I was working on a Billboard sign with the most extreme analogy. The more intrusive and interactive the concept the more likely the audience will view it. Continue reading ‘Addis Billboards’
Published by October 19th, 2006 in Design.Archive Page 88
My sister spent a bit of time in Ethiopia and Senegal in the past year. As I know my sister pretty well, her favorite past time is going to the market place and bargaining for items. In Africa there is no such thing as the set price. The act of bartering lives on. I was told multilateral bartering is common occurrence within Addis Ababa NegaDes.
My sister claimed in her long emails that the market place in Dakar is more hectic than an Abesha club on Saturday Nights. A fool and his money are parted easily. The first price is never the right price, 100% markup is more like it.
Outrageous markups are not limited to Dakar’s market place; I dregdge up going shopping for a Beg (sheep, lamb or whatever you call it) with my grandfather in Addis.You start at 160 birr and end up 60 birr as final price. Ya ya, I know that was a long time ago, now the beg cost an arm and two legs. I recall the Beg special on African Market last Ethiopian Christmas, you pay a 120$ American and they will deliver a live Beg to your families’ home in any major city of Ethiopia. Continue reading ‘Sold In Merkato!’
Published by October 18th, 2006 in Bernos, Design and Shameless Plug.
If there is one question I hate most in this world it is that! However, I despise the question only when it’s coming from an Ethiopian. At fist glace you might think I’m being extreme, but bear with me let me explain why.
I came to the states when I was eight. I’ve spent more of my life here than Ethiopia. When I initially came to the states there were not that many Ethiopians; now it’s a completely different story. I’m young for those with my educational background, but that’s only attributed to the fact I skipped a couple of grades. Besides I knew at least three or four other Indians who were sixteen years old freshmen in college, therefore it's not that big of a deal. Continue reading ‘how old are you?’
Published by October 17th, 2006 in Current Issues.
Right out of high school, many moons ago, I joined a group of my friends on a trip to the wonderful city of Carmel, California with white sand beaches and beautiful homes for a relaxing time – so I thought. Who knew such a wonderfully planned trip could turn disastrous because of AN honesty ISSUE!
The hotel was booked, the car was packed and the five of us were prepared for anything on the 3-hour drive to Carmel. After the car overheated and delayed the trip, the driver came up with a brilliant idea of playing truth or dare. Hmmmm in the car, while driving, is not the best time to be dared for anything.
Let the games begin….everyone was sworn in to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help us God. We decided to go clockwise beginning with the driver and at first, I must admit, it was a lot of fun because almost everyone was going for the truth. The questions were about who they really liked and their first true love – no harm in that right? Then a brilliant mind decided to position the question so that it’s about another person in the car. Continue reading ‘The thin __ b/n honesty & deceit’
Published by October 15th, 2006 in Dating.
Here is a common scenario that always keeps me wondering. In a place away from Ethiopia, when you meet any Habesha randomly on some street, there are a set of questions that are always the ice breakers. Maybe it's because I've been away a while but I find that they are one too many Qs for icebreakers…
"Eshiiiiii sint gize honesh kemetash?", “Abat ena Enatesh Abrewish nachew? " "Eyetemarsh new weyes eyeserash?" depending on the answers given, even " Sint ametesh new?" makes the list. Ye' Addis Abeba lij nesh? Ye'Bole lij nesh?….where I'm concerned, they're a little too many irrelevant Qs for a stranger to be asking. Hell, what's with the 20 questions? Continue reading ‘Teyake….rather, 20 Qs!’
Published by October 15th, 2006 in Social.
