Awakened 7:00ish. Peanut butter and apricot marmalade on soft bread for breakfast.
A "sink" bath.
Finished reading a book from Stephanie's library in my bedroom: There is No Me Without You, a well-written book about an Ethiopian woman who took in dozens of children orphaned during the height of Ethiopia's AIDS crisis.
Started another book, Falling Leaves, an autobiography of a Chinese woman who grew up in 1940s-1950s China.
Did some hand laundry, then ventured out for lunch at the Rift Valley Cafe. Macaroni with vegetables. Finished Falling Leaves.
Took a long walk down Nazret's main thoroughfare, ending at a new-to-me internet cafe. Lo! It was actually almost fast, plus it allowed me the current version of gmail (versus the slo-mo version I've been messing with so far in Nazret).
I bought a three-inch, whittled stick from a woman who had two wee ones she tried to watch while selling her wares on the street. I'll ask Azeb tomorrow what the stick is for. I don't think it is the toothbrush stick, as the woman also sold those.
I bought a package of "soft" (kleenex) from a barefoot child who was no older than 5.
Saw three or so wedding processions go by in their be-flowered vehicles. Azeb told me the other day this is the height of the wedding season in Ethiopia; Lent begins in a couple of weeks and lasts for 54 days.
Note: I learned the whittle stick IS the toothbrush stick - just more "processed" than those I often see, which still have the bark on them.
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| My bedroom window at Azeb's house. Nazret, Ethiopia |
A "sink" bath.
Finished reading a book from Stephanie's library in my bedroom: There is No Me Without You, a well-written book about an Ethiopian woman who took in dozens of children orphaned during the height of Ethiopia's AIDS crisis.
Started another book, Falling Leaves, an autobiography of a Chinese woman who grew up in 1940s-1950s China.
Did some hand laundry, then ventured out for lunch at the Rift Valley Cafe. Macaroni with vegetables. Finished Falling Leaves.
 |
| Looking down "my" street. Nazret, Ethiopia |
Took a long walk down Nazret's main thoroughfare, ending at a new-to-me internet cafe. Lo! It was actually almost fast, plus it allowed me the current version of gmail (versus the slo-mo version I've been messing with so far in Nazret).
 |
| Nazret, Ethiopia |
 |
| Nazret, Ethiopia |
 |
| Nazret, Ethiopia |
I bought a three-inch, whittled stick from a woman who had two wee ones she tried to watch while selling her wares on the street. I'll ask Azeb tomorrow what the stick is for. I don't think it is the toothbrush stick, as the woman also sold those.
I bought a package of "soft" (kleenex) from a barefoot child who was no older than 5.
Saw three or so wedding processions go by in their be-flowered vehicles. Azeb told me the other day this is the height of the wedding season in Ethiopia; Lent begins in a couple of weeks and lasts for 54 days.
Note: I learned the whittle stick IS the toothbrush stick - just more "processed" than those I often see, which still have the bark on them.
4 comments:
An American student won a Science Fair award at the national level based on a study of African toothbrush sticks. His grandmother from Africa (where specifically, I don't remember) came for a visit and brought with her a supply of toothbrush sticks. He noticed that all of her teeth and gums were in excellent condition and began to wonder if perhaps the sticks had some antibiotic properties. Turns out that they did. The project was exceeding well done.
Hahaha! I think the Ethiopians have known this for a millenium or two. ;)
If I remember correctly, the antibiotic was in the bark! Looks like you paid extra to not get the best part.
Perhaps so. ...One of the reasons I like the first video in this post on Afar dance in Ethiopia is the use of the traditional toothbrush: http://livingrootless.blogspot.com/2011/05/ethiopia-traditional-dance-afar.html
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