4th week, arrived!

Now I've been here for a month! It's crazy how quickly time flies, a third of the internship is already over. But maybe I'll be able to stay a few more months longer thanks to Corona, who knows..? Today, the first case of Corona was also announced in Ethiopia. A shock for all the Ethiopians I know. This morning, I made a not-so-serious bet with an Ethiopian colleague for 2000 euros that by next week at the latest, the first person in Ethiopia will be identified with Corona. She and everyone else in the room were 100% convinced that this would not be the case...

Nevertheless, I still feel safe and comfortable. By now, I am more successful in my work and I know almost all the clients by name. In some cases, I feel like I am being taken too seriously as a professional. Some clients feel that the simplest exercise or the most mundane tip from me is the solution to their problems. This boosts my self-confidence, but it is not proportional. In addition to working in physiotherapy, I have been taking care of Simba, the puppy, whom Fetle, the cook of Addis Guzo, found on the street and adopted (he is now at her house).

This week, the weekly meeting on Thursday afternoon was canceled due to sewing work. We had to finish a major order from the UN. Many employees, including myself, helped to sew, repair, count, and pack the last bags. For this order, some special fabric and sewing supplies had to be procured at the Mercato, the largest market in Africa. I was allowed to go along, it was exciting! The 'Tailor-Crew' was in a huge rush, and the relief when all 600 bags were finished was enormous. There was singing and cheering. Today, the successful completion was celebrated with a coffee ceremony during lunch.

Other than that, this week I went to Sabahar one evening after work, a very interesting place. Here, fabrics made of cotton and silk are handcrafted, dyed with natural dyes, and sold. Everything is fair trade and made in Ethiopia. I enjoyed a little tour and was particularly fascinated by the quite disgusting silk worms.

Today, I went to work by bike for the first time, it was also the first time cycling in Ethiopia in general. It was good! Although the biggest challenge was not the traffic but inhaling polluted air. The ride took about 25 minutes and went straight through the hilly city center.