Gonder, Ethiopia

Okay everyone, I'm giving up on the Blog site. it is far to complicated for me to waste time trying to figure it out. Sad. I was hoping it would work. Emails will have to do and right now they are far more efficient.

Since last entry, we traveled north to Gonder, once the capital of Ethiopia. A town of around 200,000. I'm trying to be organized in what to say but my time is running short. Gonder is an interesting place. We visited a fortress where several palaces were built to house the various leaders of the country.
We had several great meals and coffee breaks. Then, yesterday, we drove from Gonder to Debark where the park headquarters are located for the Simeon Mtns National Park. The drive took us 3.5 hours. Road was horrendous. Chinese are constructing a new road and it is a mess especially since this is the rainy season. As with other areas, people are everywhere herding cattle, sheep, goats, horses, oxen or whatever. Little kids everywhere as well. Of course there are no toilet facilities. Marcia was going nuts but she held out. Our hotel was very basic. One light. Water pressure was questionable, infact there was none in morning. We took a couple Peace Corps volunteers stationed there with us. They rent a small hut. Latrine out back. Community water spiget not far away. Very limited. Today we arose early and went into the Park. That road was equally hair raising. So much erosion from over grazing. The park has plans to dispace the 8000 people living in the park but hasn't started yet. Meanwhile sheep and cattle graze. Hard to explain the damage. Photos will help. We did get to see some Gelada baboons and could walk right up to them. Fun animals. Then back down to Debark and then on back to Gonder and our very nice hotel, Goha.

One situation that happens a lot over here is the power goes out or the Internet and Cell phone system shuts down. These are all government owned and i guess these shut downs happen periodically for updating. It was out for almost 24 hours.

Tomorrow we fly to Aksum to see some interesting old churches carved out of solid rock. Same for Lailibela the day after. We fly there as well. It si the only way to go up here because roads are just terrible.

Food good. Weather fair, lots of rain the last few days making the roads even worse. Eating different foods. Always drinking bottled water or treated with the STeriPen ultra violet light.

It is getting late. Nancy Sturtevant was gracious enough for me to use her computer during this time. The computer office was closed by this time of evening. Hopefully there will be atime to really get caught up with reading emails as well.

Enough for now.

Bahir Dar

Greetings to our family and friends. This message is being sent from Tana Hotel, Bahir Dar. Here is summary. We left the husle of Addis yesterday morning, and flew  one hour to Bahir Dar on Lake Tana, the beginning to of the Blue Nile River which eventually runs into the White Nile from Uganda to form the main Nile.

Airport in Bahir dad is quite different from others. After landing we were in waiting area for luggage. All was left on the cart and we went out to grab. The walked through all the construction, literally, to our car and driver. Shortly after arriving at the hotel, we got on a little boat and went to the peninsula of Zeke to tour some Orthodox monasteries. For some reason this area has many of them. About 37. Most built in 16th century. Long hikes on rough trails to get to them. Along the way, youngsters are peddling little trinkets. Sad that one couldn't purchase something from everyone. We got a little reed boat and reed vase. Monasteries are large round outer structures with square worship area under. Paintings on four walls depict Biblical stories. Paintings from 18th century but touched up. Images of people: two eyes = believers. One eye = non believers.

Then back to hotel for lunch before getting in van and driving to Blue Nile Falls. What a trip. Road rough. People, goats, cattle, sheep, all along the road. Interesting to see the shacks people live in. Stick huts with mud and corrigated roofs. Then long hike to falls. Beautiful. "Water that Smokes" is other name because the mist. Again, the peddlers along the trail.

Amazing about cell phone technolgy. What they did without is unconceivable. Guide is constantly in contat with driver or texting others to make sure things are arranged. Also, it was interesting to see ATM and how nice to bunch a few numbers and out comes Ethiopian Birrs. ATM's are more recent here.

Today we drive to Gondor, the original capital of Ethiopia, and spend the night there. Bob Sturtevant is not feeling well today. Maybe wrong food last night. Rest of us okay.

I couldn't figure out how to get into my blog. Rats. I am really frustrated. I have to search through all my papers to figure out which of the multitude of passwords I may have used for that. Oh well. The aging process regarding memory sucks.

Until another opportunity exists, I will sign off.

Phil

We Made It to Addis

We made it to Addis Ababa. And, So did all our luggage! What a long flight of 18 hours. Our friends, Bob and Nancy, met us at the airport. I had forgotten how long it takes to get through immigration and customs. All went well and we got to the Hotel around 10:30. Then we talked until midnight.

Today we toured Addis. 4.5 million people. We drove all day and I didn't see one stop light! This wouldn't work in U.S. Traffic was amazing since it was Saturday and everyone comes to the market centers. We visited many museums and learned some about Ethiopian history. Much more to learn or attempt to understand. It is the cradle of civilization but we only reviewed the more recent history since 1855 or so.

Now we are ready to go to coffee shop. Ladies already left. Bob and I are on the computers. I sent one message out and it got lost in cyber space. I didn't something wrong. I couldn't do an update of Blog. Not enough time. I will do that later.

Pray for peace and those in poverty.

Phil

Ethiopia

On Our Way, August 25.

August 25. We leave U.S. on Lufthansa airlines and fly directly from Denver to Frankfort, GY. Then transfer to Lufthansa flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, about 18 hours total. We arrive in Addis around 9:30 pm, Friday. (10 hours earlier than MDT). Our Peace Corps friends and former Colorado State Forest Service employee, Bob and Nancy Sturtevant, will meet us at the airport with our guide/driver. We will spend two nights in Addis to regain our senses after the long flight. Then, on August 28 we start our tour of northern Ethiopia and the Simion Mountains. Then down to Bob and Nancy's duty station in Wondo Genet, Ethiopia. You'll have to get a map to follow this.  Here is a brief itinerary for a few days.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 – FLY TO BAHIR DAR, BOAT TRIP & BLUE NILE FALLS
MONDAY, AUGUST 29– DRIVE TO GONDAR & CITY TOUR OF GONDER
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30 – DRIVE TO SIMIEN MTS. NAT.PARK
WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 31– IN SIMIEN MTS. NAT.PARK
THURSDAY , SEPTEMBER 01– FLY TO AXUM; CITY TOUR

Not much else to report until after arriving in Addis. This gives you a weeks view of what we will be doing. We don't know how much email access we will have. We are packed. We are both taking day packs plus small luggage (suitcase and back pack). We also are carrying a duffel full of safety gear purchased for Bob's forestry crew in Wondo Genet, Ethiopia. Some teaching supplies and guides are in the duffel as well. Nancy said these would be helpful for a couple teachers. 

End.