Day 4 - Christmas Eve in Bahir Dar

Hiii J so today we left the capital city, Addis, and flew to a town 2,000ft below Addis called Bahir Dar. We were up at 4.45am, ready to leave the house for just gone 5. After a few hours at the airport and a 50 minute flight, we landed safely J We got a mini bus to the Ghion hotel where we are staying for the night. As soon as we arrived, we had a macchiato and some breakfast overlooking Lake Tana, where the hotel provides free wifi, which we were very happy about! Jonny and I took a walk along the banks of the lake, where we saw a group of around 30 males cleaning themselves in it. The lake is known for having a variety of fish and probably disease in it, but it is the only place the locals can have access to water to clean themselves. We then walked into town, which is a lot less polluted and less noisy town compared to Addis, with more affluent members and more greenery. There are still beggars in the street however, and as we were sitting in a bar a disabled man and two elderly beggars came up to us with their hands open, which was quite awkward and uncomfortable. At this bar, we met Dominic – an American from Upstate New York, who’s class we are teaching for 3 weeks. We then rode a Took Took/Bajaj about 10 minutes out of the town centre, and to the school, where we discussed with Dominic his expectations from us and our expectations of the children. Our class is a Year 1 and 2 class of around 18 children, with 16 Ethiopians, 1 British and 1 German boy. He explained that the majority of the children have such poor levels of literacy and English, so that is what we are mostly going to be teaching them for the next three weeks. As it is Christmas Day in Ethiopia tomorrow, and then “boxing day”, we won’t start school until Wednesday., which we are very excited about! J We both feel a lot more comfortable and happy now we have met the class teacher and have been inside the school, and because Bahir Dar is a much more relaxed and peaceful city. We are soon going to Dominic’s house to meet his family, as this is where Jonny and I will be staying for the three weeks here, as Dominic is going to teach in Kenya for the duration. J We hope you like the pictures! J Han and Jonny xxx