I never knew this, but apparently there is some significance attached to the 1st of May. My best friend Janet enlightened me on an expression that was passed down to her from her Dad; who knew? Since this is a Family Rated blog I won't elaborate, but rather I will discuss my thoughts on what May brings to Ethiopia.
May 1st in Ethiopia marks "Labour Day." Just like Labour Day in North America it's a National Holiday giving all workers a day off. It's a nice way to start the month, although Paul still went in as he had meetings to attend. Some 'laborers" just don't get it. The first Monday of May is yet another holiday. This year May 5th marked Patriot's Day. This day commemorates those Ethiopians who successfully resisted Italian invasion and occupation from 1936 to 1941. It's kind of ironic because there is a large contingent of ex-Pat Italians living and working here and this is evidenced by the large number of Italian restaurants. I'm really happy about this as I love Italian cuisine. Paul and I are frequent visitors to the restaurant, Saro Maria. Their pasta is fresh and delicious. Hilton serves up custom-made pizza from a wood oven. Grani di Pepe, (must have a reservation) is worth the wait. And don't get me started on the Saint Honore Pasticceria. Kristina lives here now and provides delicious treats to tempt your palette. My Christmas baking this year was never so easy!
Okay, so I digress, I was talking about holidays. May 28th will be another National Holiday known as National Day. It is more commonly referred to as 'Derg Downfall Day'. The Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police and Territorial Army, or Derg for short ruled from 1974 to 1987, after the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie. It's reported that the Derg executed and imprisoned tens of thousands of its opponents without benefit of trials. The Derg fell in 1991 and since then May 28th marks a day of celebration.
It's hard to envision the degree of brutality and injustice Ethiopia must have been under during the regime of the Derg. Today the streets of Addis are only 'brutal' when it comes to their driving, but other wise they are relatively peaceful. On holidays or when there are visiting dignitaries you will notice a heavy presence of blue camo-clad Federal police. They are highly visible and their presence appears enough to keep the peace. The 'federalis', along with the regular police force maintain order, and when there are large (and I mean LARGE) gatherings of people, it's comforting to see so many Men in Blue.
I've commented in past blogs about the number of cars on the roads. But as Paul has reminded me, Ethiopia is still very much a pedestrian society. Holidays bring out the people. The weather during dry season is picture perfect so on holidays, people are out in full force. Even during wet season people are still out, but they are just more creative in their 'rain wear". So when you're out driving you must always be on high alert for pedestrians. Cars don't adhere to lanes or road rules, so why would you think pedestrians would? SInce you do not want to hit a pedestrian, it only makes sense (you're bigger and more dangerous) that you yield to pedestrian traffic. It's just the way it is. Pedestrians tend to 'assume' they have the right away and you do not want to risk challenging that assumption.
May this year had 3 official holidays, but in some years Easter is also celebrated in May, so you can tack on 2 more days. Not bad at all and reason I believe to say, "Hurray, hurray, it's May"!
