Hey there! Wasnt planning on going on the internet today, but my friend Dani needed the internet so we came here. And what else to do than update this? The internet here is half the money as the other place...about 75 cents an hour! REally nice, and facebook works too unlike yesterday. So heres a bit of what I have been doing!
After using the internet yesterday I had to use the bathroom and there was one in the bank accross the street. It seems here people go on the side of the road...at least thats what I saw a few times ysterday...so the bathrooms were hard to find. interesting experience, but i will spare the details. I then sat on the side of the road to write some letter to my mom and to Israel, and everyone thought I was crazy for sitting with the shoe shiners on the road. Paid 8.35 birr for the letters to be sent. Walking down the road I saw a guy and his wife pushing their van so I helped them out they were cool. I then saw a dog who had just died on the side of the road, that was pretty sad but it happens a lot here apparently. Spent 16.5 birr in the supermarket for lunch; ate a carrot and a can of tuna for lunch, while many people stared at me like I was crazy. I learned it is cheaper to eat in a restaurant than get my own food! Wont be too much cooking here I guess...
Wandering still I found the national museum I wanted to go there and just happened to find it! 10 birr entrance fee. Really nice guides, but I didnt use them. Information was written in English, so there was no need. in and out in an hour. Saw LUCY the first upright walking human ancestor and the "earliest child." I met a guy there who is volunteering with a medical mission to do clef lip surgery in the north, nice guy. He let me use his lonely planet book to research hotels. Ate lunch- roll of bread for 1 birr. felt bad walking and eating while people are starving all around me. I noticed here in Ethiopia you have very rich people and starving people in the same place. A BMW and Mercedes will drive past starving crippled people and not blink an eye. I guess that is just a smaller version of the world, no? We are doing the same thing every day and it doesnt effect us. The world is a crazy place.
I finally found the Taitu hotel. I met some guys outside really nice, they are my friends and I have seen them several times since. I think one is a hussler, but he is nice anyway. Just cant trust him!
The reception told me the cheapest room was 108 birr but I talked them into giving me a room for 72 birr in the back of the place. They dont even tell people about it or show it to anyone- what do I care, Im just sleeping there! Not too bad I have slept in worse- 2 small beds, sink that doesnt work, shared bathrooms with no toilet seat...pretty nice if you as me! Had a great night sleep too.
Almost forgot...Met 2 israelis who traveled here and left last night. Also met an American, Italian, German, and Ethiopian guy and we spoke for a long time. They went north this morning.Ate "chicken soup"- basically a parrageish thing with rice?at 20 birr not worth it! Got a message from Dani that she will be here tomorrow. That will be nice so we can get moving! 2 hard things- saw a man crawling on the ground asking for money, and had a little girl hold my hand and walk with me while pointing at my pack. Have to be fast, I have to go in a minute! Threw away water from airport, bought bottle 8 birr. Everyone loves my didge, want me to play all the time. Got a 14 birr mango drink, best thing ever! Ate a burger for 20 birr.
Days money totals: with visa, 458 birr or about 36.5 dollars. A lot, and slightly over budget, but that is because of the 20 dollar visa. Without that, I only spent18 dollars, saving 12 on the days funds! and today will be even cheaper splitting room cost with Dani.
SO Today...Woke up 8am Dani knocking on door. Yay she is here! Awesome night sleep in my bug bivy and Marmot Heluim sleeping bag...cant say enough about them! She showered and we went to get mango drinks. Planned a few days trip in the north, I will write about it later when I have internet. Now off to breakfast! Oh and I saw an Ethiopian soldier in an Israeli ARmy uniform...Where am I again?! Ok gotta run! More to come! Love everyone
Evan
