Sometimes, you’re just minding your own business, and all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of a new cultural experience.

I love it when that happens!

Essentially, I was minding my own business, yesterday afternoon. I was waiting for the bus when a truck pulled up. Don’t worry, it wasn’t someone creepy– it was just my parents. My mom told me that they were going to my dad’s friend’s house for Ethiopian food, and that I must go with them. I’ll admit, I was a little angry. I was sleepy, it was hot out, I had worked since 7am, which meant I had been up since 5am (I’m really trying to bring home the “I was sleepy,” point, here!). But my dad’s friend, Desi, is really nice. (I used to work with him when I worked for my dad as a construction worker, and while I disliked the job, there’s no denying that some of the guys are really nice.)

So, we went. It was a housewarming party. My dad recently helped Desi to find a house. They found a really pretty one in Mackenzie Towne, with a wrap around porch, and a gorgeous south-facing deck. Desi is from Ethiopia. He is extremely grateful for EVERYTHING. Especially to my dad for helping him with the house search, getting everything set up, etc. I learned straight away that having a party like this, where you can give food to others, is a BIG deal in Ethiopia, because food is such a luxury! There were two other ladies there, who were also from Ethiopia, and they had started cooking a week ago, and had stayed up all night finishing everything! And such a feast! There was all sorts of spicy chicken and beef, and salads, and an absolutely GORGEOUS fruit-kebab tree!

Then, we settled in the living room for coffee. But, coffee in Ethiopia isn’t instant mix in a cup. It’s not even roasted beans in a machine. It is a ceremony.

First, one of the girls sat down at this big set-up on the floor. And she started ROASTING coffee beans. And they were GREEN. I had no clue that coffee beans weren’t brown! Anyway, she roasted them, and while doing so, they burned a certain kind of Ethiopian incense, which not only smelled great, it was also what was used to FLAVOUR the coffee!

After the beans were roasted, they were ground, then stewed in a pot for quite a bit. It smelled so good.

Meanwhile, because this took quite a bit, we watched Ethiopian music videos! They were essentially your typical music videos, about love and cheating and all that, but in Africa, with all the traditional clothing and dancing.

Except for this one– it was of a guy, and he was wearing a hockey jersey, and singing. He sang something about how he burned some bread, and he was dancing around looking at his bread, and he was sad. Then, he went to meet a girl. But before he could get to her, another guy went up to her. And he was like WHOA. And then ANOTHER guy came up and started fighting with the other guy. So, the singer man RAN AWAY. He ran fast! He ran all the way to the doctor! So he could get an HIV test, because his girl was a hoochie! Luckily, he didn’t have HIV, and then he decided he didn’t need girls, because his mom would feed him and give him money and stuff. So, there you have it– I’ve just solved all of your relationship problems right here! Don’t even try! It’s not worth it! You could get HIV!

By now, the coffee was done. First everyone got bread or popcorn. The older people got it first, then everyone else in descending age. It was great, because it’s so respectful! And finally, after about an hour, the coffee was ready! It was thick and strong. And served in tiny cups, because it was strong. But very good. And it smelled delicious.

It was just such a cool event! And reading more about it today just makes it so much more special! You can read about it yourself here.

Have you ever had any really cool cultural experiences, like this? I love them! I hope I have more soon!