Another wonderful experience I had in Ethiopia was learning
to cook Ethiopian food from the cook at the volunteer guesthouse named Tattalou. When we had power, we cooked over a two-burner
electric cook top, and when we did not have power, we cooked traditionally over
the coals. I watched and chopped and
stirred my way into learning to cook many traditional Ethiopian dishes. She also invited me to her home to learn how
to cook Injera the traditional way over a fire.
Since she did not have electricity, this is the way she cooks everyday
at her home. I was extremely grateful
for the opportunity to learn how to cook traditional Ethiopian food. But most of all I was grateful for the
connection to her and the culture I was able to create through cooking. She spoke a handful of words in English, and
I spoke a handful of words in Amharic.
Yet people were astonished at the way we could communicate with each
other. The same thing happened in India
with Gouri. I think cooking itself
creates a common language among women who are willing to let it be what bonds
them. Cooking has long been women’s work
and the commonality of shared experience allows people to communicate. Chopping a tomato is the same whether you are
a woman in America, India, or Ethiopia.
And bonding over shared life experiences is a way of communicating. I think another key to understanding across
languages is patience and the desire to truly understand someone else’s
experience. What a gift…
Learning to cook Messir from Tattalou in the guesthouse kitchen. We did not have power that day, so we cooked over the coals.
Tattalou, the cook, and Lomi, the maid, enjoying some tea together.
At Tattalou's house :)
Learning to cook Injera the traditional way
Tattalou and I making Injera
Tattalou and Stephanos
Me looking very Habesha!
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