Ready or Not...

After a month or so here in Ethiopia we began to hear many of our colleagues talking about leaving for vacation or home assignment (furlough/deputation/whatever other term you’ve heard it called) around the middle of June. We quickly began to realize that although we would have been in the country for less than two months we would soon be among only a handful of expatriates (non-Ethiopian) left behind to hold down the fort.

So when the guest house manager asked if we would take care of her responsibilities while she and her family were away we thought…ready or not, I guess we’re jumping in with both feet! Even though we’ve been here such a short time we were the best option because we’re living in the guest house and she and I have the same name (Andrea not Travis).

Although it’s often easier (and more worthwhile) to cook for more than just the two of us there’s a bit of extra stress when you don’t know what your guests will like to eat or if they have any allergies. Last week 3 guests arrived within a couple of days of each other and two of them were only here for 3 days. Hence, we took upon ourselves the task of making dinner for those 3 nights for the 5 of us. All in all, things went quite well even though we didn’t have electricity any of the 3 evenings (Thank God for gas stoves and burners!).

Even though our primary role this first year is language learning it’s been kind of fun to have a small role in helping others begin to adjust to this new culture. Even as we ourselves are still adjusting we know how much our colleagues helped us begin the adjustment process and are privileged to be able to assist others do the same. Nevertheless, I think I’ll be glad when the other Andrea comes back.