Orthodox Christian Easter

Well, as with everything in Ethiopia, the timing is different. I believe Easter is celebrated here one full Moon after the rest of the world (except other Orthodox Christians. What is an unorthodox Christian by the way? Someone who believes Jesus was a woman? You know: the Mother, the daughter and the holy spirit?)

Thursday was pretty quiet at college, most of the students and instructors had left a day early to go to their families. The actual public holiday for Good Friday was the next day, but with transport like it is, most people probably had to leave to make sure they got home in time. Sunday is the big celebration here. I’m not sure whether that’s for religious reasons, or because none of them have had any meat for 40-60 days, fasting for lent and Sunday is the big feast day. The sheep population in Ethiopia takes a nose dive and many people eat and drink to excess – apparently. Kitfo (raw meat) is a favourite dish. I avoid it for potential worm eggs contents, but many Ethiopians love it, and they attempt to counter the potential parasites by drinking 41% alcoholic contents “Ouzo” after eating the meat. I’m not sure how effective, if at all, this is though. I think Monday will be quiet also, for either; transport, hangover or indigestion reasons!

Last night it rained pretty continuously. The small hole in my roof seems to be dripping in the same position and only during very heavy bursts. The rain is bringing waves of insects. There have been waves of beetles, and last night it was like a battlefield with many struggling or dead beetles on the ground in the house. The ants are very useful at clearing away the corpses though – I remember reading somewhere that without ants, the place would be piled high with animal remains. The noise from the mozzies is incredible. There must be loads hiding somewhere as the cocophony of whining is pretty loud at dusk. Tonight there is a cloud of some small winged insects about. I wonder what will be next?