In America it is considered rude to tell someone they are fat or that they have put on some weight. In Ethiopia they play by a whole different set of social rules. Not only is it socially acceptable to comment on someone’s weight, but carrying a few extra pounds is also proof of your financial stability.
During our last few months in the states, we were eating like royalty. From bacon cheeseburgers to mochas to Baskin Robbins ice cream – if it sounded scrumptious we ate it without thinking about the consequences. We kept telling ourselves that soon we would not be able to eat or drink things like Dr. Pepper whenever we wanted. As a result, both of us came to Ethiopia a little on the plump side.
After 2 months of living at Langano, our Ethiopian teammates are now telling us ”You are losing all of your weight. Eat!!!” I keep assuring them that eating is not the problem :) While we are eating differently then we would in the US, we are still eating some great American comfort foods. Yesterday our teammates made mango crisp and homemade ice cream. Today Bryan fried up some doughnuts and we spread Nutella on top of them and the camp cook made cake at two different times today! Amazingly Bryan has lost 25 lbs and I have dropped 10 lbs.
Also Bryan says, “If you are worried about him withering away into nothing, you should mail us some Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Chunk brownie mix – available at your local Costco.” :)
During our last few months in the states, we were eating like royalty. From bacon cheeseburgers to mochas to Baskin Robbins ice cream – if it sounded scrumptious we ate it without thinking about the consequences. We kept telling ourselves that soon we would not be able to eat or drink things like Dr. Pepper whenever we wanted. As a result, both of us came to Ethiopia a little on the plump side.
After 2 months of living at Langano, our Ethiopian teammates are now telling us ”You are losing all of your weight. Eat!!!” I keep assuring them that eating is not the problem :) While we are eating differently then we would in the US, we are still eating some great American comfort foods. Yesterday our teammates made mango crisp and homemade ice cream. Today Bryan fried up some doughnuts and we spread Nutella on top of them and the camp cook made cake at two different times today! Amazingly Bryan has lost 25 lbs and I have dropped 10 lbs.
Also Bryan says, “If you are worried about him withering away into nothing, you should mail us some Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Chunk brownie mix – available at your local Costco.” :)
