Back to basics...
10.01.2013 - 12.01.2013 25 °C
We finally made it to Addis Ababa, the date in Ethiopia is 5th May 2005 (as we know it, 13th January 2013), the time is 2.35am (as we know it, 8.05am) and we can finally relax after a traumatic and dramatic 36 hours. After a 9 hour layover in Nairobi, we arrived at Bole airport in Addis and waited for our backpacks...and waited...and waited. But they never arrived and in our delusional tired state, we bartered for a taxi (after missing our lift from taking so long waiting) and found our tiny brothel hotel. Don’t worry, today we collected our bags from the airport and it’s probably put us in a better state of mind for our adventures than if we hadn't lost them!
Learning’s:
- Always put ‘tracing tags’ on your bags when flying Ethiopian Airlines – Google tells us that losing bags is part of their service.
- Always put a spare set of clothes, undies and washing soap in your hand luggage.
- Always carry toilet paper and hand sanitizer – not high on Ethiopian’s requirements.
- Ethiopian hotels generally double as brothels – makes for interesting sound effects through the night...boom chicka wah wah!
Experiences:
- Talking for hours to Steve, a retired British gentleman who is cycling the world solo, only picking up companions on his route. (http://tarpot.wordpress.com/)
- Portion sizes to challenge the U.S. and delicious local food.
- Back to basics for 2 days with only the clothes we were wearing, no means to wash and a tiny, cold hotel room where we were too afraid to sleep under the covers (yes, which meant we were also sleeping in said clothes).
- 22 pence macchiato’s – about 10 per day!
Next steps: Bahir Dar 10 hours by mini bus.
Posted by moseyingmizuiks 21:34 Archived in Ethiopia
22p for a macchiato?! Awesome
by Ian