AES: ESL 382: Computer Applications

Our family has always wanted to have a piece of property on the water. We love living in Portland, but we didn't want to spend all of our time in the "big city". We hoped that our son David would be able to know something of life in the countryside, of soaring birds and meandering wildlife, not just rumbling buses and speeding commuter vehicles. Whenever we went on vacation, we always had our eyes open for that special place we might buy. We looked at property on the Oregon and Washington coast, on rivers and streams in eastern Oregon, and in the mountain ranges in between. As it turns out, we found the place for us less than 1 1/2 hours away by car. To the northwest of Portland, situated in the middle of the Columbia River, is a beautiful spot called Puget Island.

Our property does not have a view of the Columbia River, which has huge ships traveling up and down. Ours is a more peaceful spot. It sits on a slough, which is a slowly moving ribbon of water that rises and falls as the tide comes in on the ocean, which is about a half hour away. When we want to see the "big" river, we just take a ten minute bike ride or twenty minute walk around one corner of the island and there we are on the shores of the Columbia. When we want to visit a restaurant or store, we can drive then minutes to Cathlamet. . .

Beginning in the summer of 1985, and several times since, I have traveled alone to the eastern part of Africa, including Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia. I went as an international relief worker, helping refugees who had been displaced from their homes due to a shortage of food and political conflicts. In the summer of 1996, I returned to Ethiopia, but for a different reason; I was traveling for pleasure with my husband, Michael, and our son, David. We were accompanying our friends, one of whom was born in Ethiopian. He was was returning to visit his family and the village where he was born. We were lucky enough to be invited to travel with him and were able to experience all the hospitality and grandeur that the people and the country have to offer. Though we spent most of our time in the teeming, cosmopolitan capital of Addis Ababa, we were able to fly to several ancient Ethiopian cities on the historical circuit, which includes Axum, Gondar and Lalibela.

Lalibela, named after the famous king Lalibela, who ruled this area of northern Ethiopia in the late 12th century, is considered by many to be the 8th "wonder of the world". Perhaps it is not officially recognized because it is visited by few foreigners each year and is accessible only by small aircraft and a primitive road, both of which may be closed during the rainy season. (This is changing very quickly as the government is in the process of building a modern paved road and airport facilities which will accommodate large commercial aircraft). The main attraction of Lalibela is the series of churches, each carved below the surface of the ground from a single rock. Many of the churches are connected via a series of tunnels and winding pathways, all carved from rock. Legend has it that the churches were built overnight. Perhaps most fascinating is that these churches, built over 700 years ago, are still in use today. Visitors to the area, as they tour the churches, will see priests and other church leaders leading services and doing the work of the church. The churches are especially busy during the celebration of Christmas and Easter . . .

Puget Island and Lalibela are located on different continents with different climates and the people have a completely different appearance, language and culture. For example, when our family visits Puget Island, we have to be ready for wet weather during the rainy season (November- March). We also have to be ready for the rainy season in Lalibela, but it begins in June, just when things are turning sunny and dry in Washington . . .

The differences between Puget Island and Lalibela are very obvious, but there are also some important similarities which might surprise you. Both Puget Island and Lalibela support themselves in the same way -- farming and tourism. During the tourist season on Puget Island, there are many visitors who ride the ferry across the Columbia River to Washington from the Oregon side. Likewise, during Lalibela's high season, tourists arrive in a steady stream via small airplanes and four wheel drive vehicles. Both towns rely on specialized transportation to support their economy. . .

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