Day 15 - Awassa

Trip Start Aug 07, 2007
1
14
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Trip End Nov 07, 2007


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Flag of Ethiopia  ,
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Breakfasted just 30km outside Dilla.  Had a selection of pastries and a teeth-furringly strong Ethiopian coffee, which is served in a shot glass with so much sugar it is unable to dissolve and sits at the bottom of the glass looking menacingly at you as if saying "go on make my day...I'll tell your dentist".  Also tried an Amharic drink called makiatoo, which I found to be a shot of coffee with a small amount of frothed milk.  There is a surprising amount of Italian influence here (linguistically and culinary) given they were only here about 6 years and were hated throughout this time (if my historical memory serves me correctly).

Was having big troubles with my clutch since my fall.  Also very difficult to start the beast at all.  Not possible to idle the engine and if it stalls can't restart.  Think problems are connected.  Was getting worried.  V unlikely to be able to get a new clutch anywhere for 4,000km Lake Awassa - Evening
Lake Awassa - Evening
 .  Was getting worse too.  Rolled into Awassa (Awasa) trying not to stop at all but stalled it at an intersection and had to push it to the side of the road in gear (N being impossible to shift to)...right outside a motorbike spares shop claiming Honda parts in the window!  Serendipity shines on Mr Clark!

One new clutch lever, a tinker or two (by me!), a new bolt or three, a new mirror and a pat on the head later he was purring like the cat that got the cream and looking like a new man.

Might have a slow puncture in the rear but will deal with that tomorrow.  Booked into a lakeside hotel and had a little chill.  Getting some clothes washed and by all accounts there is a good chance of a hot shower at some point today.  Happy.
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Comments

rabegao
rabegao on Aug 22, 2007 at 04:40PM

Ethiopian food?
yay! you seem so happy in ethiopia! are you liking the njera yet? i know adis in dar might not be very authentic - what's real ethiopian food like? hope the good luck continues..! love you!

amy_n-b
amy_n-b on Aug 22, 2007 at 07:02PM

Injera and Wat!
Hmmm... Sounds like Ethiopia is just amazing. I have to say it has been on my list of places that I really want to go, since I first saw pictures of those cool churches. And the food, yum!
Always interesting hearing about your adventures, keep them coming, and stay lucky.
Amy
PS If you are really in kiswahili withdrawal, we could comment in it :)

sebfalk
sebfalk on Aug 22, 2007 at 10:44PM

wow!
Hi Charlie, your trip (voyage?) sounds amazing - and a bit scary! Just found this blog and read all the entries so far - whetting my appetite for probable summer holiday next year in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Keep it coming, and I look forward to seeing facebook photos of the beard as it comes along... Seb Falk

bhartwright
bhartwright on Aug 23, 2007 at 05:09AM

Watch out for Sudan (2)
Hello mate
Wow, you have made good progress (as have I, having read all of your blogs thus far).
Hope all goes well for the rest of it, must say I am very jealous as the most exciting thing I do most days is check out where the Hang Seng closed... zzzzz, I think you may say!
Cheers for now, Ben (and Caragh)

charlesaclark
charlesaclark on Aug 25, 2007 at 09:54AM

Re: Ethiopian food?
Hey Babe

Addis in Dar is surprisingly authentic...perhaps not as hot though and about 10 times the price! That injera does hit me in the same way as ugali, although only after a whole plateful.

Hope your job hunting is going well. Call you when I get to Addis in Addis.

charlesaclark
charlesaclark on Aug 25, 2007 at 10:01AM

Re: Injera and Wat!
Ni wazo wazuri lakini hakuna Baba Maliaka hapa na najua maneno machache tu...although...kamusi ya mtandano inapatikana. Uethiopia ni pazuri sana na wana chakula kingi - siyo kama pigcha ya television ;) lakini iko mvua sana kotekote. Kila siku. Pole sana mimi!

Ninatumaini unafurahi kuhusu mwanza na utafitui na vitu vyote. Sema habari watu wote wa Mwanza. xx

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