A day out at Entoto

On Saturday most of the YFC staff went for an outing to

Entoto. Yeti and Mesi came for me at 8am. We headed off down the hill and around a couple of corners to catch our first taxi (minibus) for the day and to meet Mena. This day included a LOT of walking. Next was another taxi and then another taxi and then another taxi, each one climbing higher than the last until we reached the place where we had arranged to meet the others: Mekwanent, Amen, Alex, Desta, Guday and three little ones.

Here we began our real walking

with stops along the way when necessary for a rest or a photo opportunity.

With rolling green hills and many eucalyptus trees this reminded me of many parts of the countryside in Victoria, apart from the VERY different houses.  Here is some interesting info about Eucalyptus in Ethiopia

We passed many donkeys carrying firewood down to the town below. Here they really are 'beasts of burden'

 

To quote some of the above link: "Also fallen branches and leaves are gathered up, mostly by women, and are carried down the mountain for sale to vendors and families. This is literally back breaking work for minimal pay although it does provide some income for these women." This is SERIOUSLY hard work.

 When we arrived at St Raguel Ethiopian Orthodox Church higher up the mountain we spent some time wandering around and taking photos, mostly of our group.

Next stop lunch. As we approached the restaurant I couldn't see it coming,

nor did I recognise it when we entered the gate. It was different from what I had expected. The restaurant was called 'Two Brothers' and we met both of them.

The first was cutting our meat for purchase and in preparation for cooking,

and the second was working away in the middle shed 

 cooking our lunch.

(I did wonder if these were future meals!)

As we would be eating with our hands it's always important to wash them before we eat.

Ethiopians almost always eat with their fingers and so we did. After all, I am part Ethiopian now!

 Deborah and Kalkedan entertained us with their dancing before our meal

and Emmanuel and Kalkedan played happily with bottle tops on the ground. Children are so easily entertained.

We all enjoyed 

 being together

in this very rural

and relaxed setting.

Then it was time for home,

so we set off down the BIG hill

as the skies turned grey

and we arrived at Alex's house just after the rain started to pour. After the downpour we all headed home our separate ways after a really enjoyable, memorable and VERY tiring day together.

Farewell YFC Ethiopia

So it's almost time to say Goodbye to my new friends/colleagues/family in YFC Ethiopia.

 

On Tuesday the team celebrated both my time here

 and Desta's graduation as an accountant.

There were many words of affirmation

spoken to us both and gifts given. It was a very special time together and we all recognised God's good gifts to each of us.

 On Wednesday it was my turn to say my goodbyes and give small Aussie gifts to each person. Some weeks ago I baked some Anzacs and they all loved them and so I decided that it would be a popular move to bake some more as part of my gift to the team.

 First of all each of my English students received a Certificate of Participation. They were SO excited.

 and then it was time for gift-giving. I had invited a few people, other than staff, who have been significant to me over my time here as well.

Each person seemed to be pleased

 with the gift and card received

and finally the Australian flag for everyone to share. This included a lesson on the flag, of course.

It's always such a challenge to bring gifts with an Aussie flavour when one has no idea how many on the staff,  whether they are male or female and if there will be 'other people' I will connect with during my stay and want to give a gift to at the end.

I am thankful that God knows ahead of time and there have always been suitable gifts for everyone.

And so I have three more sleeps until I fly back to Australia on Monday afternoon. Not sure if I will blog again or not. Let's wait and see.