Arrived in Addis Ababa!

Arrived in Addis Ababa last night. Visa lineup at the airport with quite an experience...

Steve's friend, Tibebu Beleke , National Director of Hope-International, picked us from the airport. it was quite late when we drove to our Hotel, Wabe Shebelle in the heart of Addis Ababa. The city streets were pretty deserted.

The hotel is ok. I didn’t expect the typical North American hotel standards so I was prepared. I’ve also slept in some pretty dodgy places in my travels. Y’know the saying: “Wherever I roam, where I lay my head is home”. It was pretty rundown, but at the same time, they were doing some renovations. When I first went in and turn on the light, the lightbulb blew up. An auspicious start…

I feel pretty good for not sleeping that much and dealing with jetlag. I’m glad that we stop over in Amsterdam. I won’t have that luxury when I come back.

I feel excited. Ready to see what lies ahead.

Flying Out

4:30pm PST I'll head to the airport. Flights at 7:30pm.

A little tired from last night. My girlfriend and I went out for dinner last night and saw my brother perform (www.vania.ca) at the Wired Monk. It was a good night. Thx, babe.

Today? Excited. Open. Hope my carry-on gets to go on. Remember to pay the last bill. Get some pens. Do... Get... Don't forget about...

2 days to go...

Two days before going on the trip.

Rushing around trying to get things done - things for the trip, things around the house, setting up things after I get back... Sleeping well is a luxury as I'm waking up really early in the morning and can't get back to sleep. Expectations - more from myself than anyone else - nip at my heels.

I'm a little more stressed than I thought I would be. More stressed and more tired. I can tell as my driving gets more aggressive and I get more agitated. My girlfriend kindly "reminds" me of that last night. (It doesn't help that many of the main arteries in Vancouver have reduced to single lane traffic due to 1) Skytrain construction, 2) condo developments and/or 3) sidewalk consturction (gentrification!) - honestly people! who the hell sits down to plan and give permits to these things...)

I realize that I'm losing the plot.

So, this morning I just lay in bed for awhile.

I think of who I am, where I am and all the things I've been given the privilege to do, to experience. I think of where I'm going, the people there and what rights and lives they don't have.

hmmm...

2 days to go.


a cynic is a spurned idealist