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Published: October 27th 2011
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From the red sea to the dead sea, I think I left off just before our trip to Madaba in Jordan.
Madaba was pretty good- we went and saw a church, and some others went to Jerash, but I think we all agreed that it isn't a necessary part of the Jordan trip. When we left from Madaba we headed to Amman, via the Dead Sea. You'd be surprised by how much greenery is on the way to the dead sea- but, there you go! We were told that if we had any cuts we would definitely feel them once we got into the sea (which is crazy salty). Fortunately I wasn't one of the few who had shaved their legs that morning haha but trust me, there was plenty of stinging on my end too! Swimming was also crazy- you'll try to get into a rhythm, but the buoyancy will send you flying onto your back.
One of the options at the Dead Sea was to have a mud bath- using minerals and salt from the dead sea they cover you top to bottom/foot in mud. Check out the photos- a black Sarah- anything is possible! Hehe Plus,
the mud stained my skin so I actually still have a slight 'tan'.
After the Dead Sea we headed straight to Amman, to the most beautiful hotel we have stayed in! We even had a lounge room in our room haha sooo luxurious after backpacker type hotels. I did 'some' shopping in Amman- mainly clothes (what's a girl to do when she steps foot in Zara?!). Enough shopping to get Mama Cass up to 30 kg hehe i didn't get charged for the excess baggage though- i think because I was standing in queue for AGGEESS behind an (I hate to say it) Australian tour group.
The flight on Ethiopia Air was pretty good- not many people, so I had 3 seats to stretch across while I watched one of the most emotional movies ever- The First Grader. I'm not quite sure what the air hostesses thought when they saw the only 'farenche' (white person) on the plane crying hahaha
The first night I was here I came straight to my host family's home- they are such a lovely family! Mum, dad and 4 children. they all speak great english (except the baby...) but I'm trying to
Dead Sea
Anyone forget their bathers? learn Amharic. I've already picked up a few bits and pieces! I have my own room, but there are 2 beds- I'm not sure if there will be another volunteer joining me with this family while i'm here, or if it will just be me. I've already decorated the room, Australian flag included C=) The family also has 2 dogs- 2 guard dogs. They are kept in a box thing during the day, but are let out around bedtime. There's a cute little one, but also a german shepherd that i havent seen/met yet. Tbh, I'm not too keen to meet him! He spends the whole night barking at any unfamiliar noises/smells, and the children told me that he'll probably only bite me the first few times I meet him. Comforting, no? My room is next to the maid's room, but the bathroom I can use is inside- so if I need to go to the toilet through the night I need to bash the wall next to me for the maid to restrain the dogs while I go inside and come back out. The last two nights I've learnt to hold on. The house is also right near a
massive mosque, so without fail each morning at about 4am there is a call to prayer. There are also a lot of Somalian refugees in this area.
Yesterday and today were inductions to the city and the shelter I'll be working at. Addis is a beautiful city!! Like a cross between Kampala/Nairobi and Kigali. Aaaannnddd, there's a sheraton hotel- where I plan to spend most of my weekends lying by the pool :-P
There are lots of beggers here though- including lots of people on the sides of the road with rotting flesh. The only thing you can do is walk by and ignore them- it's incredibly sad to see the conditions some of these people are living in- even sadder to know that there are people here that are even worse off.
So, tomorrow I start my project. I met the girls at the shelter today but didn't have any time to get to know them. There are already 2 other volunteers working at the shelter, but they will both be leaving within the next month-ish. I'm already thinking about ways I could use the money donated.
Walking and public transport on my own tomorrow
Now you see me...
Now you don't
Mud bath at the Dead Sea for the first time to get to and from work- I'll be taking the shared taxis (mini buses)- fingers crossed I don't end up in a different country! ;-)
Hopefully some more interesting stuff will happen over the next few days that I can convey to you in a witty anecdotal way. Until then, I think it would be best if you didn't hold your breath... haha
Lots of love to everyone
xoxo
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Dennis
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Mud bath
Al Jolson....is that you in the mud bath?