After returning to Addis from Jimma, I had a day and a half to bum around. Before heading back to Haramaya, I had to go to the Immigration Office to get my residency card, so I scheduled an extra day to take care of that. When I first came to Ethiopia, I came on a business visa which was valid for 6 months. However, my contract here is 10 months, so I had to either apply for another visa or get a residency card. I opted for the latter because it entitles me to get local prices at hotels and on airfare (which just increased threefold recently).
I went to the Immigration Office in Addis early on Monday morning and had to sit in a long line. When I finally got to the front of the line, a lady looked at my papers and told me that I needed a photocopy of my passport and visa. Luckily, I was able to make photocopies in the Immigration Office complex. Next, I had to go wait in another line with my paperwork. This line took even longer because there was priority service for certain groups of people (the elderly, people with disabilities, and Ethiopian-born foreigners). When I got to the front of this line, a lady typed my information into a computer, took my photo, and voided the visa in my passport. Then, I had to go to ANOTHER line to pay for my residency card. After I paid, the man helping me wrote the time and date that I could pick up my residency card: the next day at 3pm. I told him that this wasn’t possible; my flight back to Dire Dawa was the next day at 4pm. He told me to go talk to the “boss lady” about my situation. So, I had to go back to the very first line I waited in earlier that morning. Eventually, I pushed my way to the front of the line (because there was no way I was waiting in the whole line just to ask her a simple question – the entire room was full of people waiting – probably over 100). She didn’t say anything to me, but simply wrote “URGENT” on the top of my paperwork and receipt. I assumed that was all I needed, so I took my edited receipt back to the man in the financial office. He saw the “URGENT” and wrote a new date and time: the same day at 4pm. I was relieved. I ended spending over three hours there which I thought was ridiculous, but apparently, I was very lucky. Most people end up leaving for lunch and coming back to wait in line again during the afternoon.
I went to the Immigration Office in Addis early on Monday morning and had to sit in a long line. When I finally got to the front of the line, a lady looked at my papers and told me that I needed a photocopy of my passport and visa. Luckily, I was able to make photocopies in the Immigration Office complex. Next, I had to go wait in another line with my paperwork. This line took even longer because there was priority service for certain groups of people (the elderly, people with disabilities, and Ethiopian-born foreigners). When I got to the front of this line, a lady typed my information into a computer, took my photo, and voided the visa in my passport. Then, I had to go to ANOTHER line to pay for my residency card. After I paid, the man helping me wrote the time and date that I could pick up my residency card: the next day at 3pm. I told him that this wasn’t possible; my flight back to Dire Dawa was the next day at 4pm. He told me to go talk to the “boss lady” about my situation. So, I had to go back to the very first line I waited in earlier that morning. Eventually, I pushed my way to the front of the line (because there was no way I was waiting in the whole line just to ask her a simple question – the entire room was full of people waiting – probably over 100). She didn’t say anything to me, but simply wrote “URGENT” on the top of my paperwork and receipt. I assumed that was all I needed, so I took my edited receipt back to the man in the financial office. He saw the “URGENT” and wrote a new date and time: the same day at 4pm. I was relieved. I ended spending over three hours there which I thought was ridiculous, but apparently, I was very lucky. Most people end up leaving for lunch and coming back to wait in line again during the afternoon.
I spent the afternoon at the U.S. Embassy. I ate lunch there in the cafeteria (Monday is Indian day, so I had basmati rice, curry, a samosa, and daal). It was my first time eating Indian food in months, so it was a welcome treat! After eating, I went to the embassy store that has imported American products. I felt like a little kid in a candy store (well, I pretty much was in a candy store, but I’m not so little anymore). I didn’t know when my next trip to Addis would be, so I stocked up and didn’t worry about the cost of the items. Most importantly, I picked up some items for a Thanksgiving dinner that Helen and I would be hosting at our apartment (gravy mix in a packet, canned cranberry, boxed stuffing mix, a pre-made pie crust, canned pumpkin, condensed milk). I also picked up a few other items that caught my eye (and stomach): a can of diet mountain dew, a bottle of Malibu, a bottle of Jim Beam, cream cheese, Colby Jack cheese, peanut butter M&M’s, a Mounds candy bar, a Dove chocolate bar, and some gummies. It was a bit like Christmas in mid-November!
