Blogs from Southern Nations Region, Ethiopia, Africa - page 4

We can't say that we weren't warned. Other travellers told us that the Omo Valley would be a lousy experience. Our Dragoman leaders warned us not to expect too much in terms of interaction. Our expectations of the Omo Valley and the visits to the tribes living in the Valley were low as we travelled in through the beautiful scenery. I was prepared to be disappointed but I wasn't quite so prepared to be angry. The Omo is home to a number of tribal people of Ethiopia together known as the Southern Tribal Peoples. It is the home of the Mursi people - famous for the practice of its women in placing increasingly large labrets in their lips - and of a dozen or so other tribes including the Ari, Hamer, Tsamai and Bana, that are ... read more

Geo: 5.25, 37.4833Mile's had blown his rear shocker seal again, as we approached Omorate the night before thus a slow ride. The kids in this area have a fair reputation for doing anything to get attention (and thus money, pens, caramellos) from foreigners. Unfortunately this practice has developed into throwing rocks at the vehicles. Darren and I stopping at regular intervals to chase the little brats, in an effort to demonstrate retribution for their actions. We had met others with smashed windscreens from the rocks which is really not on. Unfortunately they are uneducated people and communicating in any way is impossible hence the problem is systemic. Camping facilities have deteriorated to stopping in the car park of hotels with no water or toilets or showers (hmm there is a concept). So summarising we are all ... read more

Let’s see… It is one o’ clock on a Tuesday or Wednesday. I am at my house being completely lost at the fact I have had electricity for some part of the day since Saturday. I had power all day Saturday and Sunday, which never happens. I am just waiting for the power to get cut off for a good three or four days in a row. I am stocked on candles so that won’t be a problem. Chris Woodling or Biker as some people know him came out for a week and we had a great time. I won’t talk about that week because I plan on letting him do it with it being his first week in Africa. I am sure he will have some amazing observations and it will give you a break ... read more

Hello Everyone, I am sure you all have forgotten about me since my last post. Let me catch you up-to-date. If you remember, I was volunteering at the HIV/AIDS NGO Forum. The newsletter I put together went to the printer. The coordinator is getting a lot of complements from it. Anyways after all that was finished, I went in to ask about starting a new project. Getnet(coordinator) had an idea for a health service mapping project which sounds pretty extensive. The goal is to survey every health service organization; community based organization, foreign NGO, as well as all faith based organizations. After about thirty minutes, we had drafted up a proposal for around $25,000USD. Getnet told me not to come to the funding meeting because when Ethiopians see White people they see dollar signs. There must ... read more

Hey Everyone. I know its been a while but I figured you just got tired of reading about me receiving packages and what I had to eat. Now I have some actual news. The Head Guy from the Aids Resource Council came down to Hawassa the other day to talk with his new Peace Corps volunteer, Rich. Rich is a pretty unique character; 6 years in the military and felt he wasn’t doing anything good for the world. So he joined the Peace Corps. He is doing IT work for the ARC trying to setup a computer lab for them to use. While Rich has been doing this I have been getting out and meeting the local NGOs. So Rich’s boss wanted to have lunch with me and talk about what gaps I have found in ... read more