Our friends

Erica and I are still in Lallibella as we somehow wound up planning an inordinate amount of time to spend here. Luckily, this is a fantastic place to spend a few days. The town has about 8,000 residents, beautiful scenery and some of the nicest people in the world. We feel like we've had a chance to get to know the sounds and smells and kids of the town and have really enjoyed the chance to make real connections.

Everyone is quick to tell us that times are changing, more girls are going to school, and the government is prioritizing college entrance for women, but most of our interactions are still with local men. Ethiopian men - or at least the ones we have encountered here - are industrious, persistant, gallant, funny, cute and incorrigible flirts. Our 28 year old guide impressed us with his knowledge of local history and patience with tourists dumb questions and made sure we were treated well and served first at local establishments and even offered to come shopping with us to ensure we wouldn't be given unfair prices. A 10 year old boy led the way to the monastery at the top of a mountain, taking our hands to help us up steep inclines and looking back with concern, racing to our side any time it sounded like we were losing purchase. The 40-something hotel owner stays up til all hours talking with us about life in Ethiopia and his travels abroad, checking to see that we slept well the night before. The boys at the corner ask us every morning if they can shine our shoes and when we say no (then no, no, no, no thank you) they ask if we might reconsider tomorrow.

We've really had a good time, but I have to admit it takes a little of the fun out of flirting when you realize that half the guys are interested in moving to America as your husband or son!