Day 7: First Taste of Rain

G'day everyone!

This morning felt so nice to sleep in. I slept until about 9 am then the cleaning maid came in to start her normal cleaning. She saw me and began to apologize and then she said, "20 minutes, yes." I laughed it off and went to get ready for the day.

Hannah was having troubles with her phone so I wasn't able to reach her to meet up for breakfast. It was already over by the time I went by to look anyway. But, for the time being, I sat on a bench under a tree outside our hostel. It was already a really nice day with a good breeze. I waited for Hannah to see what we wanted to do today.

We went to Sululta and I finished up the last of the documents that Dr. Olivier had given me to read. It was all on the history of African cattle again. Still very interesting and I think I have a better grasp as to what Dr. Olivier wanted me to learn. I look forward to learning about my project in the next few days.

We went to lunch at the Zebu club where I got a cheese and tuna sandwich (although I ordered a cheese vegetable sandwich, but I'm not sure they would've understood what I meant if I 'returned it'). It was decent, but I am not a huge tuna person! After lunch we went back to our rooms and just relaxed. Nardos had called Hannah and told her that she wanted to take us out to coffee in the city.

Around 5:30 pm Nardos met us at the Housing Office and walked us to a very nice coffee shop not far from the ILRI campus. She ordered Hannah and I cappuccinos and very delicious custard-pastry type of cake. Nardos told us that mainly 'higher class' people go to this shop but she was very happy to treat us!

  

(The coffee shop)

 

Soon after we finished our coffee and cake, Nardos took us to another coffee shop where she ordered tea. Hannah and I passed this round because we had just eaten at the other shop. But I have to say, the tea and coffee here in Ethiopia are definitely to die for! One thing that we noticed about this coffee shop, this time, was the logo looked quite similar to Starbucks! 

(Nardos' tea cup)

This time, I felt quite a bit better about being in the city. I am getting used the hustle and bustle of the big city. It was raining while we were out but it felt kind of nice. It made it very cool outside but it's actually enjoyable compared to the heat back home (which I am aware that we are not getting the normal heat these last few days back at home!) Tomorrow we are going to National Museum of Ethiopia. Several people have told us that skeleton 'Lucy' is on display otherwise known as one of our 'ancestors'. I'm excited to see the museum and learn a little bit more about Ethiopia (a.k.a. the place of origins).