Selam everyone, This is just a short entry to take advantage of an internet cafe I've found here. And to kill time as well as there's jack all to do here besides drink beer and read.
I'm in Shashemene which is a nowhere transit town at the nexus of about 3 or 4 main roads. If you head south from Addis Ababa you're bound to hit it.
The town consists of an asphalt strip lined with bars and hotels with a labyrinthe series of muddy tracks stretching out around it. Its pretty crap (my nickname: Shittymene) but has a good vibe. People are passing through here, active, going places. It lends it a real air of immediacy.
We passed through on our way down south and our reception was less than cordial. Beggers thronged around the car and kids ran along shouting "You, fuck you!" at us. Not nice.
There's no avoiding it though so I rolled back into town about 11 this morning. The difference in my reception was immediately noticable. No one really pays much notice to a lone farangi struggling under a heavy pack, weaving his way through the mud and donkey carts. I think I'm more comedy value than anything else now - plenty of "hello" and "welcome to shashemene" and only a couple of "fuck you" and "you, money, 1 birr!".
I'm off to Bale National Park tomorrow to go hiking for 6 days in the mountains. The buses start early here so I'll be humping my gear down the road at about 5am. I'll fill you in about the ridiculous bus system here (Lewis Carroll must have designed it for a laugh) as well as my adventures in the south when I get back to Addis Ababa in about 10 days.
Or maybe tomorrow if I sleep in or my bus is full in the morning!
Take care everyone!!
PS: Dodgey homemade beer from local markets gives you the shits! That's one of the key lessons I've learned so far!
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