50 Things I Have Learned In PST

It is possible to have a favorite shint bet

Americans never fill up their glasses all the way

It is possible to have a favorite level of GI distress

Americans say “Bless You”, “Excuse Me”, and most of all “Thank You” all the time

Ethiopians don’t sleep

“I’m Full” does not exist in Ethiopia

There was probably a sequel made to your least favorite movie and they show it on Ethiopian TV

There are places that exist with no internet, phone service, or post office- only hope

No sometimes means maybe

Flipcharts are Peace Corps favorite tool

There are a lot more holidays than I ever thought possible- and school gets cancelled for them all

Always carry your umbrella

No can also mean more

Every fart is a gamble

If it’s fasting don’t even think about finding meat anywhere

There is no such thing as a quick “Hello”

The real reason for having to be home by sundown: hyenas

Avoid bajajs, because they will not avoid you

Throwing rocks at monkeys who climb on the roof to steal fruit is a completely normal thing

When in doubt, the answer probably has something to do with God

Kids don’t notice if you actually fist bump them or just pretend- their reactions are the same

You spend more time with your LCFs and language groups than you did with anyone back home

Learning charades because a necessity

Beer, soda, and water are about the same price

It is possible to eat an entire bag of kolo in one sitting, and it will probably happen

The best juice is made from random fruits thrown together

No need to do the ice bucket challenge- just come take a shower in Ethiopia

It’s completely normal to not receive text messages until days later

You begin to miss food you didn’t even like at home

You can have an entire conversation with fellow Americans here without using proper English or full words/sentences, and it’s completely understood

If a group of kids comes towards you singing, be very afraid, unless it’s Ashenda

There is no such thing as TMI after a few days in Peace Corps

There is no such thing as too much coffee or sugar

Oil is the most commonly used cooking ingredient

If you don’t like injira, good luck

If you see chickens or a goat in someones compound, chances are it’s going to be next weeks dinner

Laundry is an arm workout more intense than cross fit

Trash magically disappears

Fresh, hot injira is the best kind

Sending letters requires a high score in Tetris to fit all the stamps on

Good luck telling the date and time

The power is off more than it’s on, a flashlight is your best friend (and headlamps are the coolest invention ever)

Ignoring people on the street can have the opposite effect- they will continue saying “Hi” and “What is your name?” until you are out of earshot

You get really good at counting off and making skits in large group sessions

There are Ethiopia versions of all the worst American TV shows

Seeing people screaming and being healed on TV exorcism style is an everyday occurrence

It is possible to dance traditionally to American rap music

Watching Ethiopians try to paddle a canoe is like watching a baby learn to walk- they are wobbly at first but once they get it, you can’t stop them

Getting out of bed once the mosquito net is tucked in is the worst and most inconvenient

Whenever you get something down that a local would do, it’s a compliment to hear “You are so habasha!”

Wish List

Here is my “Wish List” of things that I would either like to have here, or things that remind me of home.

My mom has had success sending me packages, so if you need tips or help sending packages, she would be the best person to ask.

Of course, these are just things that I have thought of. But I am always up for receiving things that aren’t on this list ;) Packages can be expensive, so if people want to pair up to send things that’s fine too. My mom said that different packages cost different things, but most cost between $40-$80. So if a group of people want to pair up, that would be better. My birthday is October 13: just a little reminder :)

These might seem like random things, but these are things that I either need or want over here that we either can’t get here or that are expensive, but that will send well. For example: there is no cheese stuff over here, but sending “real” cheese products in the mail won’t work- however mac and cheese packets and Velveeta will send (we have plenty of noodles, so I don’t need those.)

FOOD:

-    Rice krispy treats

-    Brown super poptarts

-    Mac and cheese packets

-    Nutter butters

-    Sadie’s pecan cookies

-    Ranch/BBQ packets

-    Triscuits

-    Reese’s

-    Pringles

-    Gold fish

-    Instant breakfast stuff (that I can mix with water)

-    Water flavor packets

-    Hot chocolate mix

-    Velveeta

-    Bacon bits (actually- anything with bacon)

RANDOM:

-    Toms (or knock offs)

-    Stuffed animal

-    World map (to use in my classroom or to hang in my room)

-    US map (to hang in my room)

-    Coloring books

-    Watch

-    Hand sanitizer (the small, portable ones)

-    Burt’s bees

-    NM/US/Chi O/Lobo stickers to decorate my water bottle and other things

-    Grammar book (with rules)

-    Ziploc bags

-    Tacks

As much as I would love this stuff though, I want pictures and letters more than anything. You can type the letters, they don’t have to be hand written or anything, but reading notes from home is what gets me through the hard days and nights.

If you send me a package or letter, I can’t guarantee it, but I will try and send a letter back J I love receiving mail. I know it’s expensive, and not everyone can send things. But I love knowing I’m being thought of.

Thanks! I will post an updated list once I get to site and start to think of more things I am missing or need.