Monday 22nd - Back to Ahope again

This morning we were woken at 3.30am by a spectacular thunder storm. These are very common over here during the rainy season and even more so at night when the lightening lights up the room like a strobe light.

The rain during the night meant that it dawned dry, which made our trek down the road easier. The main problem today was that there were very few taxi-buses as it was a religious holiday for the orthodox church. Any bus that did come along was mobbed and we soon learnt to abandon our British way of queuing politely and to just push ourselves forward and pile on! These small mini-buses can seat 12 but it’s not uncommon to find 14 people squashed in. There are also the small taxis which are motorbikes with a small cart like thing at the back...great fun, especially when they do a fast U-turn in the road!!

When we arrived at Little Ahope we got stuck in with playing with the kids. They were pleased to see us and we were soon part of a game of rugby/netball (with no set rules) and frisbee throwing. One of the American girls who is also out here did a bible story with the children and also some songs. She had brought some prizes with her for those children who could answer questions about the story correctly. They had a choice of chocolate or a toy. It was interesting that they all chose the toy. We realised that the chocolate would be gone in seconds and that the toy would last for longer and become a prized possession, as they have so little that they can call their own.

In the afternoon we were meant to meet a group of the older children from Big Ahope at the guest house to do a sewing project. When we got there, the man on the gate knew nothing of these arrangements! It was rather frustrating (especially as they had typed out a schedule) but we have come to realise that in Africa, plans change and you have to learn to go with the flow. The phrase “chigga yellum” is very common. It means “no worries!” We are so used to making set plans and sticking to the plan and we always try to be on time. In Ethiopia it is not uncommon for something to start 2 hours late, and no-one seems to get annoyed. It is all part of the culture out here. We are learning to take each day as it comes and are having to practice a lot of “grace.”Hopefully tomorrow things will work out a little better. If not it will be “chigga yellum” again!