Mosquitoes

2009-05-21T23:07:00.001+03:00

The mozzies are back and this time they mean business. Until now they have remained a lonely breed. A quick spray of KillerÔ or hand splat put paid to them. However now, each morning when I open the curtains I am greeted with a swarm of buzzing irritants. Unfortunately they also seem to have developed an immune system to even the most vile blend of chemicals known to man.

Patience

2009-05-19T21:38:00.001+03:00

From the title, you may expect an entry about my increased tolerance or difficulties being faced. In fact, I wish to share with you my exuberance at finishing Mahjong Titans – a game included with Windows Vista. I am sure my mother and I are not the only people addicted to the occasional marathon session of Solitaire on the computer. I imagine that "Just one more game" or "Until I get them out

Sentence Construction

2009-05-19T00:20:00.000+03:00

Following on from the language week we had, I decided to share some translation with you. I thought about this issue during the Research Conference when presenters talked about translating instructions from English to Tigrinya and then translating student responses back to English. It occurred to me that this may cause some irregularities, particularly as I am aware of the different sentence

Power Off

2009-05-16T20:05:00.001+03:00

I know I have mentioned the power many times before but still.....let me put it simply. For the last two weeks we have had no power every two days from 6am-10pm. Only half of them were scheduled!Share your photos with Windows Live Photos – Free. Try it Now!

Fund for Furniture

2009-05-15T23:18:00.001+03:00

The fund for furniture, of which the t-shirt lottery was part of, provided its first classroom this week with new tables and chairs. You can see a video of the class singing here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM3056FJnuE Surfing the web just got more rewarding. Download the New Internet Explorer 8

Draughts

2009-05-15T00:07:00.001+03:00

To my knowledge, unlike here, draughts is not a big game in the UK. While I am familiar with the rules, I've never considered it particularly skilful. Recently I have been watching them play the game in the lounge. Although some of the rules, not surprisingly, are different; they are able to play very fast and beat me every time. Someone has tried to explain to me how to make better moves

Sharing skills again

2009-05-12T21:25:00.001+03:00

I'm not sure it's what VSO had in mind when they said "sharing skills, changing lives" but I spent this evening introducing some of my colleagues to a true American burger. They wanted, I quote, "to get fat" as they had read about burgers. So they enjoyed their first freshly baked rolls filled with a cheese burger, topped with crispy lettuce, freshly squashed tomato ketchup, mayo and fried

Annual Research Conference

2009-05-11T23:02:00.001+03:00

This weekend saw the college's 5th Annual National Research Conference. The two days compromises a number of selected research papers on educational matters such as "ICT in Language" and "Entrance Assessment criteria" that are delivered to invited guests. It is compulsory for all teachers to prepare an annual research paper, even if the research is filed away in a store and fails to bring about

Mariam Gnbot

2009-05-10T22:15:00.001+03:00

Yesterday we celebrated Mariam "Mary" Gnbot , which is always the first day of Gnbot . Actually it is more of a party than remembering St. Mary. Traditionally it is a celebration shared with friends as opposed to family. Although I was fashionably late after returning from training with a flat tyre, I was quickly in the middle of an auction, bidding for a chicken and eggs. Traditional food

Abi Adi Champions League Final

2009-05-08T23:33:00.001+03:00

Having developed my style of play since primary school playground, I found it difficult to match the skill of my fellow teammates today. My second turnout of the season saw my position switching from left back to right back, although there was just as many potholes on the other side. Our opposition, from the local high school, were once again organised and showed no sign of fear before the game

VSO Meeting

2009-05-07T22:46:00.001+03:00

My initial "after 3 months to see how I am settling in" meeting took place this week after 7 months. My programme manager arrived from Addis to discuss progress, problems and "potentials" for next year. He was pleased with the work I have done and is happy for me to continue for next year. The three major tasks I have been working on are: networking the computer lab, updating all the

SuperBug

2009-05-06T20:47:00.001+03:00

No not Swine flu. "I have been bugged" was the email subject heading. Normally I would immediately send this to junk. However, after a quick check of the website, I realised it was based in Sheffield. So with no sender attached, I have my suspicions who may have sent it but I am not 100% sure. So here is the bug with a quick resume. Any information to the usual.

