conversation and birthdays

Conversations

On Tuesday, April 8, 2014 I realized I don’t have real conversations. I don’t know how to any more. Most of my conversations exist of “Are you fine?”, “I am fine”, “how is work?”, I am good”, “how is your family?”, “how is your friend?”. I don’t remember how to hold a conversation. I need help. How do I have a conversation with someone who speaks very little English and I spend very little Amharic? I don’t remember what is part of a conversation. Are there parts? What makes a good conversation good or bad?

Birthday parties

Last night, April 10, 2014, my compound family (landlord and his family) celebrated their oldest child’s birthday. Now birthdays are a bit different here. During PST I celebrated with my host family my youngest brother’s birthday, Micky. Last night I was invited by the worker girl to come drink coffee. I didn’t realize it was Samuel’s birthday until I sat down and saw he was dressed up. I mean a silk, silver, pinstripe suit. He looked handsome. Then his father told me it was his birthday. Next thing I know my landlady brought me a plate with bread, popcorn and kolo (roasted grains). I was told to eat. Shortly afterwards a few other people came and everyone began talking. The adults were given Tela (a local beer/sort of) and the men were also given Arake (similar to moonshine). The night continued like this for about an hour. In the process I was given three sinis (cups) of coffee. It wasn’t until almost the end of the night that Samuel asked for bread and tea. Otherwise he just ate the kolo and goofed off like a normal boy. There were printed signs saying it was his birthday and how old he was. Birthdays just aren’t the same here.