Chris Blattman

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Addis field notes

As I’ve said to all within earshot the past few days: who knew I could work in an African country with a temperate clime and great food? I may not get on the plane to Liberia Sunday…

Don’t get me wrong: I love Liberia. Sure, I may get heat rash within fifteen minutes of landing. And if I have to eat potato leaves with bush meat drenched in palm oil one more time I may cry. Fortunately there’s lots else to love. And the climate, food, and recent war keep out the riff-raff (by which I mean development economists).

The climate here in Addis is similar to Nairobi and Kampala. Ugandan and Kenyan food gets a bad rap from the international set. I actually find it quite pleasant, if somewhat plain. But, like the French, Ugandans and Kenyans consider ketchup a hot sauce. That plus the standard meal combo—three starches and a veg—give Ethiopia the climatic and culinary edge so far.

Now that I’ve managed to offend roughly 160 million people, I believe I will sign off.

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