Crime of the century??

Before I came to Addis, the question was asked ... why bring 2 computers?? Every day I leave the office I am so glad I did. No computer lugging and, if I go somewhere where I may leave a handful of things on a table while I go to the buffet table (for example), at least one of them is not a computer. I gave the inkeeper at Deker Inn my schedule today of when I will and will not need a room. He called me back and said that was fine. He also said when I am away, just leave the stuff in the room. I am here so long that is not a problem. I told him I would have none of that and would pack up my stuff so the room could be rented. He was grateful; yet another example of these people's good naturedness. I am going to leave a suitcase here and take one with me as well as one Paul will lend me. Then I can bring back stuff for him in my second checked bag. He wants, surprise surprise, maple syrup and Oreo doubletops :) I did some looking around at safaris today and exchanged a few emails with some vendors. Looks like we will leave Nairobi Sunday AM and be back mid-afternoon the following Friday. Yippeee!! We are in the season where the wildebeast migrate across the plains of east Africa and may get to see them. Way Too Cool. We would be staying in luxury lodges the 5 nights we are away. I know the Sweet Thing wants that; I just hope what the safari company and Mrs. Abbey think are luxury are close to one another. She would fly from Ottawa on Thursday, and we would meet in Nairobi Friday. We would stay somewhere in Nairobi for 2 nights then head off to the safari. We would both fly back (Addis and Ottawa) around midnight the Friday we get back. No tennis today, probably not until Wednesday. I am going for a fitting for my $64 tailor-made suit tomorrow after work. I splurged tonight and spent $7 on dinner; veal parmigiana with veggies, rice, and pasta. Off to play some guitar; I am trying to learn the last few refrains of Hide in Your Shell. If you need to know what a bridge, turnaround, or refrain is, please ask Mrs. K. A. "If I can help you, if I can help you, if I can help you, just let me know", to quote that famous SuperTramp ditty.

Environmentally correct.

I was dragged from my office this morning to see the MoFED (acronym for the department that is engaging my services) lawn mower. There were 4 or 5 sheep grazing on the grass/plants beside the office. They were herded away by their keeper, and after coffee, there appeared to be 4 more lawn-mowing four-legged creatures on hand. My my they do multiply quickly.

A big day in Addis

I am going to try to iron out the details for Sweet Thing's trip here in November. We need to get airfare from Ottawa to Nairobi return as well as mine from Addis to Nairobi and back. We also have to sign up for a safari and we are going to opt for the lodge rather than the camping option and pay the premium for a private room. I spoke to a travel agent Friday about all this and will see what they have to say when they get back to me. I also seem to have a little bit of a cold and I will take some meds for that and see if it helps. It was warm and sunny most of the weekend except for the downpour late Saturday afternoon. The warm weather is coming. The natives look at ferenge as though he is weird ... shorts and sandals are not common here ... they want the western look; they've got it.

On the seventh day I sort of rested.

Sunday has been a good day. I had tennis with Hiruy at 9AM and that was a good workout. I went out for a bite after that and checked out a showtime at Edna mall. There was supposed to be Addis idol there at some time and I had to check when. As it turns out it was scheduled for 3PM. I informed Dr. Paul and we made plans to meet there at 2:30. When eating a late breakfast, 2 street kids started asking me for money. I turned them down and they hovered at the corner at the bottom of the stairs at the restaurant I was eating. I finally decided to give them my left over french fries which they appreciated big time. They smiled and gave me a thumbs up and the fries were gone on no time. This gave me an idea which may end up being new way to deal with street people ... feed them rather than not give them money. Monday will be a no tennis day as I am experiencing a little discomfort turning my head to the right. Melaku, whom I met again yesterday at Bole 19 tennis is going to be getting me a guitar strap at merkato tomorrow which will be the stand in until I get my Mighty Moe (guitar strap with amplifier inline) hopefully back from ABC Trading Tuesday. Have a safe trip up to Ottawa Joel. JJ do not forget what starts tomorrow ... US Open.

The kid is hot tonight ...

As per the words of that famous Loverboy song ... hot does not describe the day I have had. Naturally with my big plans of sleeping in, I did. Ya right, until 7:30! I had some breakfast, packed the knapsack for my planned outing(s) today, and left around 8:30 for the Bole 19 tennis club. The place was bustling by the time I got there. I sat for a while then asked the people close to me if anyone spoke English. The youngest of the gang (about 12 maybe) said he did. I was told to speak with the coach who was just finishing up a lesson on court 1 with a couple. He introduced himself as Hiruy (pronounced Heer-oo-ee) and the fun began. We warmed up for 30 or 40 minutes then played a set which he won 5-1. The ball boys were cute and, like most 12 year-olds quite lazy. They loved my racket and new tennis balls. After the game, the guy showed up who I had been speaking with last Sunday when Tagel took me to show me the club. We sat and had what turned out to be called "machiatto", very much like a cap in Canada. The three of us chatted and chatted and chatted. We spoke about music too and Melaku, the guy from last week, was especially interested in my musical prowess. Melaku offered to drive me to Dembel to look for a guitar strap. Dembel is on one of the Bole roads and is a western-like shopping centre. He suggested going to ABC first (a music/sound store near Dembel) as I needed to see if I could get my guitar strap amp fixed. It stopped working last night. The power comes on but no volume. When I wiggle the speaker where it attaches to the strap I hear the familiar growl of electronics from an amplifier. I left the strap there as they thought they could fix. I left my cell number and Melaku left his too in case they needed to give some information that I would not be able to understand. He then took me to see the Greek club, near Dembel, a very nice country club. If I were to join it is very affordable but I will stay at Bole 19 as it is closer and where my tennis life has started in Addis. I was told that it is possible to play at Bole 19 as late as 9 PM which is good to know. I was not going all week since I was not getting home until almost 6:30. Melaku brought me back to Deker Inn and we visited for a while and he looked at my guitar. He told me of some European guys that get together at a club to jam and said he would turn me onto them. S W E E T !!! I was told to call Hiruy on his cell when I am thinking of coming to the club for tennis and he will give me a good time. I told him 90 minutes of tennis is best for me and that I would like to do half lesson and half game and he said fine. I asked him where I could go to watch the US open and he told me really the only place in the whole city is the Hilton. I showered and am just heading out for a stroll which will include lunch. I am pumped; or did you not notice :)

I a'freak'a OUT

Three weeks at Deker Inn ... $1,050 Two St. George's beer with dinner in Addis ... $1.32 Extra towels for my room ... $6.25 A week in Africa with the Sweet Thing ... priceless. She's a comin' to Africa the first week of November. Details to follow. I bought a custom-made suit here today for $62 USD, I am going in for the first fitting Tuesday. Do you think I paid too much? Mike Mallia (that cheap b__t__d) especially will like that price.

A good day ... all quiet.

Pretty uneventful day at work. Paul suggested we stop on the way home tomorrow from work to look at suits. Supposedly they are about 45 USD here for something nice. I am going to look for 2 suits ... one as close to white as possible though I am told I would have to settle for khaki. The other will be black or very dark blue hopefully with stripes. Saturday, weather permitting, I will hit the tennis club after breakfast and see what's doing there. All week I got home too late from work to go. I am starting to get to know my way around this town. The biggest thing to remember is that Bole road is also called Africa avenue and one of its biggest intersections is where Bole (also known as Africa) meets Bole (also known as Africa); who would'a thunk. It seems like Calgary where the kids live on Saddlefield between Saddlefield and Saddlefield. Really that's true, except the first's a crescent, the second a drive and the third who knows! Ileana flag red today; guess what? It's raining ...