2014 Holidays in Ethiopia

First of all, I’d like to wish all of you Happy Holidays!

Now, I’d like to share my experience celebrating the holidays for the first time in another country without my immediate family:

Being a Peace Corps volunteer can be difficult and challenging during the holidays.  It can be challenging because you are away from your family, the country you are serving in may not recognize the holiday or celebrate the holiday at a different time, cultural differences, and even weather differences.  I have definitely missed being back home in the states with my family celebrating and there are times I get onto Facebook seeing pictures of Christmas trees and cookies and have different emotions go through me.

Despite missing home, it helps being able to talk with people via phone and video chat when possible.  It has also been great having other volunteers around for not only support but also to hang out and celebrate the holidays with me.

For Thanksgiving, there were about 60 of the 200+ volunteers in Ethiopia who were randomly picked to join U.S. Embassy families for dinner.  I was able to join an extremely nice couple and their two daughters along with two of my friends in my group of volunteers.  The two others volunteers and I were able to also meet some people who work for the Embassy and were able to enjoy a great meal.  The family who hosted us was amazing and it really felt like we were celebrating Thanksgiving back in the states.

Turkey!!!

Desserts!

Our host family was awesome!!

The day after Thanksgiving, my sitemates and I hosted another Thanksgiving where about 20 volunteers came and celebrated together.  I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit stressed and overwhelmed at tines… But it was a ton of fun.  It was a great group of volunteers hanging out together and we had chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, Mac & cheese, among other things.  So good and totally worth it.

For Christmas and New Years, I am not sure what will happen as of yet.  Sometimes as a Peace Corps volunteer, it can be hard and realistic to plan far in advance sometimes.  There are times in which you may do something at the last minute.  All I know is that I will do what I can do to celebrate and spend time with friends (other volunteers) around Christmas.

The downside to the Holiday season when living in another country as a Peace Corps volunteer is this:

You aren’t able to celebrate with your family and friends back in the states, you might get a little homesick, and you might miss decorations, Christmas trees, Christmas/Holiday music, and holiday foods and baked goods. 

The upside to the Holiday season when living in another country as a Peace Corps volunteer is this:

You get to experience celebrating the holidays within the context of a new country and celebrate some new holidays, celebrate with and be supportive of other friends/ Peace Corps volunteers, and create new fun traditions for the holidays.  Also, lots of care packages (maybe)!!!!!

*Also as a side note, if you’d like to send me a care package (especially because it is the holidays), here is my mailing address.  I don’t mind getting holiday care packages after Christmas if you want to send something but can’t get it sent out early enough.  It’s the thought that counts!!

Caitlin Rahn

P.O. Box 304

Woliso

Southwest Shoa Zone

Oromia Region

Ethiopia

Overall, it has been a good experience celebrating the holidays in Ethiopia (despite how much I have missed home at times).  I have been able to celebrate with other volunteers, share my traditions from the states with host country nationals, and learn so much about the culture and traditions of Ethiopia (and in what ways they are similar and different than the culture and traditions of the states).

Up to this point, that has been what the holidays have been like for me here in Ethiopia.  At times, it may be hard to celebrate the holidays here… but I have learned so much and this experience is really helping me to appreciate things in the sates so much more.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Ethiopia!

*If you have any specific questions about holidays, traditions, food, or any other aspects about the Ethiopian culture, please feel free to ask!  I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have.  This is definitely partly what my blog is about in addition to sharing my experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  Also, any questions may help in prompting a future blog post.