Oy Vey

Ways to guarantee that I won't be giving anything to a beggar... run across 6 lanes of traffic holding your cane when you see me walk across the street and then start using the cane when you realize that I spotted you and then come up and tell me that you are incredibly crippled and can't possibly get a job... Come on, I am sorry that you have a very hard life, but don't insult my intelligence.
It was so ridiculous that it made me chuckle and thought that it pretty well encapsulated what it is to be a white American in Ethiopia. We are instantly targetted as prime sources of income for beggars, pan-handlers, sellers of DVDs/CDs/copies of Newsweek from 2004/maps of the world complete with the USSR/herb guaranteed to "bring you closer to the Almighty" (gotta love Rastas!). It is a very difficult thing that I have discussed on this blog in the past, how to deal with beggars in Ethiopia. It isn't easy. In fact, it is miserable and wears on me constantly. Telling a mother with a baby or a little kid that you won't be giving money kills a bit of your soul, but I can't in good conscience justify giving money everytime. It seems that foreigners giving establishes them as a reliable source of charity, when it has to be Ethiopia that begins to take care of its poor in order for long-time change to begin. That being said, I have no idea how Ethiopia would begin to make the changes that would bring this about. This is an incredibly poor, hard place that I honestly hope that change can come to... but I sure don't have any suggestions on how to make it happen.
On a little note, digitizing continues to cruise along. We have shot about 670 manuscripts (destroying our original goal of 400 total!). We also have shot about 75,000 pictures since arriving. It has been really exhausting, but what we are getting done is amazing. Well, I am going to close out by giving you a list of things I am looking forward to most about returning to North America. Until next time.
1. Having my cell phone back and being able to call family and friends
2. No cockroaches in my house
3. A hot shower / Not having an electrical outlet in my shower that I am constantly terrified that is going to electricute me and cause me to have the sorriest obituary ever.
4. A bacon cheeseburger and fries
5. Sports
6. Not having to hide out from beggars
7. Being able to sleep in my own bed (which also doesn't have cockroaches)
8. Familiar food and familiar surroundings/ anything familiar at all
9. Not getting laughed at by people as they look at the funny looking white guy
10. Fresh vegetables and fruit
It's funny how it's the little day-to-day things that you miss the most :)