A combination of factors are at play today that leave Christi and I for perhaps the first time on our Year of Wonder thinking more about the comfort we are giving up rather than the adventure that lies before us. Although our tiny apartment in San Francisco is not as luxurious at the Hilton hotel in Addis Ababa, both have that squishy comfortable feel that is addictive. The 10-hour bus journey … [Read more...]
Hyena feeding, Harar, Day 322
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It is quite amazing what crazy things Christi and I do when we are on vacation. Of course our vacations are few and far between, but when we go on vacation we really go. This current vacation as you are no doubt aware is a year-long. If we were sitting in our apartment in San Francisco and a complete stranger asked whether we wanted to feed wild spotted hyenas, literally six inches from our face … [Read more...]
The Chat chewers of Harar, Day 323
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Perhaps the most defining aspect to life in Harar (at least for the men) is the chewing of chat, an addictive stimulant. Locals buy the stuff by the bushel from Oromo women - the chat peddlers of Harar. It is customary in this town in eastern Ethiopia to have an extended lunch that culminates in a chat-chewing session. Consequently, little business gets done until after 3 pm (one could argue that … [Read more...]
Market day, Harar, Day 324
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This is our last day in Harar and in Ethiopia generally. Once again this country has given Christi and I the most magnificent experiences. It is definitely the unheralded destination on the African continent. Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa get the bulk of tourists, but Ethiopia is right up there for tourist attractions and well worth considering when you are planning your … [Read more...]
Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya, Day 325
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This is an odd Dragoman adventure because Christi and I are joining part way through and will leave before the truck reaches its final destination. Once again when I was planning this in San Francisco and looking at ways to explore the remote north of Kenya, Dragoman was the only reliable overland company that ventured up that way. There was no guarantee of course that there would be space … [Read more...]
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