Sidewalk Commerce

A herd of goats, their shepard Kaldi and a Monk play into the legend that places the discovery of coffee on the Ethiopian plateau. Ethiopia isn't the only one to claim this legend. See http://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/History-of-Coffee I saw a goat eating some coffee beans of a bush, so I am a believer. I would not challenge the legend in these parts.
Coffee has a big influence in this culture, and they brew it strong in Ethiopia. There are coffee stands like the one above all over Bahir Dar. For 5 Ethiopian Birr (less than 20 cents) you can get one of these small cups with as much sugar, or not, you desire. Delicious and motivating. On campus the price is subsidized and I can get a mid-morning fix for 3 Birr (10 cents). The traditional pot you see is a common fixture, rather than the Italian espresso pot above (though they did have their influence during their 5 years of occupation and cappucinoes are available in many places). So is the grass, which I see delivered all over town, to homes as well as cafes. I think it is for good mojo. 
Dademos, an Ethiopian who I am working with on a project, invited me to the cultural restaurant below on Friday night.  His mother is originally from here. He knew all the traditional dances and what region they were from. It was a great end to the day. Fortunately, I have no pictures of me trying to dance the local shake dance that night. 

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The umbrellas you see on sidewalk below are shoe shining businesses. This is a serious business in Ethiopia. Whether you are wearing flip flops, sneakers or dress shoes, you may hire to at least have them cleaned. In the case of dress shoes, spit shined for 10 Birr. A 15 minute, enthusiastic clean and shine for less than 20 cents. This young woman was fine having her picture taken until I asked if I could take it with her sitting in her chair, her tools all around. Her friends talked her out of that picture.

There's something universal about a haircut. A good barber wants to figure out what kind of haircut you want. I always have trouble with this stage. How short/how long. Just make me look good, ha ha. You can see from the outside whites are not the target audience. No surprise there. There are few of us and most are just passing through.
As we started, another guy in the shop stepped in to serve as interpreter. So now the instructions are filtered. Not a recipe for confidence. While the cut is a bit shorter than I am used to, I thought he did an excellent job. And he was a good sport about getting his picture taken. I waited until the end to ask. Another universal truth - don't risk making the guy standing over you with sharp scissors unhappy.

I love these kids who sit ready to weigh you as you walk by. Is this a health initiative? Is the information confidential. At least in Bahir Dar the kids are often seen doing their homework while they wait for a willing customer.