Easter 2000

(Sunday 27th April 2008)

Officially 8 years younger! Yesterday, I felt it too. But this morning arrived and I had to brace myself for the carnivore feast to come. Being up early with the priests however, I decided on a little breakfast to enjoy the cheese that Allan had brought me from Addis before it went off. Kibebe arrived at about 10:30 telling us that the family were waiting. First meal of the day – doro wot – we declined the beer on account of it being too early in the day but Belete tucked in to the wine I had brought (for Adina, but we’ll let that pass!). The coffee ceremony followed – carried out by Adina. We sat back and watched the tv, music and dance celebrations from around Ethiopia with a short break for the BBC World News.

At 11:30 we said our goodbyes having promised (reluctantly) to return in the evening with Allan’s visitor for dinner.


Rainbow birds in my garden

Mekdes met us at the house and took us to her family home – a small mud hut in a compound full of children, dogs and cats. We were greeted by her mother, sister and various smaller children, one of whom was a rather shy brother. Allan and I were immediately served with a huge meal of meat – sheep, chicken and ... well I didn’t ask. Our plates were constantly being refilled despite vigorous protests from both of us and we realised that the only way out of this was to stop eating and trying to empty our plate. We were given a beer and then another – the second of which I had to leave.

The coffee ceremony was performed, photographs admired, more photographs taken and an impromptu dance from two young neighbours together with Mekdes’s older brother who had returned from dancing celebrations for a quick lunch.

Saved by a text message, after two hours, Allan and I left to go and meet Elidh at Piazza. Groaning with being overfed, we decided to walk at least part of the way. When the heat got to us, we caught a line taxi. Another juice, this time with pineapple was a welcome and healthy balance to the food.

The afternoon saw a major storm so I took the opportunity for a much needed siesta before returning to the neighbours for an evening meal. This time, we tried a little of the wine – which was rather like a medium dry sherry. As Belete refilled his glass, Adina reminded him it was her present! Though I think they would have been happy for us to stay the evening, I had had enough! I invited everyone round to the Leymeyer for a drink. Belete confessed he had already drunk too much but would come with me on Monday.

After some debate – which included my insistence that Monday night was not an option, we parted company with the parents but took Kibebe with us to the Hotel. She was very excited – 23 years old and never goes anywhere! The hotel was heaving with young, middle class Ethiopians celebrating and everyone was dressed in their finest traditional outfits. The music was loud but the atmosphere was bright and cheerful – very enjoyable.