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!”