Sunday 9th February 2003

It’s amazing what can happen in a week.

My bags finally arrived. I was much relieved though it is amazing what little you really need to get by.

A quick run down on some of the eventful happenings.

I’ve been on a visit to a college near to Addis. Very impressive surroundings and very studious students. I’ve been out to an authentic Ethiopian restaurant and been treated to the most fantastic display of Ethiopian dancing.

Some of the costumes and most of the movements made by the dancers were out of this world.

I’ve been on a river bed walk. The countryside is beautiful and really impressive. Covered in Eucalyptus trees.

I’ve had a meal at the British Embassy and went to a local party too.

So, you can see I’ve been busy and haven’t had time to get bored.

We moved out of the Red Cross centre on Thursday last and have been living in a hotel in Addis for the last four days.

An OK place but we did have to spray our beds for bugs and fleas as soon as we arrived.

The track leading down to the main road from the hotel is little more than piles of rubble but there is a lovely café across the main road and we eat breakfast there each day.

I had a Danish pastry and a coffee this morning and it cost me all of 50p.

I can hear someone in the next room with the flee spray. Doesn’t half stink I can tell you.

Communications are a bit rough at the moment and so I’m feeling a bit isolated but I will make some calls from the VSO office tomorrow.

Hotel prices for calls are just too high. E-mail access is difficult too. I will sign off for now. I’m going to the hotel bar for a beer.

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