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The morning we drove to Harar the goats on the road seemed unusually docile and not particularly eager to move out of the way. Our guide, only half joking, suggested that they had probably been chewing khat (chat) with their owners the night before. Once this area was known for its exceptional coffee--now the fields are khat, khat and more khat. Khat is an extremely lucrative export. Although this highly addictive chew is banned in Canada, it is part of the culture of Harar. We stayed in a cultural guest house inside the walled city. In 2003 Harar was awarded a Unesco Peace Prize as the Orthodox and Muslim communities within the wall continue to live in peace. All the cool cultural stuff aside, my favourite thing was feeding the hyenas (with the help of the hyena man) just outside the city wall. The sly "little" fellow gobbled up that camel meat! Feeling Blessed. Love Ethiopia. Love You. You are Always in My prayers.
We lost track of the number of overturned trucks and tankers we saw on or on the side of the road. Some fresh today--some had been there for a while. Our driver told us that malaria, HIV, and traffic accidents are the leading causes of death in Ethiopia.
Not the hottest place on earth--but we are actually pretty close. The sky is blacker than I have ever seen and the stars are beautiful. Camels shared our adventure along the roads as we snacked on boiled horse beans and roasted barley. Feeling Blessed. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom.
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Ray & Diane
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