You know you're in Ethiopia when...

---

Take yourself back to 29 October 2004... Where were you? What were you doing? I was at the Sheraton, drinking screw drivers, teaching Mary (my host sister) how to swim and getting caught up in an Ethiopian wedding. Oh, that's right- that was yesterday!!! Yes, folks, Ethiopia is quite literally 7 years behind. I'm sitting here with a beer, feeling quite illegal- the drinking age here is 18, and I am apparently 14 years old right now. How rebellious!!! Also, just quietly, perhaps a West Australian calendar for 2012 wasn't the best gift idea? I also planned my stay so that I would be here for Christmas- I am meant to leave on 27 December. Turns out Ethiopia's christmas is in January. Genius, Sarah, pure genius.

This isn't an entry to inform you so much of day to day events and happenings- it is to give you an idea of the traditions, etiquette and behaviours of your garden variety Ethiopian.

You know you're in Ethiopia when...

- You are the only white person on the plane on arrival

- The flight feels more like a communal catch up than an independent means of travel

- You are welcomed by everyone, at every time- it is, afterall, the country of hospitality

- There is no toilet paper in the toilet. Any toilet

- You don't eat with a knife and fork- you eat with your right hand. What is the left hand meant to be used for? Read preceding dot point

- Every child wants to practice their english on you

- You have at least one marriage proposal each day from total strangers

- You need to wear dark sunglasses to stop people from staring at your eyes

- Every day on your walk to and from the bus stop you pass through a camp of Somalian refugees

- You are reminded that few people can swim

- A wedding with 500 people is classified as a down scale event (most will have upwards of 2000)

- Said wedding involves the bride and groom sharing bread and lamb with their wedding guests- not wedding cake

- You find yourself drinking fermented honey at the wedding

- You realise the alphabet is the only alphabet in the world that is completely unique and separate from any other

- All biblical references are talked about as factual history

- You realise coffee from any other country just doesn't cut it (even for a non-coffee person)

- It is not uncommon for your 12 year old host brother to bring you tea- talk about service!!!

- You start to feel sorry for cars and their suspension

- It is common to see 2 men kissing cheeks and walking down the street holding hands (homosexuality is illegal)

- The popular form of dancing is moving your shoulders up and down

- One hug is never enough :-)

Generally, the people here are so friendly and loving. Everyone in my host family kisses me hello and goodbye and treats me like their oldest daughter (initially I typed that wrong, and wrote 'oddest daughter'. Freudian slip, no?)

You have now been briefed on the basics of Ethiopian life. I hope everyone is happy and well wherever you are.

---