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Published: November 5th 2011
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Nov. 3
A little info about our accommodation in Addis. The Wabe Shebelle Hotel, where the team is staying, is a long established hotel, probably formerly posh, where many visiting groups stay. Presently, we are sharing the facility with a medical volunteer team from Seattle, who are involved in training staff at a local hospital, 180 newly minted Ethiopian doctors, who are in training before they are dispersed to complete their 5-year term of required service to repay the cost of their education; a male athletic team of some sort and various tour groups and individuals. The hotel is a bit shabby and was recently returned by the government to the grandson of Haile Selassie. Perhaps it will be restored to its prior grandeur. It appears that locals are subject to frisking and bag searches, regardless of their status as visitor or lodger, while foreigners are not. Staff are almost universally polite and helpful. I have had extra help in recovering my luggage and I'm not sure if this is standard or because my daughter's Ethiopian friend's cousin put in a word to the Prince to take good care of me.
The work today consisted of finishing a paint job on
Aby, Emebet and Me
Sable's cousin and husband in front of Lucy Gazebo restaurant an 8-stall rest room at a primary school for children as young as 3. The structure was started by a team from the Netherlands. It is situated directly next to the existing 2-stall facility which appears to be 2 holes in the dirt, where the little kids come in, sometimes in groups of 3 and squat and urinate directly on the floor. Now they will be able to pee on nice white tile floors! Currently, only the 3-5-year old classes were in session and the older children will be returning next Monday. During our break we were served refreshments in the principal's office. We consumed our tea and bread in the schoolyard and were the object of much curiosity as the children were also on break, getting snacks before having recess. Our presence caused chaos, especially when the cameras came out and everyone wanted to see their own photos. We did the obligatory "hokey pokey" demo and sing-along, followed by the traditional "heads, shoulders, knees and toes" exercise. Needless to say, we brought the house down and were kind of regretful that we returned 200+ now hyped-up kids to their teachers to educate. It is also unnecessary to comment on
the incredible adorableness of all the children. Our karma was having to finish the painting in a heavy rainstorm after lunch.
Tomorrow we will return to our first site to mud the latrine walls with actual mud.
This evening we had a surprise birthday dinner celebration at the Ayu Cafe and Bar, where a small band sang Happy Birthday to one of our team members whose birthday actually turned out to be next month. We tried to stay for a traditional music and dance show, but we all started to fade and we opted to return to the hotel. There will be another opportunity and tomorrow we will only work in the morning.
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