Lottery

2009-05-01T22:26:00.001+03:00

Thanks to my mother sending out a pair of Manchester United T-shirts, I have decided to hold a lottery with one as a prize. The proceeds will go towards another project which is purchasing tables for a local kindergarten. At the moment, children aged 4 are sitting in U.S. university-style adult chairs with a small shelf on the right hand arm to write on. You might expect tables and chairs made

Kitten Update

2009-04-28T21:05:00.001+03:00

The kittens have grown up fast and are now causing havoc around the house. They are eating for themselves and enjoy a good fight in between entering pillow cases, going under bookcases and down sofas when finding attractive places to sleep. Currently we are trying to find accommodation for them. People like to have them for their mouse catching abilities. Any takers? Will post!

Another bus ride entry

2009-04-26T17:27:00.001+03:00

The whole "bus leaving a town" scenario for me is quite familiar now. Waiting for it to fill before it leaves, people staying on who are not planning on going, children saving seats is all normal. However, what I will never understand are the few people who choose not to walk another 200m to the bus station to get a seat; but wait down the road for a bus to pass hoping that there is an empty

Life in Semester 2

2009-04-21T22:58:00.001+03:00

While life here was slow to begin with, daily life has all but stopped. A busy student computer training timetable leaves little lab time to train the staff. I currently have 4 hours work a week – all in the last hour of the day. While that sounds great, it also means I am not able to travel around as much. The World Bank money that was due last October has arrived; and after submitting a

Happy Easter

2009-04-20T21:30:00.001+03:00

No, I'm not a week late. It will not come as a surprise to regular readers that Easter here is celebrated at a different time. One week later in this case. So last weekend I headed off with many other colleagues to my regular holiday destination – Mekelle. Even on Friday at 6am, the excitement was noticeable on all faces as people boarded the bus with their goats, chickens, stereos and

What next?

2009-04-14T23:45:00.001+03:00

When will the bad news ever stop? A number of volunteers have recently become ill or been involved in incidents. Someone has been airlifted to Nairobi with heart problems, another with suspected malaria is back in Addis and a third (in a different country) involved in a serious road traffic incident. I guess probability states there will be clumps of events or is it simply that things come in

The last few days

2009-04-13T22:47:00.001+03:00

How can I describe the last few days? I have started writing this entry a number of times so will just go for it. Sadly, after a terrible car accident, my counterpart's father died this week. He had been flown last week from Mekelle to Addis to receive spinal treatment but apparently little could be done. They even considered flying him to Kenya for treatment. Within a few days, another

Guess what these phrases mean?

2009-04-11T22:02:00.001+03:00

Yegreta Baka Allo Tsegem Yellem Yeken-yelingGet the New Internet Explore 8 Optimised for MSN. Download Now

Puzzle Time

2009-04-10T23:00:00.001+03:00

k t l C r o c h a i m S W O h a k o k n a a H M d o g r E o k b y I i s o a E r y a o D N u m m H a a n n E n Q i o S c t y i R i w U c N a o t f O s a d I A m y a n u h b e e R a s w o l k a r i A T 1. Aranshee 2. bany 3. Beera 4. Bhuna 5. Chai 6. cho 7. Comidero 8.

Drink Up

2009-04-09T23:07:00.001+03:00

Tea – Chai, Coffee – Bhuna, Milky coffee – Mak-yato, Water – My, Tea/Coffee Mix – Spris, Ginger Tea - Kashir Milk – Tsaba, Beer – Beera, Sugar – su-qwa, Yoghurt - ergoGet the New Internet Explore 8 Optimised for MSN. Download Now

Off to market

2009-04-08T21:35:00.001+03:00

Potatoes – dinnish, onion – shinquirt, tomatoes - comidero, honey - MaR, eggs – Nkokahow, chilli – Karia, cabbage - gomen. Orange – aranshee, Lemon – lomin. Oh yes and banana is banana. Peanut - low-S, Pasta - macaroni, Bread – bany, Flour – fino, Salt – cho, Toilet Roll – soft. There are also many items that are sold

