HELLO USA! We are set to make our journey to ADIGRAT from ADDIS ABABA. We have just returned from a pre-volunteer vacation where we were completely out of contact with everyone…not our fault. No telephone and no internet. In a week we should be in Adigrat and able to talk and write more often.
Here are some pictures and the Itinerary of our latest adventure
ADDIS ABABA: AUG 18th-22nd
Capital city and economic center of Ethiopia and African Union and United Nations Center for Africa. 4-10 million people (yes that is not a mistake)
The family we are staying with are truly amazing. All members are very accomplished and bright…they all speak English very well and it is easy to ask questions. Each member of the family has also taken turns being a tour guide.
AWASA (through Ziway) Aug 22- 24th
Saw Hippos in Ziway. Our boat driver had just caught a 3.5 meter or 11.5 foot snake in his fishing net…..just one more reason not to swim with the Hippos. Mother I don’t want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. They are too big and I hear dangerous.
Once in AWASA we enjoyed the tropical weather, hiked with a group of kids, ate bananas and pineapples, and moved on.
ARBA MINCH, Aug24th-26th (6-9 hours of the worst road possible, Merida saw a large black Primate running in a field 100 feet or so away)
Didn’t feel safe, the safari was too expensive for what we had planed so we kept moving…I won’t go back!
KONSO, Aug 26th- 28th (we met a woman named Lori P. Sweningson (www.gtli.us) who works with Hamar Tribe in Southern Ethiopia. She is in her 50s, from Seattle and runs her own NGO where she works 3months in Ethiopia (in a tent) and three months in Seattle. Very Exciting!)
Highlights:
Merida almost delivered a baby on a bus (she was dehydrated and going in to labor)- We visited remote African tribes (the place w found the pregnant lady and took her on the bus we rented- Met some great and or interesting people most notably
Mr. Tichafa of the Strawberry Fields Eco Lodge (www.permalodge.org). Mr Tichafa is a “permacultre” teacher who’s native country in Zimbabwe, but who travels Africa setting up eco lodges teaching natives how to utilize the native species of plants and animals to sustain them selves and their communities. He introduces no new species to the area. He is simply an inspiration. Equipped with a mighty wit, a big smile, huge understanding and a massive heart, Mr Tichafa had much to teach us. We sat outside and shared dinner in his self made paradise. - saw some illnesses and or developmental defects poverty and hardship that blew our minds and opened our hearts.
YABELO and
HAGAR MARIUM 28th-29th ! The road and views where spectacular. I would like to take this road again. The countryside changes thousands of ways during our trip. 20 foot tall Termite piles, drought, heavy forests, tropical forests, huts, farms, bright, colorful and beautiful tribal, Muslim and Orthodox cultures and dress, and so much more.
Back to
ADDIS, Aug 29th
Can’t wait to get to Adigrat and start work! Adigrat is located at the top of an Ethiopian map; just east of Axum.
More info
The time difference: 7 hours from the East Coast/ 9 from Denver
Ethiopian time starts at 6am or sun up! sooooo I get out of bed at 2 am Ethiopian time or 8 am everywhere else in the world in the same time zone.
We are entering the 13th month of the Ethiopian Calender...not sure about how to explain that yet. I'll get back to you
Peace and Love
Collin and Merida
