Mamie out, Grandmama in

Patricia's Mom left on Friday, after making an exhausting but rewarding trip to the north of Ethiopia with a Frenchie tour group. No, she wasn't abducted, she returned safe and sound and is back in France.

Speaking of which, the media attention on the kidnapping of the British diplomats in the Afar region is, in my opinion, completely overblown. It's an area that is known for banditry and is very close to the disputed border with Eritrea. The Ethiopian government prefers that groups going there be protected with armed guards. There are parts of the US or Europe I would not feel safe going to, and Afar has a reputation. If you don't want trouble, don't go there (of course I make no excuses for the perpetrators of these abductions).

Anyway, as with other unfortunate events, the media paints Ethiopia as a dangerous place, though only a very small number of people are effected personally by the original event; because of the press's lack of perspective, the entire country will suffer a huge financial loss when other tourists stay away. It's too bad, because on the whole the people are friendly, honest, easygoing, and nonviolent. As usual, a few bad apples spoil the bunch.

Anyway, my Mom and her gentleman-friend flew in Sunday (a day late due to an ice storm in Syberacuse), and are here for 3-1/2 weeks.

Clara celebrated her eighth birthday on Sunday as well - photos to come. She was very happy to receive her makeup kit, new PJ's, toy car, and magnetic tinker-type toys, among other presents. Gwendolyne is still young enough, at not-quite-six, to be jealous of her sister's birthday falling two months prior to hers.

Work is fine. I hosted three people from DC here on a project to computerize our Diplomatic Pouch system. It was a success all around, so that was a feather in my cap. Unfortunately I'm working late right now, but I take the good with the bad. We're still very happy here in Ethiopia and are all doing well. Drop a note and let us know what's new in your world!