Breakfast and Dinner

2009-04-06T22:37:00.001+03:00

N-kok ahow fir-fir – Scrambled Egg N-kok-ahow Sils – Egg / Tomato mix Fata – Bread, Berbere, onion, tomato, yoghurt and egg Full – Tomato and bean served with bread Kitcha fir fir – tortilla wrap ripped up, fried and mixed with berbere and yoghurt --- Tibs – Frieds goat chunks and chilli Ky-wat – lamb curry Doro-wat –

Numbers Up

2009-04-05T21:21:00.001+03:00

1 – hada, 2 – kilta, 3 – selesta, 4 – arbata, 5 – hamushta, 6 – shadista, 7 – shawata, 8 – shamunta, 9 – Tshata, 10 – asseta 20 – isra, 30 – solasa, 40 – arba-a, 50 – hamsa, 60 – sissa, 70 – seba-a, 80 – samenya, 90 – teas, 100 – m-iti, 1000 - she e.g. 45 = arba-a hamushta" Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 Optimised for

Some Greetings

2009-04-04T23:14:00.001+03:00

I thought it was about time that I shared some local Tigrinya language with you. So over the next few days, I will add some useful words to learn; particularly if anyone comes to visit. · Seulam "Hello" · Dahan duha? "How are you?" (or as they say in English – "Are you fine?") · Kamay laha/

Conquer

2009-04-03T22:24:00.001+03:00

Aim Conquer is a card game, played with two packs (including jokers), loosely based on "Rummy". The aim of the game is to collect your hand into tricks of 3 or 4, either of the same number or a straight. The four suits are: ©lib (hearts), ¨diamonds, ªspears (spades) and §trees (clubs). Joker Before the cards are dealt

Make do and mend

2009-03-30T20:46:00.001+03:00

I guess it was bound to happen. But over the months I've either had to make bodge jobs, make do or find ingenious solutions to basic problems: So what have I achieved. Made a badminton net from the netting on the inside of my trousers Made a set of weighing scales from two bowls and a length of string Made a bucket shower that uses the real shower head Sewed up material to make a new

Time to think

2009-03-29T21:59:00.001+03:00

Yechila is one place on Saturdays where I train secretaries and teachers in using their school computer. Although after two visits, I have achieved nothing, as one trip there was no power and the other time someone had added a password and no one knew what it was. Third time lucky I hope. Still at least there are always school walls to look at. Elementary school walls are often painted in

Seasonal Changes

2009-03-28T21:08:00.001+03:00

Just thought I would include a comparison photograph of the change in seasons. The left photo was taken just after arriving, whereas the right was taken last week. Although 99% of days are dry, hot and sunny, you can clearly see the difference following the rainy season.Windows Live Hotmail just got better. Find out more!

Tekeze River

2009-03-27T21:28:00.001+03:00

"7% own 84% of all the wealth on earth" stated Ian Brown. I don't know if it's true but it made me think on my journey north, when I saw the major Tekeze river. Famous due to the enourmous dam that has been built further up stream to create hydro-power. Unfortunately, all that is left of this once wide, flowing river, is little more than a narrow stream in most places. A question floated

A Very English Debate

2009-03-26T22:11:00.001+03:00

Sitting next to someone who can type at speed in Tigrinian using a QWERTY keyboard to make the symbols used in the fidel script is worth watching. They use a program called Visual Geez which, when installed, allows the 230 or more symbols to be created using combinations of our 26 letters (and a Ctrl or Alt or two). I tried to replicate one word and it took 30 minutes. This task is made more

Following on from that....

2009-03-25T21:33:00.001+03:00

I learned yesterday that actually the region I am in is called Tigry (rhyming with my), not as the spelling suggests - Tigray (rhyming with may). You see when they translate, as we discovered on our language course, the instructors used the Roman alphabet to represent the Fidel sounds. Not a straight forward task as you get different spellings from the same teacher one day to the next. Beyond

Spelling

2009-03-24T23:57:00.001+03:00

It occurred to me an issue regarding phonetically based spelling. As I explained in Sounds Crazy (November), the characters represent sounds and therefore words can be spelt more easily without rule exceptions. However, as I have witnessed, even linguistically skilled teachers can sometimes read their own language slowly, sounding words out before taking onboard any meaning. This situation

Exactly

2009-03-22T22:35:00.001+03:00

Scrambled, Mayonnaise, Boiled, Omelette, French Toast, Fried. Do not worry I am not mad or even going that way. I just thought I would raise the issue of my increase in egg consumption in a light hearted way. It has literally become a staple for me. Breakfast and lunch. At 1 Birr each and less now during the fasting season, I'm looking for even more alternative ways of consuming them.