I took all of my goodies and used the Wifi near the commons area. Before I knew it, it was time to head back to the Immigration Office to pick up my residency card. Of course, this meant waiting in another line! At least my efforts were fruitful this time – I got my residency card! Unfortunately, it’s probably the worst photo of me that’s ever been printed!
I took all of my goodies and used the Wifi near the commons area. Before I knew it, it was time to head back to the Immigration Office to pick up my residency card. Of course, this meant waiting in another line! At least my efforts were fruitful this time – I got my residency card! Unfortunately, it’s probably the worst photo of me that’s ever been printed!
After collecting my card, Semira and I joined Tahra and her family for dinner at a Korean restaurant. I was so lucky to have eaten Indian food for lunch...I felt like such a glutton to be eating more delicious food for dinner. I didn’t know when I’d have the chance to eat Korean food again, so I took in as much as my belly could handle! Tahra and her husband adopted twin boys when they were living in China – their names are Thomas and Rory and they were so much fun to be around! We ate some Korean vegetable pancakes (pajeon), soybean soup (doenjang jjigae), kimchi, sweet potato noodles with veggies (japjae), marinated beef (bulgogi), bibimbap, fried rice, and of course many side dishes! I am so thankful to have such wonderful embassy staff to work with.
Once I returned to Haramaya, there was much to be done. Luckily, most of my classes had been covered by other teachers, but I still had a lot of grading and other preparations to do. I got back on Tuesday night and started teaching again on Wednesday. That Thursday was the American Thanksgiving holiday. In honor of the holiday and because it was Sid and Dan’s last night at Haramaya, we had a small celebration. For various reasons, Sid and Dan were headed back to Canada a little bit earlier than planned. Before leaving, however, they graciously hosted Helen, Mark, and I at the guesthouse for homemade beef stew, rice, lentils, bread, and a cucumber/tomato/beet salad. It was so nice to share one last meal together and reminisce about our short time together at Haramaya.
Once I returned to Haramaya, there was much to be done. Luckily, most of my classes had been covered by other teachers, but I still had a lot of grading and other preparations to do. I got back on Tuesday night and started teaching again on Wednesday. That Thursday was the American Thanksgiving holiday. In honor of the holiday and because it was Sid and Dan’s last night at Haramaya, we had a small celebration. For various reasons, Sid and Dan were headed back to Canada a little bit earlier than planned. Before leaving, however, they graciously hosted Helen, Mark, and I at the guesthouse for homemade beef stew, rice, lentils, bread, and a cucumber/tomato/beet salad. It was so nice to share one last meal together and reminisce about our short time together at Haramaya.
Later that week, on Saturday, Helen and I hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Since a pumpkin pie is usually cut into 8 pieces and I only had enough ingredients to make one pie, we decided to invite 6 guests (plus the two of us). We had a very international Thanksgiving; I was the only American, Helen was the only Brit, Mark was the lone Ugandan, Moffat was the sole Zambian, Olivier was the only Burundian, and Andarge and Solomon were our two local, Ethiopian guests. Unfortunately, our Kenyan friend, Liambila, was not able to join us. Before eating, I briefly told the story of Thanksgiving’s history. We also went around the table and each took a moment to say what we were thankful for. It really was a special time to share together...and the food was amazing!!! After dinner, we played a game of Scrabble which got very competitive.
Despite being so far from home, friends, and family, I had a most enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. It felt good to share my culture and traditions with so many different people. As a “modern” American, I feel like I don’t really have that many traditions. I am so far removed from my European ancestors: I don’t speak Polish or German and I don’t feel culturally attached to any of my heritage groups. However, if I had to choose events or traditions which represented my American values, Thanksgiving would definitely be at the top of the list (i.e. food, family, volunteering, togetherness, etc.). So, I’m thankful that I could share an important part of myself with my new friends, but I look forward to being with “old” friends and family for future Thanksgivings.
Despite being so far from home, friends, and family, I had a most enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. It felt good to share my culture and traditions with so many different people. As a “modern” American, I feel like I don’t really have that many traditions. I am so far removed from my European ancestors: I don’t speak Polish or German and I don’t feel culturally attached to any of my heritage groups. However, if I had to choose events or traditions which represented my American values, Thanksgiving would definitely be at the top of the list (i.e. food, family, volunteering, togetherness, etc.). So, I’m thankful that I could share an important part of myself with my new friends, but I look forward to being with “old” friends and family for future Thanksgivings.