I just couldn't resist - Yemeni laundry detergent

Sure, there were other laundry detergents in the super market. There were names I recognised and products I had used before, but when I saw Zahra, of Yemen, I couldn't resist.

It is bright, bold and features, "Washing powder with blue speckles". I had to take it home with me.

And so, I washed my first load of laundry in Ethiopia with laundry detergent from Yemen.

The result? It was good. I am pleased with my selection. 

Meskel Celebration!

On Thursday, it was the Celebration of Meskel.  Meskel means, in Amharic, "cross".

The Meskel celebration is based around the belief that Queen Eleni, aka Saint Helena, had a revelation in a dream (4th Century AD). She was told that she should make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the true cross was buried. The true cross refers to The Cross that Jesus Christ was crucified on. 

So she ordered the people of Jerusalem to bring wood and make a huge pile. After adding frankincense to it, the bonfire was lit and the smoke rose high up to the sky and returned to the ground, exactly to the spot where The Cross had been buried. As you would imagine, part of the Meskel celebration, includes the burning of a large bonfire, or Demera. 

I headed to Meskel Square in Addis for the celebration. It was an interesting event. Tons of Ethiopians and a handful of tourists filed into Meskel Square and took seats in the stands. Over the next two hours, tons of various Diocese members filed into the main square via a parade. The various Diocese members wore costumes and colours representing their area. Some sang, some danced and some chanted. They all made their way past a grandstand where guests of honour watched. There were also prayers given, mostly in Amharic, by various clergy. 

Finally after a couple of honors, a float rode up with a red cross on it. That was the cue for all of the people around me to light candles. It was beautiful to see all the candles in the stands around me lit up. (Reminiscent of a memorial service but with joy rather than sadness.) The man next to me let me hold his candle, but when his daughter's candle  
went out, I handed it back to her.

Finally, the Bishops blessed the Demera and set it on fire. We watched as it burned down until eventually tipping over and hitting the group. There was then a bit of a melee as people either jostled to get down to the bonfire to put ashes on their foreheads or to leave the arena. I was caught up in something resembling a moshpit. Luckily, people were nice and pushed me up with the other tourists so we could make our way out. 


I have "borrowed" photos from the internet as my camera phone wasn't very good and didn't capture the images as they should be. 

Trapped in a Ladies room toilet stall!

It is not the kind of adventures I thought I would have in Addis but nevertheless, it happened. I was trapped in a toilet stall! 

It is Saturday in Addis and I had work to do so I headed into the office. I had a set keys to let myself in. This is an important point because I am alone in the office. 

I head to the ladies room and lock the stall door. It jams and I cannot unlock it. After struggling for a while, I realise the lock is not going to give and I need to figure out another wait out. 

The gap between the floor and the door is too narrow so I have to go up and over. 

Somehow I do it! With a combination of rock climbing / ninja moves, I manage to make it up onto the toilet tank, over the divider and onto the other side. See attached photo of offending stall. 

Ambo - natural carbonated spring water

Meet Ambo!

A delicious and refreshing sparkling mineral water. It comes from a natural spring located in Ambo about 130 km from Addis Ababa. It has been bottled and sold since 1930. 

Ambo is wonderful and very popular in Ethiopia. There are only two drawbacks with Ambo. Firstly, it is high in sodium along with magnesium, potassium, so be careful with drinking a lot. The other drawback is that it is highly carbonated and makes you burp a great deal. Not a problem for me because I find that entertaining but I find others are less fond of it. ;) 

Gym visit

Two days in Addis and I already went to the gym. I did a long work out but feel exhausted. I'll blame it on the altitude. ;)

The gym, itself, was Chaos. Hot, packed, old equipment. I put all my stuff in a locker, was about to lock it and a woman said, "oh, I was going to put my stuff in there" and stood firm while I then removed everything and put it in the locker next to it. 

Then went out to the main floor and was told two machines were taken, despite no one being on them. After feeling hazed, I finally got on a machine. 

On the upside, I met one Scandinavian in the locker room and saw her talking to two others. Going to google if there's an embassy next to the gym. 

A kip, a double macchiato, and a large water

I settled into the hotel, had a rest, and then a macchiato and large water to assist with the fatigue of travelling all night. 

Arrived in Addis

I arrived in Addis this morning with no difficulty. It took me about 90 mins to get out of the airport. This is not uncommon.

 

For those of you coming to the Addis airport for the first time, here is some guidance. When you get to immigration, there will be two queues - one to purchase your visa on arrival and the other is to clear immigration. If you need a tourist visa, go to the queue on the left. The visa is $20. After you get your visa, you will then join the main immigration queue.  I already had my visa so I went through the main queue straightaway. 

After that, I headed to the baggage claim area. Three other flights arrived at the same time as mine. Despite having multiple carousels, the airport tends to only use two. Economy travellers, regardless of flight, go on one carousel and anyone with silver, gold or 'Cloud nine' status go on the other. I was on economy so I scoured all the bags until mine came along.  Huzzah!

After you collect your bags, you will have two more hurdles. You will join a queue to exit the airport. Someone will check your luggage tags to make sure you're taking only your bags. After that, all luggage needs to be scanned before it leaves the airport. This will result in long queues as everyone puts their bags through. It takes a long time but people are generally friendly and there isn't a lot of queue jumping. 

Finally, leaving the airport arrival gate, you will head for ground transport. If you have arranged for a shuttle bus through your hotel, there are stands around the sides of the terminal, Find your hotel and they will call the driver. If you have a private driver, as I did, they will most likely not be allowed into the airport. Follow the crowds out of the airport, down the hill, and look for your driver. 

As with all cities you are unfamiliar with, be safe. Go with people who know your name, and do not volunteer it first. Use registered taxis and do not go with someone who offers their services.  I  was picked up by Kassa. He's the driver for the office and a passionate Arsenal fan! 

Odd items to pack

So, amongst the clothes, bug spray, sunscreen, and books, I packed some more unusual items - two pieces of Tupperware, four bars of chocolate,

a two-cup coffee French press, and an antique brass address book. (See photo) 

Heading to Addis - TODAY!

As you can see by all the things on my bed, I am heading to Addis and may have slightly overpacked. :)  But, in my defense, you need to pack for many occassions over a three month period. (Hiking boots and a formal dress)

I am excited and anxious. I am excited about the adventure but anxious about leaving my life in London for such a long time. Even with the many dinners and drinks I had with friends over the past month, it still didn't seem real. In fact, it wasn't until this morning when Lloyd was saying good bye and headed to work that I realised it was.

Well, family and friends, I am off. (sniff, sniff)
A little check-in and then duty free.
Bad free films and GnTs.
New adventures starting tomorrow morning!

 

Will all this fit in the suitcase?