Sweet Apples

2009-03-21T23:02:00.001+03:00

Who would have thought that something as common and simple as an apple could create so much pleasure? I had not craved or desired the fruit but as I took a bite of my first "Braeburn-type" apple since September; the taste was amazing. Thoughts of apple crumble, pork sandwiches and fruit salad came rushing back. The discovery of an apple nursery where we can buy (for a short period) an apple

Long Nights and Hot Days

2009-03-20T16:30:00.001+03:00

Relatively speaking the days are getting longer here. When I arrived it would be dark by 6:30pm, whereas now I can expect at least another hour. It took a while getting used to the consistent length of days. Even though in the UK in can get dark earlier, the speed that the sun sets is much faster, taking less than 30 minutes.

Why animals behave differently towards vehicles

2009-03-19T13:12:00.001+03:00

One day, three animals, having spent the day at market, decided they needed to catch the bus home. During the day, the goat had been particularly careless and spent most of his money. So when he boarded the bus, he had to ask the driver if he could pay later. The dog, on the other hand, had been much more frugal, had not spent anything and therefore only had large denominations in his wallet.

Adwa and Axum

2009-03-11T22:18:00.001+03:00

When you finally drop over the last summit, after the bus has weaved its way up and down the hills from place to place, the towns laid out in front of you are always something to gaze on. Arriving in Adwa was no different from any other town. There's no ring road or main inlet route. You could well be driving through the market or even someone's driveway. All markets, everywhere, of all sizes

Wheels within wheels

2009-03-10T23:58:00.001+03:00

Last weekend, while I was in Axum, I met two Germans who were cycling to Tanzania. Along the way they had planned to interview various NGOs which were working in Africa, specifically helping with ICT. Their final destination is a group called Linux for Africa who are concentrating on setting up computer labs with free open source software. They were interested in many aspects, but the main

Bus Journeys

2009-03-06T21:28:00.001+03:00

Every bus trip I go on provides yet more interesting observations and events. The journey from Gondar after the Simien Mountains was no exception. We take the road north, which edges close to the border; the road where a bus last year was blown up. It is expected to take 11-12 hours as the road is not good and it

Cool Lamp

2009-03-06T12:47:00.001+03:00

Just a video of a cool lamp that Chris got as a gift. I know, I should be working but there really is nothing to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW7hzeOJPx4 Beyond Hotmail — see what else you can do with Windows Live. Find out more!

I’m having kittens

2009-03-05T21:47:00.001+03:00

Actually it's not me but Chris's cat, who this week gave birth to 3 kittens. Muffin decided over the New Year to start a family and hung around the neighbourhood looking for potential partners. She did not have to search for long and also quickly discovered that you can have more than one. For all those concerned, mother is doing well, eating more than normal and is partial to licking her

Simien Mountains

2009-03-04T22:54:00.001+03:00

The Simien Mountains are in the north of Ethiopia and are home to over ten 4000-metre peaks. The tallest being Ras Dashen at 4600m. Our plan was not to hike up that but close enough with Bwahit at 4400m. Debark is the town at the starting point at around 3200m and the plan is to walk into the range, camping at 3 sites, taking in some peaks and wild animals along the way. We aimed to see

Flying to Gondar

2009-03-03T21:33:00.001+03:00

After 2½ weeks in Addis, I was ready to leave. Waking early to travel, is common here and today is no different with a 4am start, ready for a 6:30am flight. I am joined at the airport by Alex, Marcel and Rene as the four of us are packed and ready to take on the Simien Mountains. The departure area appears more busy, congested and disorganised than usual. It would appear that the computers

