Tag Archives: Ethiopia

“Sometimes, in describing what I do, I resort to the Latin phrase ‘silva rerum’: the forest of things. That’s my subject: the forest of things.” — Ryszard Kapuściński

One of my favorite writers. His death in 2007 was devastating to me. I went to the memorial tribute at the New York Public Library, hosted by his close personal friend Salman Rushdie. I am not sure I can sufficiently … Continue reading

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September 2021 Viewing Diary

Busy month. I found an apartment. I moved. AGAIN. Second time this year. Plus, a family wedding. Plus a new job. It’s been a full year of upheaval, no stability, nothing regular, my stuff scattered in storage units. I’m doing … Continue reading

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Review: Faya Dayi (2021)

What a compelling haunting movie. I can’t stop thinking about it. A documentary about khat, a plant that grows in Ethiopia – indigenous to the region – which people chew to reach a euphoric state. It’s now the only cash … Continue reading

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The Books: “The Emperor” (Ryszard Kapuscinski)

My history bookshelf. Onward. Next book on this shelf is called The Emperor: Downfall of an Autocrat by Ryszard Kapuscinski. This is the story of the the fall of Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia. Kapuscinski went to Ethiopia, while the … Continue reading

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The Books: “Surrender or Starve : Travels in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea” (Robert Kaplan)

History Bookshelf: Next book on this shelf is called Surrender or Starve: Travels in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea by Robert Kaplan. Yet another one of Kaplan’s earlier books which was re-released after his massive success with Balkan Ghosts. Here, … Continue reading

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