Chat Market, Aweday, Ethiopia

Now overtaking coffee in Ethiopia's export market (apparently), chat is a leaf that is used socially in the east part of the country and is known for it's mildly narcotic properties. Men literally chew the chat and let the afternoon drift away.

This chat market in Aweday is the biggest one in the country and it was also one of the most frenetic markets I've ever seen. You can see by the speed the woman is tying the bunches and the urgency the other woman is negotiating for hers.

After being here for a few days, I'm also aware of the Ethiopian's fixation on the English Football League. Man Utd, Chelsea and erm Arsenal . . .