Another day of Touring and Shopping

Forgot to mention on the last blog that last evening we went to the hotel called Dreamland outside of Addis. I am sure had we gotten there before the sun went down it would have been beautiful and those that read this blog would have been blessed with marvelous pictures of one of the seven crater lakes outside of Addis. Unfortunately, we left at 5 p.m. for an hour drive outside the city but did not get there until closer to 8. Believe me, the road we took, which is the main road between the Djibouti port and Addis is not a road for a timid driver. From the time we departed the hotel to the time we arrived at Dreamland, it was bumper to bumper with cars passing - making a 2 lane road into 3, 4 and even sometimes 5 lanes. meanwhile the entire way, the road is lined with people walking and standing and selling stuff and crossing (or at least trying to). I asked Belay, who took us to eat at Dreamland, if people were ever killed on this road and he said it is considered the most dangerous highway in Africa. And, having been on it, I would not disagree. Driving back in the pitch dark, you can barely see people as they perform like the old Frogger game trying to get across the road.

Anyhow, today was very enjoyable as we visited Mt. Entoto, shopped in one of the local markets, had lunch at the Sheraton, re-visited the orphanage where Meti spent most of her time and then participated ina coffee ceremony at our friend Seble's mother's home.

We started the morning with drive up to the top of Mt. Entoto. It is the highest point around Addis. Addis has an elevation of nearly 8000 ft at some points, but mostly around 7 to 7500 ft. The top of Mt Entoto is nearly 10,000 feet up. All along the road, people are walking up and down the mountain. Near the top, there are groves and groves of Eucalyptus trees that Emperor Menilik II brought back from Australia. Like kudzu in the south, they hard difficult to contain and have driven many of the indigenous trees out of Ethiopia. Their roots are very deep and they rob water from other trees. They also grow very quickly so the people can cut them down for fire wood or for use in scaffolding and they will grow back in no time.

The main way that the wood gets down from the mountain top to the city center is either by donkey or by women that they call "firewood women". These women make two trips a day to the top and bottom of the mountain, carrying about 50 to 75 pounds of wood on their back for about $12 per week.

At the top of the mountain, there was an Ethiopian military outpost - for the obvious reason that you can see 360 degrees all around Addis. It is now used as a national police outpost. Still strange to me to see so many automatic weapons being carried by military personnel as well as the police and the private guards that are hired by all the major hotels and retail outlets. We had a nice family picture taken by an artist that has a little studio at the top and showed us the city from above pinting out the various landmarks. We also bought a few of his paintings.

From Entoto, we went back down the mountain and stopped at one of the big shopping areas along the way to get the girls each a traditional Ethiopian dress. After Leigh went to about 60 maybe 95 different little shops, we managed to find the 3 we were looking for. All around these shopping areas are children begging and wanting to wash your shoes or whatever for a few cents. The government really discourages people from giving to these begging children as they are trying to get them off the street. Giving to them enables them and keeps them on the street begging instead of being in school. But, it is soooooo difficult as many look soooo needy ad we have so much. There were 2 little boys that came over while we were getting in the car and they kept saying, "Please sir, just one birr. I will pray for you for life." So I handed them each a birr (about $.11) and they were so happy. And I do not know how word got out so faast, but next thing you know - before I could even get into the car, we were swarmed by tens of boys asking for money.

We then met Ryan for lunch at the Sheraton - supposedly the most elegant hotel in all of Africa. Not having been to all of Africa, it would be difficult for me to disagree. It is very, very beautiful. Much like the hotels in Vegas. So out of place here though it seemed. We ate by the pool and as you can see, so that you do not have to see the poverty surrounding the hotel, they have built a tall wall and painted a mural all around the pool area.

We took advantage of the surroundings and pulled a couple of chairs together and made a lovely bed for Meti where whe was able to nap for a bit.

After leaving the hotel, we went back to the orphanage where Meti spent most of her time to show her to the director as we had promised. All of the care givers were so excited to see her and how she had grown.

Then our friend, Seble, invited us to her mother's home where we had a coffee celebration. Since coffee originated here and is a major export, many things revolve around it. The celebration involves starting with raw coffee beans and roasting, grinding and making fresh coffee all by hand. I don't drink coffee, but Leigh said it was absolutely delicious.

Then it was back to the hotel for a light dinner and a long effort get Meti to bed. She had been going to bed so well the first two nights but not last night - 1 1/2 hours of pleasant screaming in our ears. She did go down eventually and still awakened for her 2 a.m. feeding. Today she is a bundle of giggles.

Love to all, especially our dear Isabella and Talia. It was so nice to hear your voices last night!!