Friday on my mind

Oi vays meer ... I don't know where to start. I started the audit on IBEX2 (the new Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, aka MoFED system) today. I have 17 deliverables of which 5-7 of them are turnkey. I must dive into the development environment to audit that setup and look at a handful of different sets of documentation prepared by Dulcian who did the work. There is one deliverable that could be as late as March so I will negotiate with my boss Ato Mussa on that one as I am only here until the end of December. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am making plans to spend 3 days in Istanbul the week after next. I would return to Addis on Wednesday, work 2 days, then fly off to La Terre de la Chose Sucrée (aka Canada). We are on a very limited budget for the trip to Istanbul but I know we can make it. I spent some time with some colleagues at MoFED trying to install Oracle on a fresh Linux box. This task in itself is quite simple; installing Oracle must be Murphy's law on steroids. It did not go well (the first time in hmmmmmmmmmm ... 2 tries :)) and I sent Burhan back to the drawing board to check on RPM's and some kernel packages. I mentioned to check the C compiler at the same time to make sure it is current enough for 10g. After lunch I hoofed it down to the bank and withdrew money to give Deker Inn. On the way back there was some sort of skirmish and people running around; it had something to do with someone taking some money off a dish towel laid on the pavement in front of a panhandler. After work I took the customary drive back to Deker and immediately changed and headed out for a big night on the town ... walking to the Chinese restaurant for dinner and walking back. The walk there was uneventful though I did see a whole new part of Bole road on foot for the first time. The food was great. I must have asked 4 or 5 times for rice. I am not sure why they do not bring it with the first dish, and that happens each time I am there. I had a chicken with peanuts and LOTS of spices as well as sweet and sour pork (kosher of course :)). With a beer, it all came to $10. My trip to the Chinese restaurant re-inforced my impression that the 3 words one hears most from ferenge (remember that's what they call foreigners) are "more napkins please". Remembering the plethora of napkins at restaurants in Canada is a distant dream. At the GP, for example, after they bring the food, napkins arrive 'cause they know I need lots of them. I took the leftovers home "take away". That is the Amharic word for "doggy bag". The best was yet to come ... what is wrong with me ... a simple walk in a big city turns into an adventure and if a mouse were to cross my path I could write about it as if it was a life-rearranging experience :) Know what? Nothing's wrong with me ... it's called the simple life in Ethiopia; simple is NOT intended to be a put down, it's a compliment. About halfway home, I noticed about 4 men working on the right rear of a car. When I got closer, I observed someone lying on newspapers doing some fidgeting under the car. A taxi was parked behind, using its headlights as a work light. I stopped and asked if they would like to use my flashlight and they gladly took me up on my offer. I figured they were doing a flat tire. The got the car jacked up but the point they chose did not start far enough down on the car frame to allow the wheel to clear the ground when the jack was fully extended. They proceeded to let the car down and, while the guy with the jack positioned it under a lower part of the frame, the 3 other guys lifted the car up as he slid the jack underneath. Mission accomplished. I then realized I was becoming an Ethiopian; helping strangers, chatting with people as a way to pass the time, and just generally being a good person. Boy it feels good. I did one of my famous roll-over-on-the-side-of-my-foot yesterday as I was walking. I do this all the time and it could have been worse. In the early 70's I did it three times in the period of a few years, breaking a small bone on the outside of my left foot each time. Yesterday was mild compared to that. I may not be able to play tennis tomorrow. Hiruy the coach said I need not call early, just make sure he knows if I am not coming ... off to play my git-box. That's right Ben, Geckshie is on another continent ... Lafth.

Yet another golden opportunity

Alongside my contact at the Ministry, I am in the midst of making plans to go to Istanbul for 3 days, leaving a week Monday. The BRIM development environment that is being used here for the system I am auditing is written and maintained in Istanbul Turkey. With a few others, we would sit with the developers in Istanbul and become more familiar with the BRIM engine. A stamp of approval on the engine from the Ministry personnel would be beneficial for all. The old cliché "when it rains it pours" is so applicable here, except in a good way. Not only does he get to go to Ethiopia and Kenya, but Turkey as well. I am told there is a spot in Istanbul that demarcates the continental divide between Europe and Asia. I have never been in 2 continents at the same time but that is about to change.

