Nov 11, 2008 - Africa's Camelot (or was it Spamalot?)

11/11/08 Gonder (or Gondar, depending on your reference materials), also known as the “Camelot” of Ethiopia, served as our last stop in this wonderful country. ... For example, Addis was where Christopher got a fungus on his back, Lalibela was where we got bed bug bites, and Gondar was where we got fleas. ... A whole lot of itching going on! Later, when we camped along the Nile in Sudan, we thought we had gotten rid of the fleas but I still thought I felt some tiny bugs crawling along my eyelids when i was asleep.11/11/08 Gonder (or Gondar, depending on your reference materials), also known as the “Camelot” of Ethiopia, served as our last stop in this wonderful country. ... For example, Addis was where Christopher got a fungus on his back, Lalibela was where we got bed bug bites, and Gondar was where we got fleas. ... A whole lot of itching going on! Later, when we camped along the Nile in Sudan, we thought we had gotten rid of the fleas but I still thought I felt some tiny bugs crawling along my eyelids when i was asleep....

Nov 5, 2008 - Finding Coffee and Religious Inspiration in Ethiopia

11/5/08 The Blue Nile originates close to Lake Tana, outside of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. ... We enjoyed a visit to the Blue Nile Falls as well as a boat trip on the lake to visit some monasteries there.11/5/08 The Blue Nile originates close to Lake Tana, outside of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. ... We enjoyed a visit to the Blue Nile Falls as well as a boat trip on the lake to visit some monasteries there....

Jun 29, 2008 - We arrived!

Well, we made after 2 hour long delays, running through the Dulles airport to get our connecting flight (Well, Nick ran but I walked fast), 20 hours sitting on planes, and getting to know Iman the 7 year-old girl sitting behind us going to visit her Grandmother in Addis Ababa. ... Unfortunately, our luggage did not make it.Well, we made after 2 hour long delays, running through the Dulles airport to get our connecting flight (Well, Nick ran but I walked fast), 20 hours sitting on planes, and getting to know Iman the 7 year-old girl sitting behind us going to visit her Grandmother in Addis Ababa. ... Unfortunately, our luggage did not make it....

Feb 17, 2008 - Dire Dawa

In Harar found a great internet site(for Ethiopia) but bummer of bummers, it closed at noon this being Sunday & Christian. So we headed back to Dire Dawa where we went to Family Snack Restaurant(the only one we found open) & luckily we got there early(5ish) because by the time we left the place was hopping! Good food always brings them in, but in this case I think it was also the only restaurant food avail reasonably priced. ...

Feb 16, 2008 - Harar

Got tickets and by noon we're in a minivan to Harar. ... We kept a room rented in Dire Dawa and leave our packs since it was only 35 bier($4 US) The first place in Harar was full, the 2nd too expensive. ... The streets of fHarar near the gate to the old city are jammed with people buying & selling qat(also spelled khat and cot)! It seemed on the trip from Dire Dwa that most of the cultivated land was planted in qat. ... In Harar the walled city is mainly about the Ethiopians. ... Harar is no exception to the Ethiopian cities we've visited in one aspect. ...

Feb 15, 2008 - Dire Dawa

Had a great time in Ethiopian restaurant Agelgil. Not getting clear indications as to train situation in Dire Dawa, we decided to go to Dire Dawa the train terminus, instead of Harar, to get more info directly from the "horses' mouth" so to speak. ... When we arrived it took some questioning but finally Bon found out from a fellow that yes, the train usually goes every day to Djibouti but they were waiting for fuel from Djibouti so would not know for sure when it would leave, best chk tomor! We chkd into Makonnen(or Mekonnen as LP says) Hotel across from RR station, best O.Had a great time in Ethiopian restaurant Agelgil. Not getting clear indications as to train situation in Dire Dawa, we decided to go to Dire Dawa the train terminus, instead of Harar, to get more info directly from the "horses' mouth" so to speak. ... When we arrived it took some questioning but finally Bon found out from a fellow that yes, the train usually goes every day to Djibouti but they were waiting for fuel from Djibouti so would not know for sure when it would leave, best chk tomor! We chkd into Makonnen(or Mekonnen as LP says) Hotel across from RR station, best O....

Feb 14, 2008 - Addis Ababa

Moges picked us up at hotel 7:15, prompt as usual.Moges picked us up at hotel 7:15, prompt as usual....

Feb 12, 2008 - Axum

now a big reservour lake half way to Axum, towering peaks in distance towards Sudan, a major road to the dam but otherwise few roads twisting & turning up, over, around & thru the maze of peaks and valleys. ... As we approach Axum more roads and unlike water courses further away which were dry and barron(no irrig or poor soil), green growth is visible along the river/waterways now(near Axum). ... Feb13 Happy B'day Mari!!! Mulubrahan & Moges(the driver) picked us up at 8:30 & we went to stelae site where top of Axumite stelae is a sigh of Almoka, god of moon. ... It was the last stelae to a pagon god in the Axumite kingdom which lasted from 2nd century BC to 7th century AD. ... This is when they claim the Arch of the Covenant disappeared! In 333AD King Ezanna converted the Axumite kingdom to Christianity…they know from records this was the case and in pagan tombs bodies are oriented N to S, N=evil enters head, S=good exits legs. ...

Feb 11, 2008 - Lalibela

Johannas had arranged/paid for taxi to pick us up to go to the airport so about 7:30, driver pulled up & off we went, wouldn't even pick up 2 others needing a ride as well.Johannas had arranged/paid for taxi to pick us up to go to the airport so about 7:30, driver pulled up & off we went, wouldn't even pick up 2 others needing a ride as well....

Feb 9, 2008 - Gondar

Went to Blue Nile Falls, passed great #'s of Ethiopians heading for market, little girls(5 to 10 yrs old) speaking great English sales pitches to sell their shawls, etc.Went to Blue Nile Falls, passed great #'s of Ethiopians heading for market, little girls(5 to 10 yrs old) speaking great English sales pitches to sell their shawls, etc....

Feb 8, 2008 - Bahir Dar

Mini van picked us up at 3 but did not leave city for Bahir Dar until 4:45(picking up passengers). ...

Feb 5, 2008 - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The flight was great, good food and English movie.The flight was great, good food and English movie....