Opening my mind, getting uncomfortable
As I leave for a 10-day journey along the uneven roads of southern Ethiopia, I’m about to go beyond anything I’ve ever done before. And that’s both scary and exciting.
August 5th, 2009 | by Anna KramerRight now, my world is neat and orderly. From the office to the gym to my apartment, from my favorite restaurants to the streets of my neighborhood, most of my day-to-day life is enclosed by places I know well. Places where I feel comfortable.
But starting with a 14-hour-long flight later this week—and culminating in a 10-day journey along the uneven roads of southern Ethiopia—life is about to get uncomfortable in a big hurry.
I’m about to go beyond anything I’ve ever done before. And that’s both scary and exciting.
This Friday, I’m heading out to Ethiopia, where I’ll join a crew of Oxfam colleagues who are capturing stories about our work on the ground via words, photos, audio, and film. (For a preview of one of those stories, check out my colleague Coco’s audio slideshow about Loko Dadacha.)
Don’t get me wrong–I’m extremely excited about the trip. It’s going to be an opportunity of a lifetime for me, a chance to see Oxfam’s work in Ethiopia up close in a way that few of us who work in the US get to do.
But unlike Coco, I don’t have much experience with this kind of travel to remote, mostly poor, very rural areas. So I keep checking items off the packing list that a colleague shared with me, doing everything I’m supposed to in order to prepare. I borrowed a mosquito net from one friend, a mini video camera from another. I searched the stores of Boston for a quick-dry towel and an international adapter, for protein bars and desert boots. My list of items to pack seems to get longer each day.
And then there’s the health stuff. With five vaccinations in my arms, three bottles of prescription medications, and an ever-expanding first aid kit, I feel armored with all that American medicine has to offer.
But still, deep down, I know I’m not totally ready.
When I confided this to my boss, she told me that inexperience isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes it can make you more open to new ideas and interactions; you notice things you wouldn’t have noticed before. Don’t try to be an expert, she said. Be a learner.
So here I go. I’m ready to learn. And if the technology allows, I’ll be writing more along the way, sharing what I learn with all of you as well.
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Anna Kramer
Writer Anna Kramer joined Oxfam America in 2005. Based in Boston, she covers a broad range of issues for Oxfam, with a focus on our campaigns and organizing work.
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If you felt ready, I’d be worried. Let’s be honest, it’ll be challenging; you’ll be hot, dirty, disoriented, unable to communicate at times, and a little lonely. But around all of that, you’ll be absorbing a ton of new experiences, meeting amazing people, feeling inspired by the work Oxfam and our partners do, and motivated to come back and tell beautiful stories. I’m so happy you’re going on this trip. Can’t wait to hear about it when you return.
I’m so excited for you! it is going to be a little scary, as the unknown always is, but every day is full of opportunities to learn more about yourself and the people around you. You’ll soak in so much life and culture you’ve only dreamed of, your going to do amazing things Anna :)
Thanks Andrea and Christiane for the words of encouragement! Always great to hear others’ thoughts… and yes, I will try to come back with some good stories to share.
As the adoptive parent of a child from the southern part of Ethiopia, I look forward to reading about your travels. It’s a spectacularly poor and yet beautiful region, one that unfortunately gets little attention. I was there a little over a year ago and the images will stay with me always, I am sure. Thank you for taking the trip, and enjoy!
It will be tough but fun, sad and joyous – a roller coaster of emotions – that will only motivate you more, if that’s even possible. Enjoy the trip Anna and eat lots of Njera
Hello Anna! I’m a bit late to this blog post, but I wish you all the best on your journey. I was in northwest Ethiopia earlier this year and the country stole my heart. The poverty can be heartbreaking, of course, but the spirit and dignity of the people is very inspiring. Do keep us updated, and take lots of photos if you can. (I have a few photos of my journey on my website, but they might take a while to download with Ethiopia’s often-sluggish internet connections!)
cheers, Robin