Showing posts with label Ethiopian dancing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ethiopian dancing. Show all posts

Saturday, March 30, 2013

play dates in Addis


There is a huge crew of amazing expat moms in Addis.  Tons of families with young children.  Maybe even more moms than in Manila, which is hard to believe because there was something about the water in Manila.  Everyone was pregnant or carrying around a newborn (including me).  Maybe because Addis is so much smaller it just feels like the place is teeming with expat kids and their Mamas!

Anyway, the moms here are super active and always have something planned for kids.  I received an email of a list of activities/play dates/outings scheduled for every day during Spring Break.  It was amazing and dizzying.  There isn't a whole lot for children to do in Addis, but I swear these moms who plan these things find every thing there is.

After a whirl wind of visits and bakery orders for me the last few weeks; the girls and I laid low this week We decorated for Easter and hosted our own play date with close friends we needed to catch up with.  In a lot of ways Addie, Bella and Ashlynn have a life long play date all day every day in our house so I very rarely feel the need to take them other places to play.  They play wonderfully together.

Friday, I decided to take the girls to the planned play date because it was just too cool of an activity to pass up.  The entire morning was scheduled for a traditional Ethiopian meal (all homemade by all the ladies' personal cooks) and a troupe of teen Ethiopian dancers were coming to dance with the kids.

True to third world form, the music was way too loud so most of the kids, including Arabella, ran for the other side of the compound every time the dancers came out to perform.  But I loved it!  The kids were so dynamic and wore the brightest colors!  Seriously cool play date.  Another reason to love Ethiopia!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Yod Abyssinia-spectacular Ethiopian dancing




Yod Abyssinia is the cultural restaurant in Addis Ababa.  There are two; one on each side of the city.  It's where all the tourists and business people go for traditional food, drink, atmosphere and dancing while visiting Ethiopia.  I beg Justin to take me because I crave injera and shiro so I couldn't wait to take Megan for dinner one night.  Justin, Meg and I left the girls home with Eneye and drove the short distance to Yod for a grown-up dinner.  We stuffed ourselves with shiro and tibs and were amazed by the dancing.  It's truly spectacular and I don't think you can really get an understanding of the pride Ethiopians have in their culture until you see them dancing in all their finery.
Incense is burned with the coffee ceremony after a meal.  Popcorn is served