(14, CA, USA) Anonymous - Mother Ethiopia
As the plane descended into Addis Ababa International Airport, I felt a mix of emotions. I had never been outside the USA, and I never thought I would go out of my comfort zone to visit an entirely new country, even a new continent. However, Ethiopia is where my roots are and where everyone in my family tree has come from. Stepping off the plane felt like a surreal experience. Feeling the hot air breeze through my body, I was both excited and nervous. Driving away from the airport and seeing the vibrant colors, bustling streets full of taxis carrying almost ten people at a time, and the rich aroma of spices gave me an overwhelming sense of belonging. "This is where I come from. My roots, my ethnicity, my everything," I thought.
As I arrived in my parents' home village, I met my uncle, his wife, and his three kids. The oldest, Sammy, greeted me. He spoke an entirely different language, Amharic. I knew what he was saying, but I didn’t know how to respond. Growing up, I was never taught the language, but I was surrounded by people who spoke it. I was able to pick up on some words and understand their meaning. So, I just waved to Sammy. His younger siblings, Abel and Amanuel, came up to me and hugged me. I hugged them back, thankful I didn’t have to awkwardly wave at them as I did with Sammy.
As a few weeks passed, I was getting used to the new environment. I made friends with my cousins, even with the language barrier. They taught me words which were helpful when speaking to other people. There was also a corner store, where my cousins and I frequently went to snack on some candy.
Talking to my cousins gave me an entirely new point of view on the world. They never grew up with the internet, electronics, or even talking to people outside of Ethiopia. It gave me a newfound appreciation for the simplicity in life. Even if we had our differences, we were still able to bond and connect.
Before I went to Ethiopia, I thought it would be a horrible experience since there was almost always no power or internet. I was wrong. I was able to make new friends and see the world in a new way. It taught me that even with humanity’s differences, humans can still have a strong connection, understanding, and sense of belonging.
