the most part eating out is very reasonable here.
On the way there and back it was fun to see the preparations for Christmas day happening around us. Men leading reluctant bulls or sheep down the road, no doubt about to become tibs for some large Christmas gathering. Nicely dressed ladies with a handbag tucked under one arm and a large, live rooster nonchalantly tucked under the other, on their way home to prepare doro wot, the wonderfully spiced chicken stew that is typically served on special occasions here. Ladies selling freshly cut long green grass in bundles along the side of the road (we've seen it used to decorate floors on special occasions). People of various ages popping into the bakery we like to buy special boxes of cookies. Western style Christmas trees, lights, and colorful garlands decorating small souks (shops) along the road. Malkum ya Gena baal! Merry Christmas from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!
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