ሰላም aka Sälam. Welcoming you to my first blog post. I arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 26th September 2024, which was on the day of ‘Meskel’ - an Ethiopian Christian Orthodox holiday/celebration. So much has happened since then!

Addis is full of colour and vibes as usual. Lots of changes are happening though. The Addis I remember is disappearing - currently being dismantled/demolished. I feel for the people losing their homes and community. The massive gap between those with and without has been difficult to witness at times. Also, practising patience and acceptance has been very present for me. Everything moves at a different pace here.

Soon after arriving I setup my home music studio that continues to develop by adding art on the walls and tweaking my setup. I have been creating new music/art, meditating, connecting with culture, eating lots of Ethiopian food, hiking, practising yoga/pilates/body weight exercise, learning Amharic, reading, going out to events, resting at home and also meeting/spending time with some amazing family/friends. Life is good and I’m very grateful!

The smog of thick pollution and dust when I am walking/driving around Addis can be a bit overwhelming at moments. Driving in my aged little green Renault Clio has been an experience (her name is Olive) - nearly overheating her going around tiny cobbled steep roads, getting a puncture and purchasing new tyres, getting an oil leak. Olive is working fine now though, thanks to my family here. She has a old radio too, which has a cassette tape player!

Most Saturdays I hike up into the Yeka mountains with a group, which gives me some very fresh air (sometimes Entoto on Sundays) and at the same time tests my heart because of the difference in air pressure, stopping me from inhaling enough oxygen. However, I am slowly acclimatising to the altitude.

some pattern things...