expectations

we loaded into the trusty truck this morning and traversed the terraced highlands

 to meet with a coffee bean farmer and learn how his business functions. 

 his approximately 150 trees provide income for his family. 

 he willingly shared details about cultivating, harvesting, preparing,

 and selling the coffee beans with our team. 

 we also spoke with the women about the details of everyday life, thanks to the translation of Zerihun, Alex, and Lemmy, the local GHNI staff.  the women care for the children, cultivate the land, prepare food, take the crops to market, and acquire water from a spring at the bottom of the hill.  they also grow potatoes, onions, and chat to sell at the market.  (chat is a plant that is native to this area.  the men (mostly) chew the leaves,

as it is a mild stimulant causing excitement and euphoria. 

 it has developed into quite an unfortunate cash crop.) 

many of the children attend school, but some of them help with the farming. 

 they also have goats, donkeys, chickens, and cows.

they are living above the means of many others in the area. 

in so many ways Ethiopia, and her people, have exceeded my expectations. 

the landscape is not at all what i expected.

it is breathtaking.

there is greenery

and agriculture.

the people are not at all what i expected

them to be like.

they are generous and accepting.

they are kind and loving to their children,

each other, and to

us.

they have so exceeded my expectations.

we are two cultures,

but we are so similar.

 

we are one and the same.