Just 10 days remain until I leave for Ethiopia. I thought it might be fun to answer some questions I’m getting, and share some other details about day to day life.
Won’t it be hot?
by DamienHR
No!
When we think of tropical regions in the time we call “summer,” it’s tempting to imagine the hottest weather we’ve experienced, and multiply it by a gazillion. But in reality, weather patterns are a lot more idiosyncratic than that.
In Ethiopia, for at least half my trip, I’ll be in the mountains, and it’s the rainy season. According to the charts, I can expect temperatures between 10 and 20 celcius, and about 250 milimeters of rain. If the carts are correct, that’s like London England, but 5 times as wet. I’ve been warned to bring good boots for the time I’m not in Dessie, where it’s reportedly less wet.
What’s the time difference?
by sugarmelon.com
All of the time is really, really different. I’m probably going to be early, late and confused the whole time I’m there.
- Ethiopia has 13 months. When I get there, it will be 2002.
- Their clock runs on a 12-hour system, beginning at 6am. So our 7am is their 1am. “meet me at 3 in the night” would mean “meet me at 9pm” in North America.
What are you going to eat?
By LollyKnit
All of Ethiopia is vegetarian two days a week, and there are plenty of Ethiopian veggie options the rest of the time too. Add to that a proliferation of Italian food, left over from Mussolini’s brief, unsuccessful occupation of Ethiopia, and I think my tummy will be quite happy there.
Ethiopian food itself is one of my all time favourite foods. It’s served on a big plate, on a flat bread called injera, which you tear off, and use as an edible utensil, to scoop up yummy mouthfuls of spicy lentils, kale, carrots, potatoes and the like.
Got any more questions? Leave ‘em in the comments and I’ll answer them!
