As the year 2006 draws to a close, I find myself preparing for an upcoming trip to Ethiopia with Water1st International. I spent a good deal of time in that beautiful, mysterious country over the past year, and now, as I prepare my cameras and gear for the long journey ahead, I find myself reflecting on my recent travels.

Ethiopia is one of my favorite places to visit. The people are at once welcoming and friendly, and yet they are also very proud of their heritage and history. I recall flying back to Addis Ababa from Asosa, where I’d been on an assignment for Ethos Water. The flight was a very long 3 hours in an 18-seat propeller plane. Before boarding in Asosa, I’d had every inch of every one of my camera bags inspected with a fine-tooth comb by a guy with an AK-47 leaning against his inspection table. The woman across the aisle from me was sick throughout the entire flight.

As we skimmed along over western Ethiopia’s rolling countryside, I watched out the window and was fascinated at how almost all of the country was being farmed, and yet I saw almost no signs of roads anywhere. These are hard-working people who are, in many ways, farming the land they live on in the same fashion as their ancestors farmed it before them for thousands of years. Most Ethiopians struggle with many of the same problems their ancestors faced, too, like not enough food, and having to walk long distances to find drinking water.

I will be visiting communities near Ginchi, several hours drive west of Addis, on this upcoming trip. We will be documenting the work of Water1st. Water1st has been funding water projects in that area through an indigenous NGO named Water Action. It will be good to see old friends again, and perhaps meet new ones. I’m glad for the new blog, as I look forward to posting from Ethiopia. Above all, I look forward to being back in one of my favorite places.