In Country Training – February 2009

2009-03-02T21:39:00.001+03:00

When I returned to Addis for the Ethiopian run, it was an interesting feeling returning with more confidence in communicating and travelling around on the taxis. The flight cost 1200 Birr (£60) but considering that is more than half a month's wages. I am glad for two reasons that I am not living here. One, they have not had the opportunity to see the country or witness as much cultural

Internet Speeds

2009-02-26T22:57:00.001+03:00

While downloading a picture this evening, my laptop reached a new low. Instead of the standard 2-3 kbps / second that is sometime possible here, Windows quoted 340 bytes/sec! For those not completely familiar with these numbers, if you a have a 2 megabyte connection you may typically get speeds around 250,000 bytes /

Chinese Proverb

2009-02-25T21:59:00.001+03:00

Maybe not new to some of you, but I saw this painted on a school wall. I listen, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand.Beyond Hotmail - see what else you can do with Windows Live Find out more!

Per Diem

2009-02-24T21:57:00.001+03:00

"Per Diem" is standard practice here. I guess Latin experts will know what this means but for the rest of us, it basically means that any work outside your institution (even if the work is during work hours) you are provided with monies in retrospect to pay for meals and transport. The idea of using receipts as a fairer system would not work I'm told. I receive 42 Birr for each day trip, even

The Wanderer Returns

2009-02-23T23:38:00.001+03:00

I'm back! Apologies for not keeping the blog up to date and thanks to those people who asked for them. It was a tiring, yet very exciting time, over the last month: 13 different beds, 2 flights, 30 hours on buses (15 in one consecutive trip), nearly 1000 miles, 8 morning starts at 5am and who knows how much money has been spent. I'm happy to be back but return to no water and power.

Danakil Video

2009-01-22T23:03:00.001+03:00

Danakil You Tube Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSsjFypdxHM The video begins with the journey towards the salt plains through the villages and then pans across the salt plains. After a short walk up the slope, the various rock formations and hot geysers bubble away. The final section shows the camel trains being

New Volunteers

2009-01-20T23:31:00.001+03:00

Having been here now for over 4 months, I feel truly experienced :-) and relish the prospect to pass on my new found knowledge to fresh volunteers, who find themselves in the position I was last September. So with that in my mind, I put my name forward last week to help those travelling out this February. For whatever reason, maybe a lack of names or simply someone to set up the Internet, I

Abi Adi World Cup

2009-01-19T21:40:00.001+03:00

As the College Sports Tournament reached a close, the Elementary School Teachers arrived in their kit of Arsenal and Manchester United shirts. It was clear from the outset that the home college team had given little thought to preparation. A large crowd had turned out however, if to see nothing else than the new signing, a ferenji playing at left back. He stood and watched as his team argued

Gebre Fano

2009-01-17T21:33:00.001+03:00

One of our three drivers to the Danakil was "Gebre Fano". Our guide, on the morning of leaving, had to call around at the last minute as our numbers rose. When he arrived, the only obvious difference from his 4x4 to the others was some bright, cheesy posters on the side clearly advertising a singer. It quickly transpired; he was that very same singer. Not only that, he is very famous in this

Danakil Depression

2009-01-16T21:26:00.001+03:00

Last weekend, I have been on a mini-adventure. A mixture of VSO volunteers and GTZ (German NGO) headed off into the Afar region, which is a poorly developed area even by Ethiopian standards. We leave Mekelle and head east for about 8 hours (about 50km). Most of the journey is slow and bumpy and our 4x4s are essential. The Danakil depression is registered as the hottest (average of 35oC and

Drainage and workmen

2009-01-15T18:56:00.001+03:00

With my sewer drain blocked and the back garden slowly housing a flowing river, I requested someone to fix the problem. It should be noted that this original request was a few weeks ago and has only just been carried out. After an initial assessment, my surveyor instructed his commies where to dig the channel to check the pipe. Unfortunately a few hours later, they were told that the channel

Meanings of Names

2009-01-12T21:56:00.001+03:00

Below is a selection of names with their meanings in brackets. A: Addisalem (New World), Assefu (Advance) B: Berhane (Light), Birkty (blessed) C: Chirkos (baby SAINT), D: Deselgn (Happy), Desta (Happiness) E: Endrias (SAINT), Eyrusalem (Jersualem) F: Fikadu (Permission), Frehiwot (new life) G: Goitom (Lord), Genet (

