2007.02.22: February 22, 2007: Headlines: COS - Ethiopia: Return to our Country of Service - Ethiopia: Battle Creek Enquirer: Ethiopia RPCV John Grap writes: Thirty-four years ago, in 1973, the Watergate hearings were big news, the Vietnam war was raging, Paul Simon was singing about "Kodachrome" and I joined the Peace Corps
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2007.02.22: February 22, 2007: Headlines: COS - Ethiopia: Return to our Country of Service - Ethiopia: Battle Creek Enquirer: Ethiopia RPCV John Grap writes: Thirty-four years ago, in 1973, the Watergate hearings were big news, the Vietnam war was raging, Paul Simon was singing about "Kodachrome" and I joined the Peace Corps
Ethiopia RPCV John Grap writes: Thirty-four years ago, in 1973, the Watergate hearings were big news, the Vietnam war was raging, Paul Simon was singing about "Kodachrome" and I joined the Peace Corps
During an intense three-month training program, I learned about Ethiopia's rich historical and cultural heritage, which goes back thousands of years. During the training I learned how to speak Amharic, one of the main languages, which is related to both Arabic and Hebrew. Over the next three-and-a half years, while living and teaching school in two small Ethiopian towns, I got to know the people and their culture very well. I became a part of several families. There was no electricity or running water in these two towns, and no McDonald's either. While cultivating a taste for the fiery hot Ethiopian cuisine, I dropped about 40 pounds. Life in rural Ethiopia was tough at first, but I got used to it. Flash forward to the present. Starting today, I will accompany a team associated with St. Louis-based International Crisis Aid on a nine-day medical mission to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia RPCV John Grap writes: Thirty-four years ago, in 1973, the Watergate hearings were big news, the Vietnam war was raging, Paul Simon was singing about "Kodachrome" and I joined the Peace Corps
Out of Battle Creek and into Africa
John Grap
The Enquirer
Thirty-four years ago, in 1973, the Watergate hearings were big news, the Vietnam war was raging, Paul Simon was singing about "Kodachrome" and I joined the Peace Corps.
At the time, my parents really were not excited about the idea, especially my father. He wanted me to get a real job. As a 24-year-old college graduate, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I did know I was ready for adventure.
When my acceptance letter arrived in the mail inviting me to be a teacher in Ethiopia, the first thing I asked myself was, "Where's that?"
From an encyclopedia, I discovered that Ethiopia is located in the horn of Africa, in the northeastern part of the continent. Its population (now) consists of 70 million people from dozens of ethnic groups, each speaking its own language.
During an intense three-month training program, I learned about Ethiopia's rich historical and cultural heritage, which goes back thousands of years.
Christianity came to the country almost 1,800 years ago.
Also, during the training I learned how to speak Amharic, one of the main languages, which is related to both Arabic and Hebrew.
Over the next three-and-a half years, while living and teaching school in two small Ethiopian towns, I got to know the people and their culture very well. I became a part of several families.
There was no electricity or running water in these two towns, and no McDonald's either.
While cultivating a taste for the fiery hot Ethiopian cuisine, I dropped about 40 pounds. Life in rural Ethiopia was tough at first, but I got used to it.
Flash forward to the present. Starting today, I will accompany a team associated with St. Louis-based International Crisis Aid on a nine-day medical mission to Ethiopia.
During the trip, I will chronicle the work of volunteers from Victory Church in Pevely, Mo., who will be working with Ethiopian counterparts providing medical and food assistance to people in rural parts of the country.
I will get reacquainted with the country and will provide you my impressions about what's changed and what hasn't.
I hope to provide you with glimpses of life in the capital city, Addis Ababa, and of life in a few towns and villages.
Stay tuned.
John Grap is the Enquirer's photo editor. He can be reached at 966-0598 or jgrap@battlecr.gannett.com.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: February, 2007; Peace Corps Ethiopia; Directory of Ethiopia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Ethiopia RPCVs; Return to our Country of Service - Ethiopia
When this story was posted in April 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: Battle Creek Enquirer
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Ethiopia; Return to our Country of Service - Ethiopia
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