Ethiopia has officially rocked my world!

After leaving the orphanage, I traveled to Ethiopia as an invited ambassador for AJC (American Jewish Committee) to meet with Foreign Ministers, the US and Israeli ambassadors, world health and economic infrastructure NGO’s and several poor schools.  I got the opportunity to travel around Ethiopia with Dr. Rick Hodes where we fed remote tribal children and pregnant mothers iodine tablets (prevents blindness) and de-worming pills (de-worms them).  These experiences • especially forcing tribal children to swallow medicine will change you.  Forever.

Ethiopia does things differently.

  First of all, it is the year 2000 (they are 8 years behind the rest of the world).  Secondly, they have 13 months in a year.  And thirdly, their 12-hour daily clock starts when the sun rises (6am).  So, at 7am, it is the first hour of the day so it is really 1:00 for them.  At 8am, it is the second hour of day and so it is 2:00.  Then, when the sun sets at 6pm, it starts over again: 7pm is 1:00 for them (the first hour of night).  And 8pm is 2:00 (the second hour of the night). This is just the beginning of their interesting culture....

Internet here is absolutely horrific.  It takes 20 minutes to send ONE email.   So, I will have to update this blog as soon as I get to Tanzania (assuming things work better there).

ETHIOPIA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.  I spent time in Addis Ababa, Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Arba Minch and the INCREDIBLE Omo Valley.  I can't wait to share stories and photos of the Omo Valley.  The Omo Valley has to be one of the most incredible places on the planet.  Wait until you see my photos of the tribes that live there.  The Banna, The Hamer, The Omarate tribes - they are truely unbelieveable.  You have to see to believe.

So, I apologize in advance: I have stories and photos of EACH of these places and will update them when I find a sufficient Internet..... For now, check out just a few of my posted photos.