Monday, July 18, 2011

Harar and Jijiga

Finally, I am ready to start writing here!

For the past two weeks I was in the Somali region of Ethiopia, on the border with Somalia. It was a crazy and fun experience. Pru (my roommate/co-worker/friend) and I were charged with the task of helping a bunch of rowdy Somali men create a reports-based monitoring system for the Pastoralists Livelihoods Initiative. We also went to a city called Harar for the weekend, so here are a few photos from the two weeks.

Visit to Harar:
Shalom Bakery in Harar! (I think they just chose it as the name)



The hyena man is one of the most famous parts of Harar. Apparently for several generations this family has "tamed" these wild hyenas. The guy getting jumped on was our guide for the day.



A "traditional" Harari house

It's a tomb!

We were welcomed into a pre-wedding ceremony. These were the old ladies watching the dancing.



Rastafari's House (apparently)

Some guys chewing chat, the very popular Somali/Ethiopian leaf that gets you high.


Coffee bean husks. They make tea from it.


Visit to Sheder refugee camp:

These are doors they are putting on houses to make them more secure and protect families from gender-based-violence and theft


I love this! An IRC donkey!

Typical house in the camp


SO big!


Here's me with a camel. He is carrying somebody's house on his back. Yes, I did eat camel, but not this one. :)

Feel free to leave comments and questions!

9 comments:

Jessica Laird said...

I like the Hyena man!! Love you and miss you. Can't wait to see and hear more about how you are doing.

Cordelia said...

Great pics. Ethiopia is sooooo pretty. I want to come back and visit again!

Yay blog! But now you have to post!

Mommy J said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mommy J said...

Love the blog...love the pics...love the comments under the pics...love YOU!

Allison said...

The colors are so pretty!! XOXOXOXOXOXXO!

Marci said...

Amazing pictures Rae! I love the blog!!

laurenq said...

Fantastic! Love the explanations and I miss you! Wedding planning via skype soon? XOXOXOX

Rory said...

great photos! and i'm jealous that you got to try camel

Anonymous said...

Yay, glad to see you're blogging! Love the donkey. =] How is the drought response going in Ethiopia? Kenya is going crazy right now.