Shashemene Scam

Shashemene is described in the Lonely Planet Guidebook as “a strong contender for the least-attractive-town-in-Ethiopia award”. Probably an apt description! Clare and I were going to Robe, and had to stay overnight in order to get the 6.30 bus from Shashemene. We decided that we may as well stay there, instead of making extra trips to Awasa - besides which it was not somewhere we would either like to stay in alone!

We found a hotel not too far from the bus station, and decided that sharing a room was preferable for economy, and for safety! It is possibly the cheapest hotel I have ever stayed in - working out at the equivalent of 80 pence for the room (i.e. 40 pence each!). We also managed to find a small place, no more than someone’s front room, selling cheap injera with beyainatu (vegetarian dish which comprises of lots of different sauces).

In the morning, after forcing our way through a gate (despite having mentioned the night before that we would be leaving at 5.15 am) we headed off to the bus station.

Along the rough road, a man who asked where we were going joined us - we told him that we could manage, but he continued alongside us. A second man ran past, and dropped what looked like a bundle of Birr, which our ‘friend’ pocketed. I suggested that he should catch the man up and return the cash, but he simply said, “God provides!” A few minutes later, the man came up to us, and asked if we had seen some money that he had dropped. We looked significantly at the man with the money burning a hole in his pocket, but he said that he didn’t have it and even showed his empty wallet. He then seemed to be suggesting that Clare and I had the cash. At which point they both started trying to search our pockets and bags, at which point I realised it was a scam - and said so very loudly. Clare suggested that we go to the Police to be searched - at which point, strangely, they both left. It was a nasty experience, but at least we got away with nothing being stolen.

Then, we had 7 hours of The Road with No Tarmac to get back to Robe. Progress is being made on the resurfacing works, with an additional lane being cleared for long stretches at a time. You never know, it may be completed within the proposed 2 years!

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