Day 3: Skip Addis, Go directly to Bahar Dar
What a beautiful, beautiful city!! Kevin and I have found where we will retire and start our orphanage. This city borders the 3rd largest lake in Africa and has stunning views. The streets are lined with flower filled trees. The fish dishes are awesome. And the people are kind and friendly.
We started the day here in Bahar Dar by driving 40 minutes into the countryside to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. We passed through several small villages on the way and lots of farms. Beautiful. The people live in small circular thatched homes call gojo’s. There are almost no vehicles and everyone seems to own at least two mules. We were fortunate to drive during the morning commute to market. Gorgeous people in lovely costumes walking with large bundles tied to their backs or balanced with great skill on their heads. Their mules were also heavily laden. Even children and old women were carrying more than their share. It was an amazing scene. We felt we had jumped into a National Geographic magazine.
It was quite a hike to see the Blue Nile Falls over rough terrain. But the tour company sized me up immediately and sent someone to hold my hand and assist me the whole way. Kevin had to manage on his own. The Falls are an incredible sight. Truly a once in lifetime experience. Unfortunately, I mean that literally as the World Bank is building a power plant that will strip the falls of all of their water. Thus ending much of tourism for Bahar Dar. It is such a crime against nature! Imagine if someone came in and shut down Niagara Falls for the electricity. That is how it is. For those who are traveling after me, go. You will probably never get another chance.
After a break for lunch, our tour company took us on a private boat tour of the lake. We missed out on sighting any hippos but we did go to a beautiful island with an amazing 14th century church. All the walls of the church are covered in the most beautiful paintings depicting Bible stories. It is a way of teaching those who cannot read about the Bible. The paintings are original to the church and are in perfect condition. The colors are so bright and vivid you would think they were painted yesterday. Nothing we make today would last so long.
Then tonight for dinner we had INCREDIBLE fish dishes at a lake-side restaurant. We watched Pelicans and Fishers of the most beautiful variety flying around the lake and perching in sycamore trees as the sun set behind them.
On our way home we had 3 street children help us find our way back. They spoke perfect English and were so smart and friendly. One boy told us that his mother was still alive but was so sick with AIDS she no longer could eat or get out of bed. All too common unfortunately. To reward them for their kindness we told them we would buy them dinner at any restaurant they wanted. They chose the Barack Obama Café. We let them order whatever they wanted and it was like a birthday party. It was really fun to help them.
Barack Obama is widely popular here. There are signs everywhere for him. You can purchase his T-shirts at any shops. Restaurants are named after him. Every time someone hears that we are American they want to talk to us about Obama. It gives me so much hope that through his election we can heal the wounds in our foreign relations. It actually brought me to tears today to see the hope he inspires all around the world.
We thought that we liked Addis but after seeing Bahar Dar it is no comparison. Get out of the city and go into the country. This is true Ethiopia.
To my kids: We thought about you a lot today. We wished you could have been here. You would have really loved this city. We hope to come as a family one day. We met several school children today and they are all so grateful to be able to go to school. They are studying hard just like you. We love and miss you. Dad will be home in 4 days. We still do not know when Mom will be home. I pray soon. Make sure that you are extra nice to each other while we are gone and play with Clarissa a lot. I fear she doesn’t understand why we are gone and will need you to keep her happy.
What a beautiful, beautiful city!! Kevin and I have found where we will retire and start our orphanage. This city borders the 3rd largest lake in Africa and has stunning views. The streets are lined with flower filled trees. The fish dishes are awesome. And the people are kind and friendly.
We started the day here in Bahar Dar by driving 40 minutes into the countryside to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. We passed through several small villages on the way and lots of farms. Beautiful. The people live in small circular thatched homes call gojo’s. There are almost no vehicles and everyone seems to own at least two mules. We were fortunate to drive during the morning commute to market. Gorgeous people in lovely costumes walking with large bundles tied to their backs or balanced with great skill on their heads. Their mules were also heavily laden. Even children and old women were carrying more than their share. It was an amazing scene. We felt we had jumped into a National Geographic magazine.
It was quite a hike to see the Blue Nile Falls over rough terrain. But the tour company sized me up immediately and sent someone to hold my hand and assist me the whole way. Kevin had to manage on his own. The Falls are an incredible sight. Truly a once in lifetime experience. Unfortunately, I mean that literally as the World Bank is building a power plant that will strip the falls of all of their water. Thus ending much of tourism for Bahar Dar. It is such a crime against nature! Imagine if someone came in and shut down Niagara Falls for the electricity. That is how it is. For those who are traveling after me, go. You will probably never get another chance.
After a break for lunch, our tour company took us on a private boat tour of the lake. We missed out on sighting any hippos but we did go to a beautiful island with an amazing 14th century church. All the walls of the church are covered in the most beautiful paintings depicting Bible stories. It is a way of teaching those who cannot read about the Bible. The paintings are original to the church and are in perfect condition. The colors are so bright and vivid you would think they were painted yesterday. Nothing we make today would last so long.
Then tonight for dinner we had INCREDIBLE fish dishes at a lake-side restaurant. We watched Pelicans and Fishers of the most beautiful variety flying around the lake and perching in sycamore trees as the sun set behind them.
On our way home we had 3 street children help us find our way back. They spoke perfect English and were so smart and friendly. One boy told us that his mother was still alive but was so sick with AIDS she no longer could eat or get out of bed. All too common unfortunately. To reward them for their kindness we told them we would buy them dinner at any restaurant they wanted. They chose the Barack Obama Café. We let them order whatever they wanted and it was like a birthday party. It was really fun to help them.
Barack Obama is widely popular here. There are signs everywhere for him. You can purchase his T-shirts at any shops. Restaurants are named after him. Every time someone hears that we are American they want to talk to us about Obama. It gives me so much hope that through his election we can heal the wounds in our foreign relations. It actually brought me to tears today to see the hope he inspires all around the world.
We thought that we liked Addis but after seeing Bahar Dar it is no comparison. Get out of the city and go into the country. This is true Ethiopia.
To my kids: We thought about you a lot today. We wished you could have been here. You would have really loved this city. We hope to come as a family one day. We met several school children today and they are all so grateful to be able to go to school. They are studying hard just like you. We love and miss you. Dad will be home in 4 days. We still do not know when Mom will be home. I pray soon. Make sure that you are extra nice to each other while we are gone and play with Clarissa a lot. I fear she doesn’t understand why we are gone and will need you to keep her happy.
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