I am sure that several of you are concerned, having been following this blog, about my lack of success in tucking into a Titem special burger (see last entry on Hawassa).  No doubt sleepless nights have ensued wondering if I ever made it back to Hawassa or if I was permanently trapped in Adola.  Well, peruse on, dear reader, and learn of my second adventures in Hawassa.

The take making drinks very seriously here.

In spite of my intention of trying to string a few weeks together in Adola before heading back to Hawassa, I found myself plotting another excursion rather sooner than planned, encouraged by a looming bank holiday.  This was on a Tuesday and seemed the ideal opportunity for an extended trip to Hawassa, taking the Monday off.  In true Ethiopian style I arranged all of this on the day before departure.  There was no problem, in fact the dean and vice-dean were most supported and the vice-dean even took me down to the bus station to meet his friend who would help out sorting the ticket.  It turns out this friend actually runs the bus station and he certainly made sure that I would be looked after on the journey in and even arranged for the bus to collect me at the college gates.

It’s quiet at the college gates at 6am.

6am Saturday morning I was on my way to Hawassa.  We had the usual breakfast stop in Bore, but I had already eaten so I went for a little wander- although never too far from the bus, for fear of returning to find it gone.  It was quite a pause so I probably strolled up and down the street until they locals were sick of the sight me, although I did notice one try to take a sneaky picture with the phone in his camera.

By 11.30am I was back in the bustle of Hawassa.  Sadly not at the bus station where I was to meet fellow volunteer and Titem fan, Todd.  The short bajaj drive was going to cost anything from 10 to 20birr.  I resisted and with the help of a local managed to get it for the correct price of 2birr.

Lunch somewhere in Hawassa

It was good to be back in Hawassa.  Not least the prospect of having a proper shower at Chez Todd and as the weekend unfolded there was no lack of adventure to be had.  Sunday was a particular highlight as a small group of we Ferenji (foreigners) jumped on a boat and headed out across Lake Hawassa to see the Hippos.

The boat – hoping the hippos are friendly – don’t think this will last long if not!

How wonderful it was to be out on the water and being on the boat was enjoyment enough so the added bonus of seeing a few contented hippos breaking the surface was a delight.

It may have seen some in a zoo somewhere but have never been out near them in the water.  It would have been nice to see them out of the water, but in the midday sun, they were clearly taking the sensible option to keep cool.

“I’m keeping cool”

I am sure I’ll get the opportunity to go again and maybe this time attempt for an early morning outing.

Hippos in the water

On the Monday I was taken by Todd to tour the English Language Improvement Centre (ELIC) at the teacher training college in Hawassa.  One of the plethora of tasks the dean has expressed a desire to see me undertake is the creation of an ELIC in Adola.  This seemed to be too good an opportunity to miss, especially considering that this ELIC is a model for the whole of Ethiopia.  It was quite impressive to see some of the equipment that they had and because of their status as a model they had lots of money given to them by various organisations.  While this is no doubt wonderful for them, I can’t help but think it rather devalues their status as model- unless of course all the other ELICs will get the same level of funding!

Every ELIC comes with a free monkey…

Nevertheless, it certainly gave me some ideas and one of Todd’s colleagues at the regional board of education provided me with some great posters to help decorate my classroom back in Adola (as an aside, within two days of putting these up someone had taken them!  No doubt they are no decorating some student’s wall.  I shall be listening out for any students showing significant improvement in their English and collar them!)

Monday afternoon we popped into the Bus station so I could get my return ticket for the next day.  The plan had been to head back about mid-morning.  Ethiopia had other plans.  I was informed that I would need to be at the bus station at 5am to get on the bus to Adola.  Having expected at least another morning in Hawassa this came as a bit of a shock, not least because I had hoped to take advantage of Hawassa’s broader range of retail establishments to stock up on a few things.  There consequently followed a mad rush around the town to purchase the items desired.  By some amazing stroke of circumstance the mission was a success, although did require the purchase of an additional bag to contain all the new items.  My favourite purchase and at the last minute too- the shop having been shut when we went by in the afternoon, but open in the evening.

The day was rounded off with a delightful meal with my hippo watching companions, mainly in the dark thanks to lack of power!

Monday night dinner in the dark

Tuesday morning, in the pre-dawn dark I made my contented way towards the bus station, dodging barking and possibly rabid dogs.  I didn’t get there at 5, rather about quarter to 6 and the bus was almost full already.  For the first time I slipped onto the back seat.  We stopped as usual at Bore where I was beckoned into a restaurant for breakfast by a fellow traveller.  When I came to pay at the end I discovered he had paid for me.  This person had barely spoken to me and had certainly never met me before – I am constantly overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people here.

I know it’s mean- I’ve held off until the end about the Titem Special burger.  Did I get one?  See for yourself…

At last!