Memories of Ethiopia

2023.08.18

Mr. Yu Ayusawa, Volunteer from 1983~1986

Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of JOCVs in Ethiopia!

My name is Yu Ayusawa, and I was dispatched to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, in the Design Department (3rd floor), as a Building Facility Designer from 1983 to 1986 G.C. I have fond memories of the three years that I spent in Ethiopia. I became friends many of my colleagues, and on the weekends, I visited them at their homes and joined them for coffee ceremonies. I was able to nurture very good relationship through various interactions. I also learnt Amharic during my time there and being able to read and write in Amharic has been an asset for me.

Below, I have listed some of my memories from Ethiopia:

1 . The low-cost house that I lived in, it was in 22 Mazoriya district.
2 . White and blue color taxies.
3 . Owner and kid’s smile of the vegetable grocery stand next to the office.(They used to give me discounts on the vegetables.)
4 . Filwoha Hotel & Hot Springs and delicious injera
5 . Meta Beer and Ambo Water. (My favorite)
6 . Rendezvous Restaurant at Revolution [Meskel] Square and the full bloom of Jacaranda trees in front of OAU [AUC].
7 . Ambassador Hotel’s shish kebab. (It was so delicious.)
8 . Sodere Hot Spring Pool (I have been there for camping with office friends)
9 . Awash National Park, the Afar Tribe and Oasis.
10 . On the day of my return to Japan, I was sent off by my friends at Bole Airport, and I couldn't help but burst into tears. (Saying goodbye to friends and leaving Ethiopia was so hard.)

When I think of Ethiopia, it still lives fresh in my mind.
I hope that JOCV activities will contribute to the development of friendship and economic development with Ethiopia.

I hope to one day visit Ethiopia again in my lifetime.
I wish Ethiopia further development and success.

Discussion between Yu Ayusawa and his counterpart

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