TDY heaven: Ethiopia, Katie, Meow.

I was going to start this post off with an apology - "so sorry to my bloggership that I haven't written in months" - but then I realized that maybe this blog isn't as much an online diary, but more of forum for exceptional events only.  I think this will set all expectations equally between my dear readers and myself.

With that noted, this post will not let you down.  Why?  Well, three words really: Katie, Ethiopia, Lion.  I traveled to Ethiopia for work which was no hardship.  Not only because the work itself was great (learned a lot), but because I larveeee my friend Katie who lives in Addis AND I love Ethiopian food.  

So the first night I got there was actually my birthday (wicked!) and Katie made it very special with a traditional night out.  While the food was amazing, it sort of looked like turds (hence, the "turdy-second birthday" phrase that Katie and I laughed about for days - seriously, days, even typing it now I'm laughing):

Katie was an amazing host - she told me all of the great spots to go and my favorite, by far, was this coffee shop in the city.  I kid you not dear reader, this was the best coffee I've ever had in my entire life.

And just when I thought it couldn't get better, check out the back wall:

Meow.

The next night we went out, Katie showed me something that tested every bone of strength I had in my body.  A little context: Andrew says that we have no more space for art - especially cat art - and no more bringing stuff home from Africa.  With that in mind, imagine the strength it took not to buy one of these amazing paintings (part of a larger "donkey and minibus" oil painting study):

This is the one I wanted the most.  But in addition to the stern warning from Andrew, the price tag was $120 bucks.  Looking at my face, I know I made the wrong decision - I should have bought that bow-legg-ed donkey painting.

But I save the best for last.  As did Katie.  It's hard to describe the joy I felt at Katie's choice of eatery the very last night.  The food was great, yes, but I will not even try to describe my elation I felt when I saw the decor:

Ho-ly-sm-oa-kk-z.

And look how well dinner went WITH THE LION.

There was so much food.  We felt the lion really wanted some too.

Then on the way out, what did we see?  A real cat.

Sadly, all you can see are its eyes (the glowing dots under the light).  I tried to get closer for a better shot and the cat had a rader sense or something and was like "danger!  She WILL pick me up" and it ran away.  Quickly.

Anyway, it was such an amazing trip.  I'm missing Katie too much already though...