FEBRUARY 4, 2009 | THE MEREDITH HERALD | PAGE 7
O
AMPUS LIFE
PRICE COMPARISON!
AFRICA VS. THE U.S.
Mariamawit Tadesse
Staff Writer
Anyone who has been to Africa begins to comprehend
its abundance. It is not merely a continent where people
live in the jungle and roam around naked. It is filled
with diversity, nature and wildlife. The people are no
different from the people of the Western World. They
go out to restaurants and movies -and even shop. The
biggest contributor to Afnca’s growth is trade. Are the
prices of goods and services in Ethiopia and Kenya any
different from the United States?
Ethiopia is located on the eastern horn of Afnca. It
is a developing country where 85% of the population
depends on agriculture. The markets mainly include
coffee, flowers, leather, gold and oilseeds. The price of
modem or western clothing, shoes and handbags are a
bit expensive compared to traditional Ethiopian cloth
ing as well as clothes in the United States. Ppople of
Ethiopia enjoy the company of others at all times. They
enjoy life by attending coffee ceremonies and going to
restaurants or an azmah bet (a place where you can eat
and enjoy live cultural performances).
Fitness centers there have fewer customers.compared
to gymnasiums in America because obesity is rare. The
shopping centers vary from supermarkets and malls to
flea markets and boutiques. 99% of the people buy food
on Saturday mornings. When shopping anywhere in
Ethiopia, a tourist must always bargain for 2/3 or 1/3 of
the selling price. For electronics, there are two choices.
TOP 10 BAR SPECIALS IN
RALEIGH
Aubrey Jones
Staff Writer
Don’t let the economy hold you
back from going out and having a
good time! Check out these spe*
cials for the cheapest ways to enjoy
Raleigh.
Amra’s
106 Gtenwood Ave
Sunday Night - Live Music
Yi priced wine ,
Flying Saucer
328 W Morgan St
Monday Night
Pint Night
Blue Martini • Live Music
116 N West St #100'
Wednesday Night
Free Appetizers for Ladies with
purchase of Cosmo
Rum Runners
208 E Martin St
Wednesday Night -
Dueling Piano night
$5 cover $1.25 well drinks $2 beer
Red Room:
Thursday Night
1/2 off Sangria and Paella
Free salsa lessons
Buckhead Saloon
411 W. Morgan St.
Wednesday Night - College Night
No cover until 10:30
Pantana Bob’s
3025 Hillsborough St
Thursday Night
No cover for ladies before 11pm
Haven Lounge
606 Glenwood Ave.
Thursday Night
$10 cover, open bar all night
Lucky B’s
609 Tucker Street
(Off Glenwood Ave.)
Thursday Night
$1.50 Domestic beer
Sushi Blue Caf6
301 Glenwood Ave
Vz priced sushi Tuesday
10pm-12am and
Thursday Night llpm-lam
made in China or company made. Cell phones made in
China are very cheap, but they do not last long because
they are of poor quality. The latter might vary from
Nokia, Samsung, etc., and they are cheaper than cell
phones in the US.
One of the neighboring countries’ to Ethiopia is the
Republic of Kenya. The Republic of Kenya is a beau
tiful country with rich scenery, culture, religion, safaris
and a prominent social center. Nairobi, the capital, is
the 4th largest city in Africa. The main exports are tea,
cofiTee and petroleum products. Ida Githu and Esther
Wamunyu are students from Kenya studying at Mer
edith College. Kenyans love outings, like going to the
movies or night clubs. Such entertainments are much
cheaper and accessible to all ages with the exception of
drinking. Public transportation is easily accessible and
reliable at a very low price. Since public health is so
cheap, there is no necessity for health insurance, unlike
the U.S.
The statement that Afhcans get a dollar a day has
shocked the World for centuries. Esther pointed out that
the reason in general why people survive on a dollar a
day is because things are cheaper. A dollar in Ethiopia
is worth 9.89 birr while in Kenya it is worth 80 shilling.
In conclusion, living in Africa costs less than living in
the United States. ■
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