Some Ethiopia images

Miami Dolphin spring break 2003

Strange I try to write our story. Just for me to have. A love story yet I find the words, I have so come to play with, are lacking on this one. Maybe its not over. So here is one I wrote...maybe not love but timing and location and something else …
The diversity of love by a woman with a bad memory…

Spring break filled with saying goodbye. The woman, core backbone of our family is on Hospis in the condo. The man, who didn’t show tenderness, sitting in deep emotion and processing with my mother by his side and me over her bed. I am loving, confused and photographing our angel.

A friend has come for me…to spend a few days on the beach and at her moms. Next door to Celine Dions and then to South Beach…to be some proper Spring Break…meet up with a crew of her friends at the hotel..and find myself alone one phone call. Sorting plans to get picked up and head back to the condo and airport.

I walked and the clouds moved. Grandmother there saying goodbye, saying hello, as they splash in the pool. I wander to the beach. Feel the water as I wade in, the pressure so much and I lay back to float. The rain has started to come down softly and I close my eyes as I allow all the water to wash over me. All the warm water, my tears washed into the sea and I am flying. Heavy and light and lifted out of the water, I am in the arms of a man. As I open my eyes I watch concern turn to a smile and he asks if im alright. I nod, he is not placing me down but I am still at peace and he does some introduction, Miami pro football player. He asks if he can support me. I can’t remember more. I close my eyes again, in my state of collapse the support brings grounding in some stability. I am laying back with the rain falling and breathing. Time passes slowly. Still with the water everywhere in motion, freeing me. I lifted my head and rolled back into the water and stood facing the quite stranger that needed no explanation. A soft small kiss of rainfall shared and I turned towards the beach and walked. Towards the people, to await my ride, to join the family, to take our flight …and to her say never goodbye.

A letter to a friend. mystery drink

Up a mountain, around a corner and over a cliff we go on the way to grandmothers house, wrong story, on the way to affiliate community in a town. Arrive at the house we have been looking for of the blacksmith, here thought of as the people with magic so ostracized. Normal introductions, blah blah, purpose of me being there etc. and I give my traveling colleagues the look, they all leave and Im with the family to make fotos and generally entertain. He shows me some ring working and his wife joins. To the next room and it’s the kitchen, energy saving stove and children for the pictures. Another contraption, two bowls and something else. I take a couple pictures and she returns with a water bottle full of clear liquid. I guess this thing is what they use to make it and a shot glass is filled to the brim for me. Its 9-930 in the morning so I just taste a tiny bit, I mean drop on the tongue bit, and am warm instantly. A smile on my face and close to a cough. Haha. If I had taken that shot, oh they would have been some lively photos to follow  back to the living room. More photos then we relax they put music and the little girls are up and dancing then the 20 something boy and then me. In aww of this crazy shoulder movements I have not seen EVER. Such shoulder gyration! Shit my shoulders hurt when I left that house to call to my colleges to do their interviews while I wonder around the community to make more photos and be entertained and entertain. A push up competitions on some boulders of balance with some boys soon came to follow.

Just a normal unpredictable morning like most days of this year all over. I figured it out 17 countries in 12 months, definitely a record for me. But Eastern Asia…I have never been past central Asia (ex USSR area). My volunteer status for a year doesn’t make it bankable for me to come travel but its with a frown that I say that. Turning down travel with good company is hard for me. But Id like a rain check for adventure some time. And if finance changes suddenly in the next couple months Ill be asking where to meet up.

The rows had for three days now.  I was giving photo training to colleague while in one of the leprosy communities here. He had to make photos I stayed still, so a woman braided. Easier then dealing with hair since my scarf flew away but they are not meant for my slippery hair its just getting to be a big ol mess and a group of international volunteers arrive tonight and I have to look presentable, being Habi staff and all.

World Cup part 3 The Abduction

USA Vs. Algeria and Yos is coming to town. To be honest I will get all into it for the US game with my hometown Man crew and others and because it’s the world cup how can one not?! I will really support our country. But my hearts just not in it like I am for Ghana. I will get a bit up in for Argentina as well. So the crew showed up. Two cars deep, one being a Land Cruiser so packed. I didn’t even see everyone who rode in till after the stadium. Loftis, very different stadium then the glowing one in Cape Town. We sat with maybe 50 kids. The non-profit Chris works with is partners with FIFA to bringing local kids to the matches. Those girls had worked out dances, lots of vuvus as usual and security of removing the people who just would sit down because we were closer than their seats.
As I understand it assigned seating is something new to the area.

