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Update - 17th October 2005

FUN FROM THE FIELD 12:

Hi all you guys!
Well we have all met up and are working at the bonding things to make ourselves into something of a team.

Kerry and Barry and I met up in Addis last Friday morning - they had arrived the previous Tuesday and I flew in from Cairo soon after midnight. I was relieved to find a note in my room from them so slept well knowing that they were in the same place! Kerry and I went to a workshop run by the parents of children and young people with intellectual disability - mostly carpet making - I was amazed that the students were so pleased to speak with and, of course, to have their photos taken!nFor the rest of the day we saw some of the sights in Addis, bought maps and enjoyed a wonderful bookshop - including serious conversations about the state of play in the country with the owners. Kiros came to the hotel with his family (wife, son and daughter) and told us proudly that he could not stay as he was going to a reception at the British Embassy but the family stayed and had Dinner with us. Communication was mostly through the 12 year old son who speaks good English and told us he likes maths and wants to be a civil engineer!

On Saturday, we spent some time at the airport - had a problem with the total luggage weight and, even without my carry on bag we were 27 kgs over the allowance - so had to pay 140 Brr about (A$25) - could have been worse. Kerry and Barry had an interesting hour trying to access and download their emails at the internet cafe - very slow and not much helped by the power failing in the middle of the time so they had to start again! When we got to the gate there seemed to be some question as to whether there was a seat for me but after a few anxious moments, I was given a boarding pass. As we flew over the land, I was stunned by the rugged nature of the terrain - steep escarpments and ravines, very mountainous, with cleared tiny patches of land cultivated. Some signs of contour terracing.

Helen was at the airport to meet us with 2 cars - REST and ORSA and drivers. We went straight to the house where she had made splendid preparations with sleeping arrangements, bedding etc as well as food supplies .Plumbing problems with water and toilets continuing. We spent the afternoon talking and wandered to a little shop at the end of the stony road to buy bottled water, fruit etc. Later, Maria came to fetch us and took us to an Ethiopian restaurant for food and dancing. Wonderful music, dancing and singing - with everyone of all ages joining in, except Barry and myself - next time perhaps!

Yesterday, reality set in. Barry and I were the wise ones and did some washing before we set off to the town to check emails etc - but of course the power was off, so couldn't do that - also could not get coffee - a great disappointment. Went to a large (if dark) supermarket and bought more supplies. In the afternoon we went to visit Zermichael and his family for the traditional coffee making ceremony. I was a bit disappointed to see that they were using plastic grass and a kit for the charcoal. The main problem was that we had made a real effort to tidy ourselves up in better clean clothes and the coffee was slopped into the saucers and we were all mindful of the need to keep clean. We all managed three small cups of coffee without soiling our clothes - great relief! We had a planning meeting with Helen advising us about where she sat with various projects and setting some time lines etc for our activities.

Today we have power but no water! Serous concerns about how to keep ourselves clean not to mention washing clothes and hair washing is required too! We leave for a week long field trip on Wednesday so that may solve all these problems. We are all well although Kerry has a cold

Best love and good wishes to you all from the fantastic 4.
Ursula et alia
17 October 2005