You Are Always in My Prayers—Sharing the Blessing of Travel in Ethiopia

Are We Safe?

4/8/2015

Prior to embarking on this adventure, and frequently since we have arrived in Ethiopia, we have been asked if we are safe. Although travelling in Africa involves some risk, we have both a driver and a guide and any chances we take are calculated ones.

Ethiopia borders the Sudans, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti.What is currently happening in Yemen is certainly worrying. Today on BBC a UN representative stated that although we proclaim "never Again" that as a collective we are failing to deliver. There is a presence of weapons in the Simien Mountain area. Our guide indicated that there are blood feuds and conflicts between tribes. However, our armed protecter escorted us on our three hour trek through the Simien mountains in case the Gelada baboons acted up. I am happy to report we saw hundreds of docile grass eating baboons and unimaginable mountain vistas.

You Are always in my Prayers. Love Mom.

4 Comments

Mrs. Hicklings kids

4/8/2015 03:18:56 am

We love checking in with you guy every day and cant' wait till your home for your presentations to our class. Great pictures and we are glad you are safe. Here are our questions today...

1. How was it staying in a hut?

2. Is it cold at night?

3. Was it hard correcting yor sleep schedule because of the time difference?

4. Did you feel scared or threatened by the monkeys?
5. Was the driving any different, crazy traffic? Other side of the road? Dirt roads etc.

Cant wait to check in tomorrow.

The other Mrs. H

Mr. & Mrs. Homewood link

4/8/2015 02:23:37 pm

1. The hut was part of a complex of forty huts and they are really quite comfortable with your own bathroom and solar shower. It is probably our favourite place so far. I have sent Mrs. Hickling a private photo so she can show you we were really, really safe. We are staying in a hut again next week and I will try to get some pictures to send you.

2. When you are in the mountains it is quite cold at night. In the valley in is very hot all day! We don't ever have air conditioning or fans so we have to count on some air blowing through the windows. If there are mosquitoes we have to use our mosquito nets over our beds. We are taking medication every day for malaria.

3. Mr. Homewood is better at adjusting to the time difference. It takes me about three days to feel totally "normal". We find it is best to just push through the days and try to stay awake until it actually is night here!

4. The monkeys were so busy eating grass that they didn't pay that much attention to us. It is harder for the Gelada Baboons to get grass in the mountains so they have to pretty well spend the whole day looking and eating. They are vegetarians but they have really huge teeth. Our daughter didn't like it when they got behind her. We were so close that we probably could have touched one!
5. They drive on the same side of the road as us, but the driving is crazy! I posted a little video of driving in the city on the taxi post so you can see. Mr. Homewood will try to get a country driving video for you. Some roads are really nice and paved but the roads in the mountains were almost like going cross country. Thaddeus and Chandra were in the back and kept hitting their head on the top of the van. Our guide calls the rough roads an African Massage. The biggest problem driving is all the animals and people on the roads!

I heard there was a freezing rain warning in Listowel. Keep,safe. Great questions. Mr. & Mrs. H

Berendina

4/8/2015 01:13:50 pm

Your pictures and info are so much fun and interesting. Loving your answers to the class! Hey, those baboons do not look too inviting to me!!! Glad that you had some protection there!
Love and Prayers

Diane link

4/8/2015 02:27:09 pm

The protector/scout was a great guy. Even though neither of us spoke the other's language he was totally able to communicate with us and even joke around. With all these Homewoods in Africa a sense of humour is required. Love D

Are We Safe?

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