Locked in the Supermarket

Many stores around here are catching up on the digital age. They are
beginning to use computers to keep track of all the transactions. It
makes checking out go a LOT faster as the cashier does not have to
write down every singe item. (It's kind of ridiculous when you are
checking out at a grocery store and they are writing down 50 different
items.) Anyways...while computers bring a lot of benefits...there is
one BIG drawback....they depend on electricity. AND here in
Ethiopia...one cannot depend on power to be flowing 24/7...or even
during business hours.

So the other day when I was shopping, all of a sudden the power went
out. Luckily I already had everything I needed (only 2 things this
time) so I went over to the cashier to head out. She pointed to the
computer and said she couldn't take my money. I was thinking, "Cant we
just do this the old fashioned way." Nope. After waiting for a bit,
I decided the 2 items weren't worth the wait, so I but them down and
headed out the store empty-handed. I got to the door...and
lo-and-behold....they wouldn't let me leave! I had to wait for the
power to go back on! Maybe they were thinking that when the power is
out...it's easy to hide things in my pockets and walk out? Or maybe
they don't want to lose the customers so they force them to stay in?
I really don't know? Praise the Lord....the power was only off for
few more minutes. And..they did get my business in the end.

Our New 'Hood....

So a couple days ago we moved into our new semi-permanent house (the
one we'll live in for the next year or two). We're really excited
about this new pad. It's right near the heart of a large Som
community, the people we have grown to love as we have taught many of
them English back in the states. It's also just a couple minutes from
Bole Road, the new "up-and-coming" area with many Western style
restaurants and shops. There is also a Walmart-ish type of
supermarket...which over here is a huge blessing as it will cut down
on a lot of our time shopping for things. But don't be fooled...it's
still probably only the 1/20th the size of a walmart.

I think we have already discovered our favorite little hangout. It's a
coffee shop called La Perisienne. They are trying to model a European
coffee shop...and are doing a pretty good job at it. I usually get a
macchiato and chocolate crossoint. In fact i just finished that...as
I am typing this from La Perisienne.

Anyways...we're at our new pad and loving it. We're now slowly filling
it up with furniture! 2 Days ago, the big task was getting an oven
and fridge. Yesterday was getting stuff for the living room.
Today..we'll I'm catching up on emails.