Ethiopian night club

We went to Yod Abyssinia last night for food and  entertainment. In the scheme of things we got there late, about 7:30, and the place was almost full. We were escorted to a table to share with some locals who were very nice. There was a band ... flute, percussion, guitar, and I do not remember what else. The music was enjoyable and there was an assortment of singers and acrobatics on stage for a few hours. Some of the acts were quite extraordinary. The food was traditional Ethiopian and somewhat to my liking. Some friends, Abraha, wife and one of their staff from home showed up about 9 and we visited with them before I cabbed it back to Deker. I am adding him to the list for people who want something from Canada; so far that list is: Dr. Paul --> Oreos and maple syrup Tagel --> a label maker Melaku --> CBT guitar training or book Abraha --> will let me know Hiruy --> tennis balls Robert Dorsey I am bringing a ukelele for since he has shown so much interest in my guitar. Melaku called and said the guitar strap amplifier had an A/C (power) problem ans may be fixed as soon as today. That would be sweet. Still no plans for the weekend but would like to get to merkato and look at some shoes and shirts. Stay tuned naturally for the debut of the new suit on Monday evening.

Everything is tickety-boo

I don't know the origin of that expression, must be part of some urban legend ...possibly related to the Hindi expression "tickee babu", meaning "everything's alright, sir". Tennis last night was great except it is twice the price of playing during the day. If it costs 50 birr daytime and 98 birr evening that's a big difference but not really in the scheme of things. My serve has deteriorated since I have not been practicing. Hiruy said he's bring a basket of balls next time and I could practice. I went to the bank and used the ATM again today; what a pleasure rather than having to wait in the bank until my number is called. I am hoping to hear back from some of the safari outfits today. No plans whatsoever for the weekend yet but I will definitely play tennis Saturday and Sunday. If I do not go early Saturday, the kids take the courts until noon or so. TCWO ... if you are reading this, one of the reasons tennis is twice the price in the evening is overtime for the coach and the ball boy. Overtime ... maybe you should try that Sarah. I am already bubbling with the excitement of a trip back to Canada in 15 days. The time in some ways has been flying in Addis but on the other hand it seems like I have been here for a long time. To quote that famous Bing Crosby song ... I'm dreaming of my wife's chicken :)

Banking on it

I went to the bank with Bezeba (Dr. Paul's accountant) today to cash a cheque and get my bank card. I am so glad he comes with me as I would be lost without him. When I need to just do a deposit or withdrawl, that's easy. Anything else involving dialogue would be impossible. I did get my bank card, and as soon as I used it the machine kept it. We went back inside and they re-activated it properly this time. When I go to the bank on my own, I am given a number and am served naturally when my turn comes up. I always think, if I have a low enough number, that I will also be able to get a  chocolate babka. If I have a too high number, they may be out (Seinfeld season 5 episode 7). I may play tennis tonight. Hiruy will call me if the courts are dry enough. Otherwise, I will do my normal thing and maybe even play some guitar :) My luck watching the US Open on ESPN ran out real quickly; it's all on ESPN2 which I do not get in my hotel so I will have to do without or go to the Hilton as planned.

Safari

I am weighing the opportunities for safari-week in November. I am speaking with a number of vendors about leaving Nairobi Sunday the 1st and returning Friday the 6th. We would have a day in Nairobi at the end, and both fly out late Saturday. I have read that this is in the wildebeest migration season. It would be nice to see those creatures stampeding across the terrain; it's supposed to be a site to see. One of the firms is quoting me a price on a private safari with just me at the Sweet Thing. I would also hope to see some wild Borgies (a creature usually indigenous to Calgary AB) as well :) Borgie is one of many nicknames for my youngest. I just hope we are not too far from a parlour in case I break a nail or some such disaster. It's amazing that the Sweet Thing can get a week off in the middle of a semester; I believe she puts in enough extra time to compensate. As I said in the song I wrote for her last birthday "No-one teaches school in June".

Who would'a thunk?

ESPN at the Deker Inn = US Open. Way too cool. We are 7 hours ahead of NYC so tennis prime time will run here from 7PM to 7AM. I will be up late to watch the semis and finals that will probably start at 9 or 10PM here. Supposed to hear back from ABC Trading today about my guitar strap amp; I hope it's fixable.