At sunset I found myself back in the year 2007, on top of Stone Mountain, unwittingly spending the eve of Ethiopian New Year with Fethya, 39, and her two daughters, ages 7 and 4. Her sister Semira, 25, was there, too, but doesn't like to be photographed (but said from behind was okay). The sisters, originally from the Gondar region, taught me how to say "Melkam Addis Amete!" (Happy New Year!) and carefully went through the names of the 13 months in the Ethiopian calendar as we walked a mile together, and they earnestly tried to explain how the "extra days" from the first 12 months, each with exactly 30 days, result in the 13th month.
 
"There is no 31!" Fethya interjected, as if she just knew that detail would blow my mind.
 
Still not completely sure how it is our calendar is 7 years ahead, but all that mattered was the actual time we shared...and now I would very much like to try doro wot!