An Adventure in Africa

INTRODUCTION

Well, we’ve finally achieved our dream and made it to Africa! What an amazing feeling.  This time it’s totally different as I’ll have to work for a living.

Let me tell you a little bit about it.  You probably know that I work for the European Union.  Not to bore you to death with the finer detail, last year an Africa Strategy was agreed between the EU and Africa, aimed at establishing a lasting partnership between us, based upon a relationship of equality.  This partnership has led to the opening of an EU Delegation to the African Union, an African organisation established in 2002 by several nations of the continent which aims to bring Africa together, to move forward together.  The headquarters of the AU Commission is Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Hands up who knows what Addis Ababa means – no?  New Flower, now award yourselves a mars bar.

I was very excited by the prospect of this new partnership idea so applied for a secretarial job and lo and behold they gave it to me – so here we are, living the dream.

17^th April

Welcome to our new life in Ethiopia and first impressions?  I have to say, pretty favourable.

Looking out of the window from the airport into Addis and it has the right feel, if you know what I mean.  Well, the sun’s shining so that’s already a plus factor.  Stepping outside, we expect to be hit by the heat and humidity of the city but it isn’t like that at all, the temperature’s remarkably fresh with a pleasant breeze.  Another plus point for Addis, the roads are actually quite decent.

We’re staying in a hotel initially, until we find permanent accommodation, here’s the view from our bedroom. 

I think it sums up Addis, a mixture between new construction, pretty gardens, rolling hills and shanty towns.

18^th April

Was awakened by a loud speaker at around 5.00 this morning.  For those of you used to living in Moslem areas, it will sound familiar – however this was a church and a sound we’ll soon become very accustomed to.

Driving back from my first day in the office in the dark I’m surprised to see that electric lights emanate from even the most modest kiosk.

19^th April

Weekend already and have to admit to being pretty tired and more than a little punch drunk after just a couple of days.  We’re adjusting to our new life and the altitude (2,300 m) which can make you slightly dizzy.  Walking up hills can really take the wind out of your sails, ok I hold my hands up, I’m unfit.

We jump into our blue and white Lada taxi, a sight you’ll see everywhere here in Addis, with Hermias our driver and Solomon our guide.

Our first port of call is the university which is the home of a little gem – the Ethiopian Ethnologial museum.  It’s a fascinating place and was once the home of Emperor Heile Sellassie.  Although there is no power today (don’t worry you get used to the no-power days and learn to work around them), we’re still able to see an awful lot and learn more about the peoples of Ethiopia and their evolvement.

Makush Restaurant for lunch - this is a pretty impressive Italian-style restaurant which doubles up as an art gallery, displaying Ethiopian contemporary paintings.

21^st -25^th  April

Whilst I get into the new job, Agy is touring around Addis house hunting.  Here’s a sample of what he’s seen so far:

Pretty impressive, but not quite what we’re looking for.  In actual fact it’s our aging dog Bilbo (14 and still going strong) who’s calling the shots in the house hunt. 

He’s never been on a plane before, let alone set a paw in Africa, so we want to find him somewhere with a really nice garden.

25^th  April

Today is Good Friday here in Ethiopia.  Everywhere we drive people are walking or carrying goats off to you know where. People are dressed in traditional white and parading to church.  The Ethiopian Church (Orthodox) is very strong in this country.

After a busy morning house hunting we stop for lunch and enjoy traditional Amharic fare of njera (looks like a giant pancake made from a cereal called teff), tibs (roasted meat) and doro wat (chicken in sauce).

I think we’ve found a house by the way.  It’s got a lovely garden and just a five-minute walk from work – keep your fingers crossed it works out.

26^th  April

After our first week in Addis, we’ve decided to venture out to the Rift Valley area and head south for Lake Langano.  We’re picked up by Dawit and Sam from Greenland Tours.  We immediately hit it off with these guys and are very impressed.  Just outside Addis we enjoy morning coffee at Dreamland restaurant besides a crater lake.

We keep heading south and the temperature is increasing.  The landscape is drier too.After a couple of hours we take a break at lake Zuway. Very impressive fresh-water lake, where the local fisherman regularly catch huge catfish.Not only the fisherman by the looks of things.

As we near lake Langano, the road deteriorates and we arrive on quite a rocky road where we suddenly find we have this bridge to cross.

Not quite a bridge, more a ship’s container actually.  How on earth is our vehicle going to get through that?  Only one thing for it, close the wing mirrors and breathe in…very sharply.

Phew, made it!  We’re pretty close to our destination of Wenney Lodge and it’s beautiful.  Our little chalet is very quaint so we decide to spend the afternoon chilling and taking in the local scenery.

Isn’t it bliss to be watching the birds.  Agy’s gone off to find refreshments and I’m here alone just soaking it all in.

He’s back now and just told me something I didn’t need to hear - while I was merrily watching my feathered friends, a crafty baboon was sneaking up behind me.  If I’d have known that I definitely would have freaked.

We enjoy an excellent dinner and meet a great English couple, Lilly and Robbie who are over here volunteering for a few months.  They will accompany us tomorrow on the journey home.

27^th April

After a great night’s sleep we get up fairly early and go on a little bird-watching walk.  Our guide is absolutely fantastic and so knowledgeable.  I’m in seventh heaven.

We break the journey home by visiting Abiata, a salt-water lake. It’s very impressive.

Lilly and Robbie – so sorry we lost your contact details.

What a great weekend and congratulations to Dawit, Sam and Greenland Tours, excellent jobbie.

11th May

Well, I said goodbye to Agy last Tuesday (boo hoo) – he had to return to Brussels to wrap things up.  Been pretty busy since, out with colleagues sampling such restaurants as the Greek Club and Phoenix (seafood restaurant where fish is specially shipped in from neighbouring Djibouti – excellent).

Today, I’m off with Hortensia, partner of my colleague, Rainer, to visit Kidane Meheret Childen’s Home.  The reason we’re going here is that Hortensia knows Giorgia who works for an Italian NGO called CIAI.  They have organised for former street kids of Addis to perform for orphanages as actors, acrobats and dancers.

We arrive at Meheret and the place is buzzing.  It’s a fantastic and rare opportunity for these children, who have little in their lives, to experience so much excitement.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking as words are hard to find in such a moving, inspirational environment.