Naming People

2009-01-11T22:58:00.001+03:00

The process of family names and naming babies is quite different. Out goes the concept of a family name descended for generations, as does a woman taking a man's name when they marry. Instead, each child takes their father's name as their second name. Therefore, where we mainly have distinct firstnames and surnames; here there are just first names everywhere. Each region also has its

Coffee Ceremony

2009-01-04T21:26:00.001+03:00

One unexpected new experience for me is enjoying coffee. Sharing not one, but three small cups of coffee is a tradition that has its very own expanded ceremony. The servant will begin by fanning the metal bucket of warm charcoals with a wicker mat until flames can be seen. Fresh beans are then roasted slowly in a small saucepan until they change from a yellow to black. The saucepan is then

Funny moments

2009-01-01T22:43:00.001+03:00

A selection of funny pictures - http://www.flickr.com/photos/30047150@N02/ Take your friends with you with Mobile Messenger. Click Here!

Tahsas 23

2009-01-01T01:03:00.000+03:00

While many of you look forward to a day off work sitting in front of Empire Strikes Back or Turner and Hooch, think of me having to crawl into work and train. Actually, I have had a lovely evening as a number of colleagues recognised it was ferenji new year and stayed up till 12. I was presented with a set of traditional Ethiopian dress which as you can see I am wearing with style. I wish all

Not Sharing Skills

2008-12-29T22:47:00.001+03:00

I played my first game of football in Ethiopia today. Apart from being unfit, under-skilled, playing in the dark and having no clue who was on which side – I think I held my own. Not sure I can think of any more excuses. It was meant to be a teacher's practise for a game against the local high school on Sunday morning. Except the coach, no one else but me turned up. Anyway, I joined in with

Ethiopian Pool Rules Addendum

2008-12-28T21:07:00.000+03:00

Addendum: Rule 8: After the white returns to the table after being potted, the white must travel over the baulk line before hitting the target ball. Rule 9: The exception of no fouls on ball 3 has been changed due to ferenji pressure. In Mekelle, fouls do count on ball 3 and like the potting score, the foul is worth 6. Rule 15: In the event of a tie at the end of the game, balls 1,2 and 3

Christmas Wishes

2008-12-28T00:33:00.001+03:00

Thanks to all who sent their Christmas Wishes. I hope those that received my card followed my instructions. Crissy and I decided rather than carry our presents to Mekelle we would have an unofficial pre-Christmas Day on 23rd. We cooked goat and had a fine selection of veg (if a little burnt). Christmas Day was spent in Mekelle with other volunteers and counterparts. 25 people in all. After

Long Way Down

2008-12-18T21:44:00.001+03:00

For anyone struggling to imagine what Ethiopia may be like. I can say that having watched the two episodes that cover Ethiopia from "The Long Way Down", they paint a good picture. The end of episode 3 and beginning of 4 see them enter Ethiopia in the north and travel south to Kenya. Unfortunately not exactly where I am but very similar.

Environmental Day

2008-12-14T17:07:00.001+03:00

Sometimes pictures have to be seen to be believed. Check out the cleaning the campus pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30047150@N02/. Last week it was a countrywide environmental day, which I was informed meant that everybody was tasked with tidying their local area. The fact that every training session I have attended, results in 50 teachers throwing their biscuit wrappers and

Goat Slaughter

2008-12-12T18:42:00.001+03:00

The morning of the party was spent at a cattle market (with colleague) haggling for a goat. Standard practise is to start low, disagree, wait, walk away, return, continue, argue and finally agree somewhere in between. My price Birr 420 – looks healthy and ready for roasting. Children hang around as normal but this time they carry rope and offer a goat-sitting/walking service until it is needed

Sting in the tale

2008-12-11T22:22:00.001+03:00

Contrary to popular belief, I do not drink often here. However, as it was a party, and many had attended, I took the opportunity to drink more than usual. So returning after the party (via a tej house and watching Manu v Sunderland) at about 11:30pm, I went to bed fully clothed. I think I have set the scene and situation clearly.

