Geo: 7.05, 38.4667After treking and kind of roughing it, having some creature comforts is nice. The Lakeside Motel is a great place, I only was able to get a room because of a last minute cancellation. It's relatively new, spacious, CLEAN and nicely appointed. Plus, next door, a great Italian Restaurant, the Dolce Vita. Hawassa, was formerly named Awassa, lots of signs are one or the other. It's located in the Rift Valley, flat lands, nice lake with great bird viewing. The city is large, and has a modern cosmopolitan feel. Located on a lake, I've decided to eat as much fish as possible while I stay. The Tillapia is as fresh as you can get. One morning I stroll down to the fish market, watch the local fishermen bringing in their early morning catch. Most ... read more

Geo: 8.55, 39.2667I think the pin location is wrong, but I'm not going to try to correct it now.. (From Carole - pin is correct now)Yesterday I left Dire Dawa at 5:30 AM for the trip east to Awash, a small town just outside the Awash NP. I'm on the express bus to Addis, they do not stop to pick up additional passengers and only drop of people upon request. I've requested to be dropped off, but the driver forgets and I find myself 50 KM past Awash. I just decide to skip it, was an iffy stop because arranging transportation into the park can be a problem. While riding I have a great conversation with a 25 year old law school graduate who is now an associate dean in Dire Dawa. So now I'm in ... read more

Geo: 9.30463, 42.1326OK, let's get 'the land of chat' clarified. If you've seen the movie 'Blackhawk Down', you will be familiar with chat. Chat is a mildly narcotic leaf that is chewed and gives some kind of high? It is legal, and apparently this is the best cultivation area. It is used throughout Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and who knows where else. I will not be able to give you a first hand report on it's affect, but I've had numerous chances to purchase, for pennies, and try. I have not seen anyone here have the same kind of results as depicted in the movie. I think it has more of a low key affect, kind of relaxing. It's mostly an afternoon and evening social thing, both men and women participate.Most of the chat being shipped to ... read more

Geo: 9.02274, 38.7468Last night when eating dinner, a mid 20's Ethiopian couple, Youhanis and Solome, started a conversation with me. I commented to them they both looked very fit and strong. They inform me they enjoy running and going to the gym, and invite me to join them the next morning. At first I'm a little hesitant, the meet time is to be 5:15 AM, but I think, what the heckl.At the appointed time, they meet me outside the guest house where I am staying. A single bar up the street is still going strong, or at least the music is. We do a .5 KM jog over to Chuchill Ave. where our running will begin. Churchill Ave. is better described a a true boulevard. It is a steady incline from the city center to the ... read more

Geo: 9.02274, 38.7468All is well and the Timkat Religious Festival is certainly something to be seen and experienced, unlike anything from the western world. Briefly, Timkat is the most important of nine major Christian Orthodox holidays. It celebrates the baptism of Jesus, Timkat means 'immersion'. In most of Ethiopia it is a two day festival, but in Addis a third day is added. With the aid of information gathered from an article from the Ethiopian Airlines magazine, and advice from some locals, I'm feeling OK with whatever happens. Timkat in Addis is BIG....there will be tens of thousands joing the celebration, including at least a few farangis. I've been warned of potential pick pockets, but I've adjusted how I carry my belongings and feel 'pick-pocket proof', or at least close. I've even included dental floss for ... read more