Highlight was my bug. Girls ran screaming than when we were wandering, I saw its beauty and people just almost stepping on it. I lay my hand down it climbing on and i began the dissent to leave the stadium. It was about the size of my palm and beautiful. After some walking I found a tree for it where we returned for Yos to boost me to take out of the stadium blocked area and all the horns. We walked the distance back to the field at the boys school and found the party at the cars. Lots of star spangled banner singing with random Americans who saw the painted faces of those with me. More Ithacans then I knew where there. I love seeing I-towners in other countries I hung with the bug and them until there was talk of an abduction to be talking place. The bug was placed in a tree and I was directed in the way back with caleb to be handed face paint and get ready to head to Joberg and see Ghana!!! And Germany. And train back to my city the next day.Traffic crazy, cars stopped in the middle of the high way, cars on fire, total chaos, two were instructed out of the car to run towards the stadium parking…to many details in general for the night. Stadium incredible! Fifth row back, just behind where all the photographers sit, perfect. Screaming to lose my voice until my second day in Ethiopia. A night of Jolly after meeting new people bouncing to various locations, dancing of course…the next day hours figuring out how to get home with my camera in bag and bottle of whiskey brought from the states so I can give it to a well deserving person in SA and a train ride that I covered the bag with my jacket, as the passengers on the train asked why I was on it and warned me against people. But you don’t need to go to the market if you ride it  everything is sold on there. I arrived safe with a new person to ring for lunch or another round of pool, a hall had been stopped in as we awaited my ride to the office some hours, home to pack and then to Ethiopia.

World Cup part 1 Opening ceremonies

Lyrics to Waka Waka
“Time for Africa ”

You’re a good soldier, choosing your battles
Pick yourself up, and dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle
You’re on the front line, everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We’re getting closer
This isn’t over
The pressure’s on; you feel it
But you got it all; believe it
When you fall get up oh, oh
And if you fall get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your god; this is our motto
Your time to shine
Don’t wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising their expectations
Go on and feel it, this is your moment
No hesitation
Today’s your day, I feel it
You paved the way, believe it
If you get down, get up oh, oh
When you get down, get up eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
Tsamina mina eh, eh
Waka waka eh, eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa


Did I mention Im I've been in South Africa for the start of the World Cup and all its amazingness.

I admit I started wanting Cameroon to take it all...thier first match spoke to that not being possible...

GO GHANA it has been since!!!!!

Opening ceremonies found me on the Eastern Coast in Cape Town.
Starting the day early in Mufali, Township. A Habitat Youth build. Great people and almost everyone in the township seemed to be smiling. The party had started and the home owners-to-be had the normal quotes of transformation the house would bring to their family. The family could avoid some of the sickness that was brought on from the freezing houses made of aluminum and cardboard or other materials. The damp would stay out and they would have space to move and sleep in the house.  We are so excited we will be able to invite friends over to watch the World Cup. The TV is being brought over and we can all watch together in our home.
I watched Mexico and South Africa playing on the screen, talking to my father in Spanish as I rooted for the home team, not mine but where I live now. And the first goal was ours! Of the World Cup! I can't put into words how important that kick was for Africa. HUGE!! The streets were wild. Vuvuzelas blowing, the people were together, proud, and FEELING IT. Another phone call to my friend, the French Ambassador and upon the earlier request, it was a stop by and pick up that extra ticket for her and we were off. Race to the spot to grab the tickets, to the apartment to grab warm cloths because night time is C.O.L.D. in SA and walk over since the apartments close to the stadium…Beautiful, silver and lit something like I would imagine the starship enterprise, style modernized for when we all take off to Pluto.
Energy and people painted , I matched with blue and white coat and pink/red checkered WOOL pants. There with the French ticket so the dress supported. NO face painting. Good seats but not the best I’ve sat yet….
Afterward we found a Brazilian party in a library, live music and directions to return a few days later for the mask night of keys in a Bowl…and see who you end up with sort of night. Didn’t make it to that one.
The next couple days were spent with Chris and Micah as I-town crew plus more. Face painted with an American Flag and Fan Park, bar and all over. !!!The street were ALIVE and Vuvuzela beer bong was created…no participation from me as I still am not the beer drinker.