abyssinia

we have been almost 3 weeks now in ethiopia, and i still haven't decided how i feel about it. on the one hand, it's some of the most amazing landscape i have ever seen. endless mountains and valleys in the ethiopian highlands blanketed in lush greenery, all types of grasses, trees, cacti, and the occasional splash of colourful flowers. the clothing, too, is all colours and patterns. ethiopia is strongly its own personality. it's perplexing to see how ethiopia is a country known for famine when the land is some of the most fertile, and sees such regular and abundant rainfall (13 months of sun is a lie i tell you). foreign aid might have exaggerated the need, and people now certainly expect any foreigner coming through to give them money and whatever they desire. it has been mostly managable, though at our last crag in waseya, kids were trying to remove climbing anchors (while we were climbing!) and throwing rocks at our heads...and in woldiya, our tough south african driver henry had his shoes stolen as he was mobbed getting into the cab...so sometimes things get a bit out of hand. the middle east was so safe and relaxed that ethiopia has been a bit of a shock in that respect, in terms of safety and crime. it's not bad (it's not, say, nairobi...yet to come), but it is a noticeable difference.

anyhow, all is well for the most part. i've ditched the lariam so everyone wish me luck in not contracting malaria. our group just doubled as a new group of climbers arrived (with new books and music, thank goodness!), so we'll be setting off soon to kenya and uganda. next on the climbing list, single pitch stuff on cat and mouse in kenya, then baringo in uganda for some trad climbing and deep water soloing, should be good!