I am convinced that there are no isolated parts of the world. No man is an island. Rural Ethiopia often seems disconnected or isolated, but it's not. However loose or unimportant they seem, the connections with the global economy, pop culture, and international political scene are real. I was reminded of this when we went for breakfast yesterday. We have a favorite coffee house in town where we like to go a couple times a week. It is a simple tarp-covered shelter with benches and a radio. The owner, Adam, makes the best "ful" in town. Ful is made of split peas cooked with onions, butter, hot peppers, and spices. It comes in a hot skillet, and you eat it as a dip with fresh bread. For years, Adam has charged 2 Birr (15 US cents) for a plate of ful. Yesterday the price went up to 3 Birr--a 50% increase.
Prices have been changing all over the country following a sudden adjustment to the value of the currency here. Ethiopian currency is not traded internationally like most currencies. The value relative to the dollar is set by the central government much like China's currency. To everyday people that means instead of prices gradually rising throughout the year, known as inflation, prices suddenly jump whenever the currency is devalued. I'm not complaining that ful is now a few more pennies; I think Adam could have raised his prices years ago. But higher prices without higher wages is tough. People in rural Ethiopia are struggling along with the rest of the world during tough economic times. Just like everyone else, my friend Berhanu is struggling to pay his electric bill, put his kids through school, save up to own his own cow--right now he owns only half of a cow. The other night he told me that his new baby girl is keeping him up at night. I gave a sympathetic laugh and told him, "Yeah, sometimes they do that." As our seven-month old, Emry is crying right now, I am amazed at how much I can relate to a people who at first seem totally foreign, disconnected, isolated.
Where ever you are reading this, thank you for being "connected" with us here in Ethiopia. No man is an island. With all of you, we feel anything but isolated.
Andrew and Faith
You are some of my favorite heros. I was just thinking of you yesterday. The last time you came home, I got to keep Alea while you two did your thing. She, of course, was very fine company. I was thinking about you working without monetary gain. Thinking about a neigborhood barn party with an auction thrown in, hoping you are blessed by the income. Wondering what you would have thought about our most recent neighborhood BURN party last Saturday night. Hosted by none other than your very parents, Andrew. Guess you can only imagine some of the interesting articles that were burnt! I certainly wouldn't want to disclose any of them!! Love you guys, Jane
ReplyDeleteThe ful is 3 birr now!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, do i miss it!!