Millennium mania mounting

Later that day we walked by Meskel Square, a huge plaza built by the Communist regime that reigned Ethiopia 1974 - 1991. There last-minute preparations were under way for the Millennium celebrations four days later. Workers were hammering, sawing, welding. Sparks were flying around brand-new signs welcoming the year 2000.

Non-Ethiopians may now ask: Uh, Millennium celebrations? Year 2000? The Millennium arrived, like, almost eight years ago. True, but Ethiopia operates on a different calendar from the rest of the world; it's the only nation that follows the antique Ge'ez calendar, where the years have 13 months. (One of Ethiopia's most popular tag lines about itself: "13 Months of Sunshine".) Just one more way, it turns out, that makes Ethiopia a pretty darn unique country.