Last Sunday in Addis

It was my second last in Ethiopia, but next weekend I will be in Ambo with Dr. Paul and a few others ...

As expected Sunday was an action-packed day. It started with a boring breakfast at TDS then a quick stroll down to Bole 19 tennis for another coffee. Melaku mentioned Saturday that he was playing doubles at 9AM but he did not show. I sat around enjoying the sun for about an hour then headed back to the hotel. Yared and I spoke and we made plans to meet at Arat Kilo at 11AM. I visited with Binyam in the TDS cafe for a few minutes then prepared for the walk to the meeting spot.

It is about a 45 minute walk and lots of stuff to see. The first stretch is boring, then Kesanches all the way to the palace is a hustle bustle of shops. I sat on the stairs at the post office and waited for Yared who showed up about 10 minutes later. We walked back towards the palace and hung a right at the first intersection. We entered a restaurant after passing the familiar carcasses that hang in a butcher's shop. Yared ordered and a plateful of raw beef arrived. There were three kinds ... some was laced with fat, some had a thick layer of fat on one end, and the last was fat-free. There was lovely sauces with the fare, especially a very runny horseradish-like one. Some of the meat was chewy but after the mouth's juices attacked it for a while, it was easy to break up and swallow. We chowed down for about an hour then I grabbed a 60-birr cab ride back to TDS.

The trip to Metasabya's commenced about 1:45, grabbing a cab and getting the driver to speak to her to get directions. She did not live near the airport as was suspected, but rather west and a bit south of the airport just off the road to Debrezeit. She met us at the road and walked to her house which took about 10 minutes. We were greeted by a sister and a few brothers, Mother, and some of the help. Matthias was there whom I had met at the little party I threw at Blue Drops before leaving Addis in December. There were two other brothers and it was remarkable how the sons and daughters all resembled the Mother. We sat in the living room and the refreshment-wave descended on the dwelling. There were a few kinds of beverages, including my favoured cold Ambo, as well as a juice that turned out to be made with honey and bananas.

The injera appeared with a deep-maroon sauce and a separate pot with beef and peppers. I ate a bit but was not really hungry. We chatted and visited as much as we could and had a lovely time chatting with the family. Another brother appeared with two friends, and they ended up at the table munchung on the injera and stuff I had devoured. The television was on with ETV the whole time we were there. The proramming it shows seems to mesmerize habesha as it is on lodu wherever I seem to go. Jirka (Dad) showed up as he got home from work and poured some Ouzo as well as arak, distilled from the fermented sap of toddy palms or from fermented molasses. Both were very alcoholic. In a way I was afraid to finish a glass as another one would be poured immediately. The hospitality was second to none and the family was very warm and welcoming.

About 5 it was time to depart. One of the brothers disappeared to get a taxi, but returned empty-handed exclaiming none were to be found. We walked to the street and started heading towards the pedestrian overpass when a cab appeared. Metasabye flagged it down and the trip back to TDS began. I went to Blue Drops about 6:45 and waited for the beginning of the Roddick-Berdych match for the Miami tennis title.

That started just after 8PM and did not disappoint. By mid-way through the first set Berdych seemed in control. Roddick won the first set 7-5 and then he really took over and won in straight sets. Tuchou and Goldie left Blue Drops about 9 and I sat in the closed establishment and finished watching the match myself. I left the guard a 10 birr tip and headed across the street at the end of the telecast.