Day one of our two-day Communication short course is in the books, and I think went pretty well.
We had about 25 people who came from all areas of the university, they seemed both engaged in and enthusiastic about our topics—which included how and why we communicate, the different forms communication can take, and the ways in which communication can be impacted by external factors.
Our session lasted about 90 minutes before a tea and cake break, and we resumed anther 90 minutes before calling it a day with a “homework” assignment:
- To report back what media our Ethiopian friends consume and how they consume it.
We are all fascinated to learn consumption habits in a city where Internet is scarce and smart phones are still rare.
Once clear example of that was during our course time, where everyone sat and listened—no fiddling on phones, checking email, surfing the web.
As much as I encourage tech in the class, it was refreshing to have an audience so engaged–not worried about something external, to watch the questions and realizations form on their faces, to make eye contact with each one.
View from the Goha Hotel (from TripAdvisor).
After lunch at the Goha Hotel, where were treated to the loudest and most drenching rain we have ever seen—complimented by one-quarter inch balls of hail—we met with the veterinary students who will help us this week with our focus groups on rabies messages. We went over our posters and messages, and are excited to collect data on whether our messages work—or not.
When I was in Ethiopia last year, we spent just two days in Gondar, and I am overjoyed we are getting to immerse in the environment and culture here. Yesterday we walked the streets during the day and into the evening when we had dinner at a local pizza restaurant.
It is clear the people work hard, but they also know how to rest and relax in ways few Americans do. It’s amazing still to watch people just “be”—quietly sitting without a phone or device or even book in their hand.
They are present with their friends and family in a way few of us can imagine.
I hope to emulate it when I return home but fear my life treadmill will quickly ramp up to a sprinting pace. My goal when I return is to channel my Ethiopian friends and, at least for a little while, learn to just “be.”
For the past few months, I have had a good experience with magic mushrooms from the old days, but things are really much better and of higher quality now. You can just see for yourself psilocybin mushroom tea by going to this great online store thirdshroom.com/product-category/magic-mushroom-tea/. Everything is very cool to say the least, but you have to know the laws of your state if you want to buy what you like or need.