Chat is a potent stimulant and it is used by the vast majority of the male population here in Ethiopia as well as Somalia, Yemen and Kenya.
Brought in fresh daily from the countryside the leaves are masticated in the mouth. It gives strength, focus and keeps you awake – particularly for the long-haul bus and truck drivers.
My thieving fixer in Bahir Dar invites me to indulge for an authentic experience. The leaves are as bitter as the ubiquitous injere, and i am provided as a virgin user to incorporate at least a part of an extra strong mint candy. Nuts are also a helpful and popular digestive. Clearly wanting to impress the farangi i am given a huge dose which keeps me up for some 42 hours. The last thing i need as i have enough difficulties sleeping in Ethiopia. These machiatos are so difficult to resist!
I will not be repeating the experience.
More can be found on chat by clicking on this link.
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