Ethiopia - A country I have heard about since I was 3. The name has rung in my ears off and on since then. My first impressionable memory of "Ethiopia" was standing in our makeshift dining room in our house when we lived in Sudan back in 1980. We had some Ethiopian people in our home - to this day I dont remember who exactly - as this did not matter in my tiny mind. Our guests had brought and prepared a tradtional Ethiopian food for us. At some point during the visit my older brother Aaron decided to announce that "hey - little Sarah needs to come try this" So I do - I come over to the table and he gives me a taste of Injawa...a VERY spicy dish, especially to my naive tongue. So hot - I cried...and this was of course cute and entertaining to our guests - but maddening to me. Throughout the next several years I hear my parents talk about their 2 years in Ethiopia as Peace Corps workers in the mid 60's. How this experienced changed the course of my fathers career and how beautiful the country really was. Seeing their photos of green scenery and happy well dressed people was always somewhat of a shock to me - because I too grew up hearing about the ethiopian famine and seeing its images. The "we are the world" stuff - and in my mind that too was ethiopia. It wasnt until I saw a recent travel show - well nature show really that was filmed in the Ethiopian highlands did I sit awed at the beauty of what was on the screen, splayed out before me. A rich beautiful countryside with much to offer the natural eye. 
My mother to this day rermarks about its beauty and varying differences in climates and features - much like Peru. She also always mentions that it is known as the last resting place of the Arc of the Covenant, and that Ethiopians can be difficult to communicate with - this may be due to inherent complications with the translation of their main language of Amharic. But it took a TV show to convince me that this would be a place worth experiencing. I keep thinking - man Anthony Bourdain needs to go there - especially because they do have a set cuisine that I believe is very different from other African nations - and involves a lot of Spice! So - now my husband is over there, he is loving it he says. Cheap food and dry heat....(humidity is his arch enemy) He is out closer to the arid eastern border in Dire Dawa - which to my suprise was on a world map. He said the capitol was at a high elevation - and modern, and nice. Much different than western Africa. So - after his trip I will update this post - and see if his 5 week experience matches my hopes.
Traveling is intoxicating especially when your senses are bombarded with amazing sights, food, and people. Of course for many it can be scary - as the unknown many times is... I question why should anyone travel, beyond the motivation to have a week or so of relaxation or time with loved ones. Sometimes I doubt this innate love of travel, and think about what it is to just see somthing in the world. What does it change? me?...nothing?... just enjoying the somewhat selfish time I am having in a new environment? Not to get too philisophical about why we should travel or what it can bring into our lives I simply love to share what I believe to be a great attributes of discovery, learning, and enjoying the many amazing things that are in this world. I think for many of us traveling only helps us learn how to spark up these attributes in our lives again... reminds us also of the things that are really important in life - Our relationships with others, to reflect inward (and upward at times) and to learn to evolve and adapt. I understand the millions of people in the U.S. who dont leave their state of birth, they dont see the reasoning, as the things that are most important to them are in their immediate vincinity. Maybe they simply cannot afford it - or rather do not make it a priority in their lives. But I do believe that if every American were to go to another country, especially a 2nd or 3rd world one...we as a nation would be far better off than we are at this point in our history. I know many echo this - (and the only public indication that this should happen was in a movie 'Lions fo Lambs'.) There is much good to be felt and seen and to be brought back home and into our lives, incorporated into our own traditions and home life. One of the most extreme cases of good that I have recently read about that involved travel as a trigger was the book Three Cups of Tea. An incredible account of what the right person can do in the right place and how his travels brought him to ultimately effect the lives of thousands. This is rare - and happenstance, not planned which is the best part of life at times...the things that are not planned. So be open, not naive but open minded, when you travel. You never know what you will encounter - hopefully mostly good. Oh - and try NOT to stand out...being a target is never good.
My mother to this day rermarks about its beauty and varying differences in climates and features - much like Peru. She also always mentions that it is known as the last resting place of the Arc of the Covenant, and that Ethiopians can be difficult to communicate with - this may be due to inherent complications with the translation of their main language of Amharic. But it took a TV show to convince me that this would be a place worth experiencing. I keep thinking - man Anthony Bourdain needs to go there - especially because they do have a set cuisine that I believe is very different from other African nations - and involves a lot of Spice! 