Melkam Millennium!!!!

Hot and burning news from the New Addis Ababa, where we just turned into the new Millennium among fireworks, crazy parties, crowded and expensive concerts. Ethiopians, indeed, follow the Coptic calendar instead of the Gregorian one: this means 13 months and 7 years behind compared to our “schedule”. September 11 was the fatidic date; millions of people got out in the streets, squares and all public spaces to mess around yelling HAPPY MILLENNIUM. We were dragged in all this happy event, and we celebrated as we were real HABESHA. It was fun, check out the pics to believe it.
After the millennium a series of celebrations are taking place all over Addis to continue greeting the new year: tomorrow there will be a free Flamenco concert kindly offered by the Spanish Embassy. We will be in pole position.
Last weekend I finally got some good rest with my colleagues Belen and Abraham, and we decided to go to Langano, a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains 250 km far from the capital, in oromia region. A two-day of sunbathing, swimming and walking, completely absorbed by the Nature, with baboons running on our heads, singing and colourful birds and annoying mosquitoes, we spent our Meskel days in a very productive way. Oh sorry, I did not explain what Meskel is. Actually it may recall the Mexican liquor, but it is not exactly that. It means CROSS, in Amharic, and gives also the name to the main square in Addis, were all celebration and manifestations take place. During Meskel day it is celebrated the finding of Jesus’ cross from a lady, and every year in Ethiopia (where the majority is ortodox) thousands of people gather in the main square to burn a HUGE fire to welcome this finding and the new year. Then, once all the wood, trees and materials they burn is almost done, they see where the left over falls, if north, south, west or east, and from that people understand if this could be a lucky or unfortunate year. I was really lucky, since I got the PASS to the press zone, so that I managed to watch the fire from 5 metres, an unforgettable show, itàs even difficult to describe it.
Finally, the pearl of these past few weeks: the movie on BOB MARLEY’S idea of AFRICA UNITE… at the presence of the Ethiopian President – Girma Woldegiorgis – Rita Marley (BOB’s WIFE!!!!) UNICEF country representative and other VIPs, in the Royal Palace it was shown the preview of the movie which wants to recall Bob’s idea of Africa Unite. Actually is a retroactive history of the relations between the RASTFARI and Ethiopia, and all the linkages between HAILESELASSIE and his influence on other African and world leaders. It was interesting, especially because it was a great opportunity to see from close was the RASTA culture is, often mystified with the idea of smoke and nothing else. I still think that it’s something out my deep understanding, but it’s colourful, harmless and…fun! In this regard pls also look at the pictures, with one the most important RASTA singers in the world after BOB’s death: LUCIANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess is everything for now, more updates after DUBAI’s travel with Valentina and Davide:
You will see lots of pictures of desert, beach, expensive hotels and… a ski track…. Yeah, I’m not kidding.. in Dubai there is a real – artificial – ski track, and we will be there, like always, in pole position…………………………..

PS: Thank you Trezeguet for scoring in the derby… bye bye Toro, like always you are behind…….

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