I arrived in Ethiopia in 1995. The communist government had been overthrown in 1991, which means that the country had had 4 years to settle down before we arrived. By that time, tourists were starting to trickle in, and people had discovered that they could sell some of their old jewelry. The Ethiopian people wanted to move into more modern times, and wanted new jewelry. But some of us treasure the old stuff.

As I got to know the local shopkeepers, they helped me out as I sought our treasures. They knew I would be around, and they knew I wanted those few special pieces. They held them for me, or called me to let me know they had them. And they were spectacular.