Did You Know? - Session 2

So now that we know we travel the beginning of March there will be no more news until Feb. 1. We should have final details after the court date.

I told you last time that I would tell you more about the climate, land & animals. Here is what I know.

THE LAND
Ethiopia is 437,794 Square miles. Eritrea and Djibouti lie along the country's north border. Kenya is to the South. Somalia is to the East and Sudan to the west. The country is a large Plateau. It is often called the roof of Africa. There is very little plant life. The highlands are dry and the lowlands contain desert. There are several major rivers. The Genale, Wabe Shebele, Blue Nile, Awash, & Omo.

THE CLIMATE
The lowlands in Ethiopia have an average temperatur of 82 degrees F. The highlands in the southwestern part are cooler with an average temp of 61.

THE ANIMALS
The lowlands have many different types of animals. They have wild pigs and dogs, antelopes, monkeys. They also have Walia ibex which is a type of Mountain goat. The Simien fox is also found in Ethiopia. The Walia Ibex and the Simien fox are both endangered.

THE LANGUAGE
Amharic is the common language. English is taught in the schools. Again many people can not read or write either language.

Some vocabulary for today:

ta.di.yass = Hello (informal)
chow! = bye/see ya
deu-na wal = Have A Nice Day ( to a male)
deu-na wai = Have a Nice Day (to a female)
e.weud.de.hal.lo = I love you (to a male) (the e's here are actually upside down, computer doesn't do that easily.)
e.weud.de.shal.lo = I love you (to a female)

Resources: Welcome to Ethiopia by: Gareth Stevens & Ethiopian Amharic Phrasebook by: Tilahun Kebede

I will keep you posted as I learn more about Ethiopia and it's people.

Have a great night.
All our love,
Rick & Mandi