Party On

2008-12-10T21:47:00.000+03:00

My party in Mylomin at the weekend went well. Some photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30047150@N02/ About 1 km from Abi Adi, it would probably be described as a hamlet in the UK. However, when anyone refers to the place here, they are always talking about the bar. I am not exaggerating when I call the setting "paradise". The sort of place that in different circumstances could bring in

Shocking News

2008-12-09T22:07:00.001+03:00

A sombre day as news travels quickly that a student committed suicide last night. Thankfully, I am informed early on, as often information is not shared. Classes are cancelled. Although a first for this college, apparently it is not uncommon at University. It is another reminder that I am often unfamiliar with cultural differences. How should I act? What should I say? Some teachers appear

Quiztime

2008-12-08T22:04:00.001+03:00

Name 3 American states with the letters USA in. Answers as blog comments.Take your friends with you with Mobile Messenger. Click Here!

Driving

2008-12-05T21:55:00.001+03:00

Well I got the chance to try out some driving today. Not exactly off-road but close enough. You can tell by my expression that I had to concentrate really hard. Not just the driving on the wrong side, or even the dust and slippy stoney surface, but the mad bus drivers that charge towards you or appear from nowhere and overtake anywhere they feel like. Don't think I'm really allowed by VSO or

Fuel Crisis

2008-12-03T23:23:00.001+03:00

The fuel crisis seems to have hit even the reaches of Ethiopia. The buses are currently on strike due to rising fuel prices. Ongoing disagreements with the government over ticket prices which have risen from 20-24 Birr while I've been here. This often means that many people with their own transport take the opportunity, to illegally transport people around the country. That said, some

Flickr pictures 5

2008-12-02T22:03:00.001+03:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30047150@N02/Win John Lewis vouchers with BigSnapSearch.com Search now

Power On

2008-12-01T21:41:00.001+03:00

I went to a school today to set up their computer and provide some initial training. After being picked up at 6am and travelling 90 minutes over rough ground we arrived. The usual mix of local children hang around once they see a ferenji visiting. Walking around the village we visit a restaurant and try out some Tigrinian. And on the way back, what looks like someone's front room we enjoy a

Abi Adi to Adwa

2008-11-30T20:45:00.001+03:00

An alarm clock at half 5 even here, with little stress and daylight on its way, is still way too early. Alex and I were heading north to Adwa and Axum. Two towns near the border with Eritrea, the latter being the big tourist attraction, having the Stelae fields and Ark of the Covenant to visit. Our journey "experience sharing" was to catch with up fellow volunteers. So a college car took us

Reading Books

2008-11-28T22:32:00.003+03:00

I have now finished "A Spot of Bother" and followed that up with "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen". My next book shall be "HP7-Deathly Hallows" and "Curious Dog in the Night". Based on those titles, I would be very interested for suggestions on a similar theme. Something light hearted, not too heavy. Has anyone heard of "Driving over Lemons" or "The Bone People"? as I have them already left by

Ethiopian medal Picture

2008-11-28T22:32:00.001+03:00

Alongside is Julia, a short-term volunteer in Addis.Read amazing stories to your kids on Messenger Try it Now!

Great Ethiopian Run

2008-11-27T21:22:00.001+03:00

The Great Ethiopian Run is a 10km race in the centre of Addis Abeba. Started by the famous Ethiopian athlete, Haile Gebreselassie, 8 years ago; all money raised goes to charity. Ethiopia won the men and women's 5km and 10km at this year's Olympics. As with many things here, on closer inspection, they are not that

Sounds Crazy

2008-11-26T21:26:00.001+03:00

Tigrinian and Amharic used the fidel script. This is made up using a set of 33 characters - generally consonants and then adapted (using an additional stroke) depending on which of the 7 vowel sounds that follows. This creates confusion when the language is written using our alphabet, as how the word is pronounced decides which letters are used. Also, as they do not use capital letters, they

Home and Away

2008-11-25T20:08:00.001+03:00

Although so many things here are new. There are a few things that remind me that I'm not that far away: Champions League on tele. Guardian Weekly A 1000 piece jigsaw of Britain Computers St. George – a British tasting lager Dashen – a British tasting beer However there are also things that are a constant

Time & Dates

2008-11-19T22:33:00.001+03:00

As well as the times here being different so are the dates. The day time starts with the sunrise at 6am so is hence 12 o'clock. And likewise the daytime ends with sunset and hence 6pm. So 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night. You just get used to converting the time, adding/deleting hours but soon realise that they use both happily and start to confuse them.

