The Journey

Today we went to the "Africa Unite!" Bob Marley Birthday celebration in the center of Addis Ababa! It was crazy! 30,000 people there! A huge outdoor event! Picture this: thousands upon thousands of people weaving in and out of stone-step benches. Ethiopian flag colors are everywhere... braided in hair, sported as scarves, hats, shirts, and even pants...painted on chests, seen on flags held in sweaty palms. Dry heat mixed with radiating sunshine....sweat on your face. Not very humid...but just plain white sun rays draped over everything and everyone. Anticipation hovers like a mist...encircling and settling. Occasionally you see a white person or two or three...usually together in clusters ...but almost always with a hippy-like (may not have showered recently in order to experience Africa) flare. The music starts. They open the gates out in front...hundreds flood the area right at the foreground of the stage. We join this group later..but after the chaos subsides. Very interesting! Great music! Angelique Kidjo performed!!!

Jess