That was me, about 20 years ago- the little girl in the header photograph. Taken sometime in the 80's, my parents were living in Nigeria at the time. Born in Mother Africa, we left sometime in the latter half of the 80's. Back to Denmark, back to Canada, I've spent the last 20 some years hopping between homes in Canada, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. On Wednesday Africa called, they want me back. Well "called" would imply that my phone rang, but in 2010, that's not always the case. A Skype chat with the Chief of Party for Mercy Corps in Ethiopia over a pot of tea at my desk on January 27, ended with me accepting an offer to work in Dire Dawa with the RAIN program for the next six months starting ASAP.
It is now 12:55 in the afternoon on Saturday. The past few days have been a whirl. Just after receiving the news, I went for a jog on the blizzardy streets of Copenhagen, still high on the news. It's January and winter has seriously hit Denmark this year. I thought I escaped all that when I moved from the east coast of Canada to Copenhagen four and a half years ago. But this year winter has shown her frosty face, and we've had our fair share of below zero temperatures and winter winds. Wrapped up in 4 layers of clothing with snow and wind whipping my face, I couldn't help think of the plus 30 degrees my weather widget showed me for Dire Dawa. Later on that evening, a dinner with some family was the perfect way to process the initial impact the news of a relocation of this nature had on me.
Thursday I made a list.
Things to do before Ethiopia
*find a subletter
*sort summer/winter clothes
*pack for storage
*thorough cleaning
*cancel gym membership
*cancel phone
*buy camel
*hair dye?
After a call my my dad, a living-in-Africa-expert, my list looked this this.
Things to do before Ethiopia
*find a subletter
*sort summer/winter clothes
*pack for storage
*thorough cleaning
*cancel gym membership
*cancel phone
*buy camel
*hair dye?
*register as ex-pat Dane
*find water purification tablets
*get hammer/screwdriver (he also joked about a staple gun, but I think I can do without)
*get a needle and thread
*mosquito repellent
*cutlery/pots/dishes? (he asked, how will you make food in your new house, are these things already there?)
*stock up on sunscreen
*get a big hat/learn to tie a turban
*books
*stock up on o.b.
*reusable toilet paper? (really, dad?)
At dinner with some good friends on Thursday night, she said, what about a visa? Hummm... good question, I hadn't even gotten that far. And after seeing a huge flashlight on a dresser at their place, I made a mental note to add flashlight to my list. Later that evening I divided my list into two: to do; to get. I'd already posted an advert for my room in a shared flat and was started lining up interviews for a subletter (to do: next Tuesday evening). I also emailed my doctor with a note something like this. Help! I'm moving to Ethiopia for six months on February 8, what vaccinations do I need? That night my mind was in overdrive, and the million and one questions and thoughts kept sleep at bay. When I finally did manage to fall as sleep, it seemed morning came too soon.
The first thing I did yesterday was check my email looking for a response from my Doctor. Miriam, please call the clinic as soon as possible. This is too complicated to deal with in an email consultation. So I called the clinic. Two hours later I was sitting in the waiting room. When it was my turn, I was shown into the lab room, where three healthcare professionals and myself looked up the required vaccinations for Ethiopia: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Meningitis A+C, Typhus. I left with a live virus vaccine for Yellow Fever in my left arm, Meningitis A+C in my right, and an appointment for Monday afternoon for two more vaccinations and to figure out which prophylactic Malaria medicine is best for a six months stint in Africa. Next Wednesday I can look forward to the last two. Then the race was on to get my visa application mailed registered/express post before the post office closed. If I'm scheduled to be leaving on February 8, a visa might be a good idea, but having to mail the application to the nearest embassy in Stockholm means it probably won't arrive for that deadline. But as soon as I know when to expect my passport with a multiple-entry business visa for Ethiopia back, the travel plans will be made.
Occasionally I moonlight at a cocktail bartender, and tonight happens to be one of those nights. Friday night was as well, making most of the following day a write-off so on my list of this to accomplish today, Saturday, is a first round sorting of winter and summer clothes. The plus 30 degree temperatures in Dire Dawa, mean that I won't be needing my winter jackets and such, but loose light clothing will be required. Now, I'd better get to it, with my slightly sore left arm.