Fill her up please!

2008-11-16T17:39:00.001+03:00

Post your captions hereRead amazing stories to your kids on Messenger Try it Now!

Flickr photos

2008-11-13T21:39:00.001+03:00

More flicker photos here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/30047150@N02/Win £1000 John Lewis shopping sprees with BigSnapSearch.com Search now

I got the power

2008-11-12T21:59:00.001+03:00

Due to Christian fasting every Wednesday and Friday which involves not eating dairy and meat, I made "shiro" (a paste made from tomato, onion and shiro "chick pea" powder) for my counterpart. Apart from forgetting that an electric hob should not be plugged into a 500W stabiliser and nearly burning the place down, I think it went well. They were polite and said that it was nice, although felt it

My counterpart told me this

2008-11-11T22:43:00.001+03:00

Bill Gates was visited by God. God said to him, " You have made much money but have also donated much to worthy causes. When you die, you may choose whether you enter heaven or hell." "How should I choose? Can I see both?" So Bill was taken to see heaven where he saw those familiar green fields but the problem was that everything was perfect and nothing needed updating. God then took Bill to

Myknetal

2008-11-04T18:13:00.001+03:00

This weekend I visited one of the cluster schools that Crissy supports. There are about 50, split into 5 woredas (LEAs) around Abi Adi covering a very large area. The team spend most weekends with early starts (around 7) carrying out training for the teachers in that area. Training is on Assessment, Lesson Plans – the usual. On this occasion, I went along to set up the computer that had

Sharing skills and Changing lives

2008-11-02T21:46:00.001+03:00

VSO's motto. This week was excellent. I guess you just need to grab someone's interest and make it relevant. Something I was already aware of, but it's difficult to communicate the whole process sometimes. At first, things were going slow and I did not feel as though they believed in the plan. I've shown how to install a complete computer lab this week. Connected 26 computers, installed

Another viewpoint

2008-10-31T20:43:00.001+03:00

You can view my friend's blog here alexlittle.net. He is an IT volunteer at Mekelle.Read amazing stories to your kids on Messenger Try it Now!

Chelenqua

2008-10-29T18:36:00.001+03:00

Visiting Mekelle (one of my IT purchasing trips) I was able to do the tourist thing and walk to a nearby waterfall. The nearby village was a 5km walk from Mekelle across a set of fields of tef -turned into flour to make injera. On the journey, a man walking his donkey decided it was his duty to carry our bottled water and directed a young lad to guide (called guards) us to the waterfall when we

For my sins

2008-10-28T21:39:00.001+03:00

Not even for a drunken bet I have signed up to run in the Ethiopian 10km run. In the centre of Addis at 2400m and 30oC, I will attempt to complete a distance I could previously run at ease. I tried to run here in Abi Adi the other day and found it quite difficult. The altitude and heat make it very different. Although I do not intend to set up any formal charity collection. For anyone

Pictures & Videos

2008-10-27T19:33:00.001+03:00

More Photos can be viewed here: (mostly taken from Myknetal -the nearest town north towards Adwa where we visited a school that we donated a computer to.) http://www.flickr.com/photos/30047150@N02/ A short dance video from the end of our training in Addis at the Red Cross Training Centre can be viewed here: (watch carefully or you might miss me) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxLsK868_ToGet

And the list goes on

2008-10-27T19:06:00.001+03:00

It would appear that just about everyone I meet is moving on. The basic system here is to start working in the small places and move to the big city after a few years. This however means that some places (including here) get very high turnover of staff. Hence the constant need to train. I'm beginning to wonder if it something I said. Having said that, I am beginning to feel very much at

Woody in Africa

Departure Time 1935

The Final Cut

This is the news

New flavours

What a load of rubbish

Eggs, oil and salt

Summer Plans