Addis Ababa has been my home now for 10 days, more specifically the Holiday Hotel in the Haya Hulet district of the city. Fortunately I arrived with minimal expectations and haven’t been disappointed so far. Addis, as cities go, has very little to endear itself to the casual visitor – unless of course you consider half constructed buildings to be architectural masterpieces. It is as though the builders got so far and then got fed up and started somewhere else. I understand that it has more to do with several constructions running out of funds.
They may still be in that state when my time in Ethiopia comes to an end in 2 years’ time, but you have to hope.
I have a feeling that hope is going to be really important during my time here along with an ability to deal with frequent changes to what is planned. Towards the latter half of the training week, my placement in Adola was confirmed. However, there remained an issue over where I would be staying. There was a possibility of a house with water that belonged to the hospital, but this was later adjusted to something on the college site. This seems likely to consist of a small bedroom, a kitchen and a long drop out the back somewhere. VSO have a list of furniture that they provide. 50% of this won’t fit. I’ll know for sure when I get there, and keeping hopeful it will exceed my expectations.
Water is not a part of the deal. It is brought to the college by donkey. I suspect that I am going to appreciate it all the more. I have been informed that this will be resolved in two or three months… they just didn’t say which two or three months.
Wednesday 24th September is date for departure. Four volunteers will travel down to Hawassa – about a 4 or 5 hour drive, and then I shall abandon them to continue alone to Adola- I was told another 3 hours… I’ll buy the logistics man a beer if we make it that quickly.
I’m told there isn’t much (apart from a gold mine) in Adola. Hawassa sounds a positive beacon of entertainment by comparison. I have the feeling that I am going to be spending a lot of time in Hawassa.
While I will be glad to get out to my placement, and suspect I won’t particularly miss Addis, I know that I will miss the good company I have had over the past 10 days (yes, even Ted 😉 ). Most people seem to have been heading out to various challenges from half-finished homes to lack of water.
I’m going to try to focus less on what I don’t have, and more on what I do – I’ll let you know what that is when I find out myself…
The real adventure is about to begin.
Wow – you are either very brave or plain nuts but either way we are missing you already x
Thanks Karole, I think we know which is the more likely and I can’t even blame it on the malaria tablets as I am taking the ones that make you sensitive to sunlight rather than psychotic. You and Peter will be pleased to hear that I have the equipment you provided…. although I did forget to put a few items on my requisition….
I second Karole’s comment about you being missed.
Glad to hear you’re OK. Keeping you in prayer.
So glad to hear you have made it there ok! I guess today the real work starts!! I hope things exceed your expectations, even if only in a small way 🙂 Let us have an address once you are settled! Lots of love from all of us! xx
Good to read your blog Michael, your morale still seems pretty good even after having your plans changed!
Seems ages ago we discussed our travel plans at college one night, then before you know it we’re both up and away! Also seems ages since our pub lunch in Chichester with Kati!
I’ll follow your blog with interest.
Cheers for now.
Les
Hey Michelle, looking forward to hearing all about your adventures! Good to know you arrived safely!
Ditto to Karole & Clare’s comments……not the same here without you!
Glad you’re upbeat about the challenges of last minute plan-changes, certainly keeps you mentally flexible!!
Sounds like a good bunch you’ve teamed up with, bet you’ve all kept each others’ spirits up, especially with the water situation……makes me realise what we take for granted!
Looking forward to next blog update, by which time you’ll (hopefully!) be safely ensconced in your cosy abode!
Take care & much love, xxx
Good blog name not bad for a reasonably intelligent person. Look after those glue sticks they don’t grow on donkeys you know. Not missing you yet….still finding all your left overs and damping down fires.
Hope all is going well, look after yourself.
Rocky
If this was Facebook I would ‘like’ all of the above comments 🙂
Hey Michael, I recommend those other malaria tablets, they make you have the weirdest dreams! Although it looks as though you won’t have to worry about the ‘extra sensitivity to sunlight’ from the tablets you’re taking by the looks of it there…