http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Africa , Ethiopia en-us Mon, 09 Nov 09 09:51:25 +0000 Mon, 09 Nov 09 09:51:25 +0000 My mom has informed me that my blog entries are overly negative or always end on a bad note so I've resolved that this one will be only good...which is easy because I can't think of anything bad that has happened in the last week. In Kampala I stayed with a young Rwandan man who grew up in Uganda and had strangely worked on the film crew of Last King of Scotland and so had pictures with all the http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-451684.html So here is the news though I guess most of you know this by now Sara is pregnant and going to have a baby We are both delighted as we were led to believe it was not medically possible.For many years we had hauled ourselves through the NHS infertility system not much fun lovely nurses less lovely consultants without success.After years of poking prodding samples scans http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Benishangul-Gumuz-Region/Asosa/blog-451360.html At breakfast on Sunday we are joined by 2 more members of the tour group who have just arrived from the airport. Matt has not slept in over 24 hours but still decides to join us for a stroll around Addis Ababa. Jane votes for sleep.Nick and I have both read Philip Marsden's book The Barefoot Emperor about Emperor Tewderos. We are both very keen to find the replica of Sevastapol this is the ca http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-450241.html On first appearance the hotel seems a bit shabby but it's just about what I expected. The hotels I'll be staying in are described as midrange but that is midrange by Ethiopian standards. The room seems to be clean and the staff here are really friendly. I have one of those showers where you can never be sure if you're going to get wet or get electrocuted when you stand under it. But I have hot http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-450232.html The first daygetting from home to Addis Ababa was always going to be a long one. But it's even longer than it needs to be because of the choices I have taken. The cheapest flight my travel agent could find was with Emirates so I have flown further East than I needed to in order to spend some time waiting in Dubai before coming back West to Addis Ababa.Secondly I've broken my journey a couple of http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-449944.html I've made a book on Blurb.com with photos and commentary of my trip to Ethiopia in April. Blurb are currently having a photobook competition so I've decided to enter the book in the Travel section. The short list is determined by public vote so I need people to log on and vote for this book before November 9th.Click here to vote for Undiscovered Ethiopia. If you're not already registered with blur http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/blog-447769.html Jijiga http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Somali-Region/blog-445838.html Few nations if any can boast the historic splendour of Ethiopia evidence of whose extraordinary past is everywhere from its rockhewn churches still places of living worship to its ancient historical traditions and magnificent cultures. Ethiopia is a nation of surprises full of diversity and contrast from the ancient to the modern.Legend has it that Emperor Menelik I the son of the Queen http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/blog-445518.html Duration NOV 15 2009 to NOV 26 2009 www.pharezethiopiatour.comDay 1 SUN 15 NOV Arrive in Addis Ababa to warm welcome at the airport and then transfer to your hotel. Morning will be free. Afternoon start your sightseeing tour of Addis Ababa starting your tour from the Trinity Cathedral visit to the National Museum archaeological and historical which has the best collection of Ethiopia http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Southern-Nations-Region/Turmi/blog-444987.html EthiopiaI booked my trip to Ethiopia on the same day as I decided to quit work. Itrsquos one of those places Irsquove always wanted to visit. So as soon as my holidays arenrsquot constrained to school holidays I can go to Ethiopia at what I think will be the best time of year. It should be the end of their rainy season now so I was expecting it be hot and sunny but still very green. Most peo http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/blog-444191.html So onto ICT or InCountry Training.Where three current volunteers and two PO staff offer to welcomeherdbriefassistlecture and generally introduce 36 new Ferengi volunteers to the people's customs traditions language and culture of Ethiopia.Surely an easy task Er not really So why exactly did I agree to do itWell firstly I am a volunteer. I guess volunteering is my thing....and also t http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Benishangul-Gumuz-Region/Asosa/blog-441051.html The past weekend was a religious holiday in Ethiopia. Meskel is the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni Saint Helena in the fourth century. The day is spent preparing for the evening service where people gather firewood for their bonfires buy daisies for decorative purposes and typically dress in white clothing. It is generally a peaceful http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-440825.html What a great name to a great community... we found some info in the guide It's a small community isolated secular believes that education is the key to development so one can find adults attending primary school they are socialists they believe in Gender equality and childrenrsquos rights the kids are not allowed to beg money from foreigners and visitors the community charges the same pr http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Amhara-Region/Bahir-Dar/blog-440465.html Tafa or Tafash if you are good friends or femaleRough Translation where have you beenI've been in Addis helping train the 36 new volunteers well 33 volunteers and 3 accompanying partners though that's another story For now I'll stick to nonICT InCountry Training news only.Holy Light BatmanBefore I flew to Addis we had been enjoying the extra power in Assosa. Instead of be http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Benishangul-Gumuz-Region/Asosa/blog-440078.html Not a drop to drink. Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee and legend has it that Kaldi the shepherd first discovered the effects of the illusive drink in the ancient province of Kaffa when his goats became strangely hyperactive after feasting on the red cherry. Nevertheless despite its heritage and reputation as one of the worldrsquos finest producers the coffee in Ethiopia leaves a http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-439891.html Dette er s mit frste officielle indlg. Jeg er blevet bedt om at stte mig ind i hvordan det hele fungerer INDEN jeg tager af sted hvilket giver mening. Tak far. Under mit ophold vil jeg s ofte som det er muligt holde jeg underrettet om hvordan jeg har det hvad jeg laver om jeg stadig lever og om hvor meget jeg savner jer alle sammenStay tuned xDMaria. http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-439367.html Well I'm kind of responding to the blog seems to be stuck in Europe comment from one of my good blog reading customers...... and as I'm providing a service here I guess I ought to be sensitive to my consumers wishes and do a blog from where we are supposed to be blogging from EthiopiaApologis to Christine to whom I promised that the next blog would be about our day in La Rochelle. That will http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Benishangul-Gumuz-Region/Asosa/blog-430293.html ...dtruit par un idiotC'est une entre trs spciale de blog au sujet d'un jour trs agrable dehors pour tous les nous Dave Dee Sara et Alan dans la ville franaise de La Rochelle. Pour honorer nos amis de l'autre ct de la Manche que j'essaye de crer un blog crit entirement en franais Malheureusement mon Franais d'OLevel est trs trs rouill et plutt que passent 2 semaines rech http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Benishangul-Gumuz-Region/Asosa/blog-428998.html ...and the Ferengis are in the pool Dave and Dee had very kindly rented both a gite and a car for the week in France. The main reason was Ondine's wedding of course but we were also really looking forward to a true blue skies and beer trashy novel by the pooltype holiday We also were keen to enjoy the variety of food and drink tastes that are generally so limited in Assosa. Apples golf c http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Benishangul-Gumuz-Region/Asosa/blog-428700.html Photos of our trip to Babogaya Lake and surrounding area. http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Ethiopia/Addis-Ababa-Region/Addis-Ababa/blog-427397.html