Wabi-Shebele Hotel Addis Ababa

... staying nearly three weeks, here is why. <br><br>Our first day in Ethiopia took us from the arid, desolated and corrugated roads of northern Kenya into the green, lush, cultivated and beautifully tarred roads of the Ethiopian highlands. Driving through the small villages dotting the hills felt a little like a celebrity procession. Kids, as well as adults, rushed out of their neat and clean houses to wave and greet us with huge smiles. When we waved backs, the smiles seemed, nearly ...

... the plane waited for an hour for the flight from khartoum, and everyone who was on the flight that we had been on the day before made their coneection. We were not very happy about this, but our 6th free meal on the plane made us slightly happier. Unfortunately, because we waited for an hour on the runway, our flight was late into johannesburg, giving us a very short amount of time to make our connecting flight...

... ies to ancient rock-hewn churches and oth** significant archaeological sites, to striking landscapes and colorful tribes. I was also looking forward to the weath**, as Ethiopia boasts "13 months of Sunshine" - alluding along with its typically glorious weath** to the ancient Coptic calendar to which it adh**es, which has an extra month of 5 or 6 days. Visiting Ethiopia is also the easiest and quickest way to turn back the clock, since their calendar is 7 1/2 years ...

... money whenever we were stuck in traffic. Such difference between the very luxurious hotel I stayed in and the tin shacks that most local people lived in. Only the main road appeared to be surfaced. Lots of huge holes in roads with no protection. People herding sheep and goats along the main roads in the centre of town!

... the world of sports is how it provides a common ground, where people from different cultures, different backgrounds, different situations in life can meet and engage each other. The rules and goals are clearly defined and universal, the environment is familiar and controlled, the competition connects people from all over the world. I might not understand all the joys and pains associated with being an Ethiopian child growing up on the streets of Addis Ababa ...

... did messaging in the business center, made final preparations with the manager for tomorrow's meeting hall and food, then rendezvousd with our new driver, Tom. We spent four hours touring lively Addis Ababa, lunching near the city university and Orthodox cathedral. We toured the former palace of deposed Emperor Haille Selasse who was assasinated by his military successor here in 1969. It is now a primitive national ...

... up the arms race let alone feed and clothe its own people. We had read the same scenario and praise for Regan in "Ethiopia: A View From Inside" by Michael Lentakis. Having never lived under an oppressive communist regime it is hard for us to understand how important an event the fall of the Soviet Union was to a country like Ethiopia. Apparently Ethiopians of his generation give Regan the credit. People like that have the "big man" view of history, but probably most Americans ...

... the bio-sand water filters (www.manzwaterinfo.ca) we will build. In the evening, we will interview 10 students who are currently seeking scholarships so that they may continue their post-secondary studies. Early Thursday morning, the delegation leaves Addis Ababa on a domestic flight north to Mekele, where we will then travel by a caravan of SUVs into the remote ...

... arrange it for us. Another mission accomplished! Then we just went around the corner and got in at another cafe, had a plate of salad and tiramisu, they were so fine. I couldn't imagine how awesome the food is in Addis Ababa! We spent the rest of the day just walking around that area. We had a pizza at a mall near our host's place before heading back. Again the pizza was great! We needed to go to bed early tonight as the minibus will pick us up the next day at 4am!