Wed 21st. No particular hurry to get to MSA; I was planning on about 11:00 to collect my Covid cert. Had b’fast at Rongai…no mandazi, but I had African tea which I hadn’t known was available…better than a tea bag.
Oh, I forgot to mention..I think..the incident a day or two previously at Amigos when a monkey snatched my antibiotics which were sitting in the top of my bag. I chased but to no avail as he went next door which was fenced off. I sweet talked a guard who let me clamber over the fence and I managed to find the discarded bag which had my nail flippers in it. I found a few of the pills, which I then discarded at the pharmacy when I went to get some new pills. Interesting event which I found annoying at first but then saw the funny side of it.
So, it was then a matatu to the ferry and tuk tuk to the hospital to get my cert. All very efficient. I was making good time so went for a relazing cup of tea. Then disaster struck. I had tried not to panic because I hadn’t received my EVisa, but eventually discovered it my Spam mail. Then tried to be clever and clean out some of my emails and I accidentally deleted my Spam folder. I couldn’t even recover deleted items. Panic..
I wasn’t far from the Ethiopian airlines office so I hurried over to it. Fortunately no queue, because in an hour I needed to be headed to the airport. They were very helpful and gave me the visa support email address. Sent a grovelling email asking for the visa to be resent, and got a Bolt taxi to the airport. Have been very impressed with Bolt. Was a bit early but at least I could charge up my phone. I was being given a hard time at check in for not having an Ethiopian visa. I tried to explain my stupidity !! Then whilst the staff were discussing how to reslove this, I got an e-mail with my EVisa attached…phew.
Whilst sitting in the departure lounge and once again aying with my phone, I accidentally archived my EVisa. More stress…this was going to cause me a problem at the other end…queueing insyead of going straight through. But for some reason I switched my phone off…I think in the plane while taking off…and when I turned it back on there was the email with my EVisa. Only a 2 hour flight to Addis but we got a meal, for which I was truly grateful. At immigration I had to sign into the airport WiFi to open the attachment. Which was fine….and gave them my destination address; and no mention of having to quarantine. Phew…as it wasn’t 100% clear from the online entry requirements. So, made it in good time through the airport. Even remembered to draw money from the ATM. I wanted 11,000 birr…about 200gbp….But didn’t realise machines had a 10,000 limit. I drew out separate amounts of 6000 and 5000. I was so quick that Euael wasn’t thete to meet me. I had his number and called him using another taxi driver’s phone. Chrissie had told him I’d be out by midnight, but by about 9:30 we were at the house. Only 30 mins from Bole airport. Dereje was on duty, and I acquainted myself with the house. My first visit and arrival in Ethiopia went without a hitch.
Thurs & Fri were spent walking around the neighbourhood and getting a feel for where everything was. Bisrate Gebriel was just over 5 mins walk away. This the local Ethiopian Orthodox church. I found Lilies coffee house, but my first Ethiopian coffee was from a street lady. And location is reflected in the price…..5 birr on the street and 10 birr from the cafe. That first night I decided to eat out. I came across the Africana restaurant which was big and airy. I ordered from the menu a Lamb Tibs and Fir Fir, not realising they were both main courses. Needless to say I struggled and no way could I finish it. I had Injera coming out of my ears !! No alcohol, just didn’t seem to be in the mood for it.
Sat 24th. I took a minibus ( a matatu) to Mexico sq. and walked from there to Meskel square; my mission was to find the Greek Club. Well, I got there eventually, but going around all sorts of side streets. Glad I went but not that impressive…a huge dining area and a small bar and a basketball court.
Walked back to Meskel and then to Mexico, passed some very colourful stalls. I found the right place for the return minibus. The fare from Bisrate to Mexico is 5 birr, so 10p. I got off at Karl sq. right opposite the Africana restaurant. Decided to have dinner again there but this time ordered one main course…the meat Fir Fir…and just managed to finish it. Still wasn’t interested in drinking any alcohol. The conclusion I/We came to was that the high altitude of Addis was making me feel very tired and contributed to my lost desire for alcohol. The lethargy was fading though.
Sun 25th. I passed by Bisrate Gebriel and there were masses of people around. All sorts of artefacts were being sold, as were bundles of reeds/grass……I need to look into the significance of the grass which strewn all over the ground. Aaah, but finally my taste buds craved a beer, so I drank a couple of bottles at the Africana and filmed the momentous occasion !!
Mon 26th. Was spent shopping and cooking…and anyway the weather had been bad…lots of cloud and rain and actually on the nippy side. Another venue was discovered at the Abo roundabout.
Tues 27th . Took minibus to Mexico ( hit rush hour so took half an hour from Bisrate to Karl sq) and walked to Meskel again. This time I walked up the hill to the Hilton hotel to the Ethiopian airlines office to book a flight to Dire Dawa. Had looked into bus and train but got confusing feedback as to their availability and safety. At the Hilton I passed 2 ladies talking Greek and I stopped them to say hello. All I needed was to show an Intl flight ticket out of the country…..I paid my 120USD return and made my way back to Mexico and the house – having a coffee along the way of course.
Wed 28th. A quiet day. A coffee here, a beer there. Deciding what to take to Dire Dawa the following day. Actually didn’t sleep too well as was worried about checking in hold luggage and therefore squeezing everything as cabin luggage. I managed but left my shampoo as that might constitute too much liquid. Anyway, Thurs 29th I was flying to the town where Mum was born, how exciting was that ??!!