tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578950957986346975.post4417627725428907408..comments2023-10-25T03:48:31.214-07:00Comments on Nomadic Entrepreneurs: Lalibela: Tastes like scamJacob and Kalli Hillerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16733331398084455444noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578950957986346975.post-64417404003537873932012-07-06T22:47:40.018-07:002012-07-06T22:47:40.018-07:00The above comment was Kalli... this is Jacob...
...The above comment was Kalli... this is Jacob... <br /><br />Abel... There have of course been schemes, scams, and begging in every country we have been in.<br /><br />But.. Ethiopia definitely takes the cake for begging, and creating "scam-begging" (when you beg for something but really are going to use it for money).<br /><br />Every person we met, even those we supposed friends... asked for money from us at some point.<br /><br />I don't really know why... we've been in poorer countries where it was not like that at all.<br /><br />I attribute it to the massive amounts of aid that were given to Ethiopians after the draught and following famine. It seems to have engendered a culture of "gimme"...<br /><br />It seems to me that the countries and areas that get the most handouts... want the most handouts.<br /><br />I respect Ethiopians, their character, and their potential too much than to believe the only way to progress is through handouts... these are amazing people.<br /><br />Despite the almost incessant begging, or creative begging I still loved Ethiopia, the culture, the food, the good nature of the people... I'm sure we'll be back to visit again.Jacob and Kalli Hillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733331398084455444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578950957986346975.post-55874804312394498752012-07-06T13:18:15.823-07:002012-07-06T13:18:15.823-07:00I certainly don't mean to offend anyone. We ju...I certainly don't mean to offend anyone. We just had daily occurences with being scammed by nearly every person we met while in Lalibela. I loved Ethiopia and hope to visit it again, but as a tourist it seems we stuck out and had problems that the average Ethiopian probably doesn't encounter.Jacob and Kalli Hillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733331398084455444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578950957986346975.post-68459295413573950982012-07-06T06:25:22.717-07:002012-07-06T06:25:22.717-07:00Jacob and Kalli Hiller must be emotional, because ...Jacob and Kalli Hiller must be emotional, because some lazy persons and beggers are available in every country. The same is true for Lalibela and Ethiopia. Scamers are more prevalent in their country than Lalibela. There is one Ethiopian Qoute "Thief persone never believe anyone"<br />ZinabieZinabie Felekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06698607102594006454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578950957986346975.post-84426461663144771452011-05-27T17:17:02.755-07:002011-05-27T17:17:02.755-07:00We really aren't doing beggars any favors by g...We really aren't doing beggars any favors by giving them money. It all goes back to "give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." It's so sad that these people have so little dignity that they don't feel like they can work for anything. There are even people who join the Church for the welfare program (ask me how I know), and it's sad.Laura A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02281382584845664329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4578950957986346975.post-62903055365327811942011-05-22T14:40:30.715-07:002011-05-22T14:40:30.715-07:00That is so frustrating. >.<
I know there w...That is so frustrating. >.<<br /><br />I know there was one beggar woman who I actually saw twice on the streets of Armenia. The first time she was begging for money "in order to get back home to her family, turns out she doesn't have money for the fare home" and I asked what she had to sell me. So I attempted to do an exchange.<br /><br />The second time I saw her she didn't recognize me and tried to pull the same scam. So I got out my cellphone and asked for her phone number so I could call her family and tell them what had happened. She freaked out and pretty much fled the scene. <br /><br />I haven't been able to feel the same way about beggars ever since. I, too, don't have a job, but I am trying to DO something about it.<br /><br />It's so sad that people can allow themselves to think that money and getting it off others is the way to live.<br /><br />-LauraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com