Category Archives: Blog

Home Brew…

Posted on September 29, 2016 by admin

My coffee teacher in Ethiopia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I learned how to make Ethiopian coffee in Addis Ababa from this little master — she made me the best cup of coffee in my life! While learning the different stages of the traditional coffee ceremony, I learned that the fresh herb served with the coffee is tena’adam. The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a wonderful way to take a breath and pause a few times a day to enjoy fresh coffee with family and friends — and Ethiopian coffee is really as good as it gets.

Giving it a go (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

البتراء / Πέτρα

Posted on September 28, 2016 by admin

World Archaeological Congress in Petra (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I’ve been smitten with Petra ever since being introduced to it by my Brown University archaeology professor Dr. Martha Sharp Joukowsky, who excavated the Great Temple of Petra (and whose courageous parents are featured in a new documentary directed by Ken Burns). I had the opportunity to visit Petra a few years ago when I gave talk in Jordan at the World Archaeology Congress (we explored this impressive World Heritage site as a group). So I was sorry to read today that tourists are staying away from this jewel of cultural heritage in Jordan — and the lack of revenue is threatening its preservation.

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Bold Marauder…

Posted on September 28, 2016 by admin

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Omani Tolerance…

Posted on September 28, 2016 by admin

Making friends in Oman (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Oman has been ranked the most tolerant country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2016. I’m grateful to be an expat in friendly Muscat in the peaceful Sultanate of Oman — which has a very long history of tolerance for people of different nationalities and faiths.

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Tomoca Coffee in Ethiopia…

Posted on September 28, 2016 by admin

Tomoca Coffee in Addis Ababa (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Welcome to Tomoca — my favorite coffee shop in the world (and the first coffee company based in Addis Ababa). Their macchiato perks me right up when I’m dragging from jetlag — it’s really so good.

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

I Love Lucy…

Posted on September 28, 2016 by admin

National Museum of Ethiopia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I love Lucy — in Ethiopia! I enjoyed learning more about Lucy‘s famous skeleton at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. The latest theory from scientists is that she died after falling from a tree…

Loving Lucy in Ethiopia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

መስቀል

Posted on September 27, 2016 by admin

Meskel Square in Ethiopia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Wishing a peaceful Meskel to all Ethiopians celebrating today’s religious holiday in Ethiopia and abroad! On the eve of Meskel last night, huge crowds gathered in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa to mark the lighting of the ceremonial bonfire. I was in Meskel Square just last week when I was traveling through Ethiopia to witness the Christian holiday of Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) and the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha. If you would like to travel to Ethiopia and enjoy one of their religious celebrations, I recommend going in January to see Timkat — an Ethiopian celebration of Epiphany (I used Abysinnian Tours and recommend them: info@abyssiniantours.com).

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Restored Library in Fez…

Posted on September 27, 2016 by admin

Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fez (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

The Qarawiyyin Library, the “oldest library in the world,” has reopened in Fez. The library is next to Qarawiyyin Mosque (one of my favorite mosques in Morocco). This ornate library is truly a “women’s story” — it was renovated by Moroccan architect Aziza Chaouni and established in the 9th century by a woman, Fatima Muhammad Al-Fihri Al-Quraysh, who also founded the University of Qarawiyyin and Qarawiyyin Mosque in 859.

Admiring the architecture of Qarawiyyin Mosque (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan…

Posted on September 27, 2016 by admin

Tajik-Afghan border (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Tajik-Afghan border twice — and I even walked through no man’s land to cross the border into Afghanistan. Now China has announced plans to help Tajikistan protect its border with Afghanistan — a notorious corridor for smuggling drugs out of Afghanistan.

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Loving Lalibela…

Posted on September 21, 2016 by admin

Church of St. George (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

While exploring the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia, I was especially struck by the magnificence of the Church of St. George — carved underground in the shape of a cross. Some even call it the 8th Wonder of the World!

Church of St. George from afar (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Old City…

Posted on September 21, 2016 by admin

Exploring Harar (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I felt a surge of ecstasy while entering the old city gates of Harar in Ethiopia — a dream come true to really be there.

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Ge’ez What?

Posted on September 20, 2016 by admin

Talking Ge'ez grammar in Ethiopia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

I was delighted to speak in Ge’ez with Ethiopian priests while exploring churches in Lalibela — they were certainly surprised to hear me converse in this Christian liturgical language from Ethiopia!

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Gender & Education in Oman…

Posted on September 20, 2016 by admin

Times of Oman

While on the road last week doing research in Ethiopia, I read that there are more Omani females than males enrolled in universities this year in the Sultanate of Oman. Obviously this statistic flies in the face of stereotypes about gender and higher education in the region. For me, it is a true joy and honor to be able to teach university students in Oman — there’s nowhere else I would currently rather teach than the Persian Gulf.

Posted in Blog | Comments Off

Postcard from Ethiopia…

Posted on September 20, 2016 by admin

On the road in Ethiopia (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Posted in Blog | Comments Off