Goha Hotel Gonder

Destination 374

km187'717

My journey across Ethiopia continues. Another part of this beatiful country could be discovered, even if I have discovered places, I didn't want to see... It was a lot talked about people throwing things at travelers. Here my experiences along the highway to Gonder:

Number of items thrown ...

... wallet. It even gives me a buzz, like speedy stuff. Too bad there's no cure for bad air. Respiratory problems seem the norm here, everybody coughing, but I've seen it all before in northern Thai burning season. I don't notice any significant burning here, but suspect it's a combination of smoke and dust. The skies seem too choked up to cry, but that's the only thing that might help. Sneezing is the problem in the pepper department of ...

... similar activity had resulted in automatic security precautions by my credit card company throughout my trip. Luckily, all worked out, as we were able to use the bank machine, which did not chew up my card. We clearly angered the bank guard (complete with rifle from the 1930s or 40s), however, when I jumped over a chain rather than walking around it, and then Lydia tried to memorialize me at our life-saving cash machine with a photo. We then ...

... swimming attire" (tight stripy boxers) got me kicked out - oh the shame! We also hit a couple of clubs and got properly into the Tigrai dancing - by the end of the night we'd opened up big circles George's style! Off for four days trekking in the Simien Mountains this weekend. Scenery looks breathtaking and it'll be fun hiking with our guide, scout (complete with AK), mules and mule driver - all a formality to increase tourist spending.

... by a dynasty of Christian rulers of Ethiopia, who wanted to get away from their Muslim enemies. Meanwhile our stoic mechanic Thiemo took a damaged vehicle into a local workshop for chassis repairs, as we have two lay days here and may have a third one due to lack of progress with the repairs. The 'workshop' is a dusty and ...

... given huge responsibilities very early on (they are f1 equivalent) and, again a result of fear, rarely ask seniors for help which I fear is not conducive to good patient care. The ward I am working on, when not seeing emergencies or generally touring the hospital in search of pathology, is a male ward with 34 beds. Each intern is allocated 5 or so patients and cares for them more as an individual than as part of a team. There are ward rounds twice ...