Unplugged in Ethiopia

​I just got back from an amazing two weeks in Ethiopia and Djibouti where I managed to stay disconnected from electronic devices for two weeks! No emails, text messages, Facebook or Twitter.   It was an amazing trip on so many levels– too much of an adventure to cover in a single blog post, but one of the things I appreciated most about the trip was that not only did it allow me an escape from being connected, it also allowed me an escape from the heavy consumer culture of Western Society.  One of the things I found surprising about Ethiopia was the absolute absence of American corporations…not even a McDonalds or a Starbucks anywhere.  It was refreshing to go to cafes in Addis Ababa and see people engrossed in real conversation over a macchiato instead of a table of people all texting that is so common at restaurants here in the U.S.   No big mega malls or Walmart.   Even when you went to stores or to markets, there wasn’t the pressure to buy that is so common even in many other third world countries.   Although everyone has a cell phone, they use them for just that…as a phone.  Far less texting and all the other varied tasks we use our smart phones for in the western world.  Yet the access to connectivity was incredible.  We went to some of the most remote places in Ethiopia and were amazed to see that our guide had reception everywhere!  I had heard that cell phone usage and coverage in Africa far exceeded that in the United States…now I believe it!  It was neat as well to see solar power being used in innovative ways in the most remote places such as to power a water well.  Yet the most pervasive symbol throughout the two countries were the bright yellow square containers used to get water from distant places.  And still throughout the country there was a sense of hope and optimism.  The economy is growing and people’s lives are improving and yet the Ethiopian people seem to hold on tightly to some of their most important birth rights–a strong sense of community, culture, and belief.  I was fortunate to get away, unplug and experience this other world and have come back to my world refreshed!   Here is a video of our trip: