I’m sitting here in our office on a Saturday afternoon. It’s been a bit of a rush to get everything together before I leave on Tuesday. Typical, of course. That and the fact that I’m really not a going-away-party type of person, means that life has just been a little busier than normal.
So I hadn’t planned anything, but apparently a few of our staff have. I was told I should be at the office today. Not a problem, since I was already working. Then I saw them cutting firewood. ‘Great, a bonfire!’ I thought, good idea.
A few minutes ago I glanced out the window. Whuuaaa! There’s a goat tied up to the workshop shelter, with Abreham and Mahari working around it. This might be some next level stuff. Goaty, as we’ll call him, is standing there next to our new pump slabs, and probably admiring Ashley’s rope pump graveyard in the background.
Samu just asked me to come outside to photograph them killing the goat. I declined. But it will probably taste delicious tonight nonetheless.
B
Check out more: Ethiopia - Travel - Work - Culture
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have seen a goat killed by a Bedouin tribe in Jordan and it’s not a pretty sight. But it is a great honour!
Since you’re in Ethiopia, wonder if you have a tip about how to protect sensitive camera gear in dry, desert dusty conditions (the Middle East - Jordan and Egypt. I’ve been both places many times, but not with expensive camera gear)?
[Reply]
Brendan Reply:
August 22nd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Hi Tara,
There’s a well circulated 13 Tips for Great Photography in a Developing Country post on Cashewman, but only one point is protect your gear!
I’m actually horrible. My old G2 was kept in a sock, with a shoelace. My current G10 doesn’t even have a strap!
I’d actually like to hear your techniques, as I suspect they’re far above my own.
I’ve long wanted to travel to the Middle East, and Jordan sticks out as a great destination.
B
[Reply]
Cultural insensitivity notwithstanding, I’m of the opinion that if you won’t shoot it, then maybe you shouldn’t eat it.
That being said, it does sound like quite an honour. I think that the biggest animal anybody ever killed for me was a prawn.
[Reply]
Brendan Reply:
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:41 am
Fair thought there, for sure. Certainly it was nice yesterday to get a shot of non-shrinkwrapped meat consumption. I didn’t kill it myself, but out of interest I did document the process. I don’t think I’ll share it here though.
B
[Reply]
raff Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Have you watched Apocalypse Now recently? There’s a gruesome ritualistic yak slaughter. I think it’s actually real.
[Reply]