On Day 10 we drove out to Woliso and the area that M^ is from. However, we first had to make it out of Addis Ababa. The capital city sprawls between seven mountains and is growing by the day. We had to drive from the Southeast side of the city to the Southwest side in order to take the correct road. We were so thankful to have a new friend, Joseph, driving. He is the spouse of the pastor that serves the church next door to the clinic. This is also the church that has so graciously allowed us the use of their twelve-passenger van. We are so thankful!
We rode through the city streets seeing so many new things along the way. The efforts to plant more trees and shrubs have transformed portions of Addis. Under the overpasses are tiny lush gardens. Wooden fences surround grassy areas with saplings reaching to the sky above. In these little bits of oasis were also makeshift homes. Blue and white tarps were stretched out across wooden poles. The length was just enough to cover a person lying down and just high enough to allow them to sit bent over. The unraveling edges flutter as cars speed by.
As we got closer to the Southwest side of the city we passed one of the major hospitals in Addis Ababa. The red building stood in stark contrast to the ones around it. People were bustling in and out. I couldn't help but think about those inside. For a larger hospital, what were the struggles it had to provide medical care for the surrounding area? What kind of illness and disease did they treat in this hospital? Are people of all income levels able to receive care here? And then my mind would wander to Dr. Hiwot's vision. What would it look like for the Fares Medium Clinic to one day become Fares Hospital? I wonder.
As we reached the edge of the sprawling city the exhaust from the constantly moving traffic let up. As we entered the countryside the smog cleared. Opening the windows of the van, I could feel the crisp cool air blowing across my face. The landscape of the countryside stood in abrupt contrast to that of the city. Farmland filled the foreground. Mountains rose up in the distance. Clouds of the rainy season swelled with the promise of afternoon showers.
We drove through rural Ethiopia for about two hours. Homes dotted the landscape. Some were round with thatched roofs. Some were rectangular and topped with corrugated metal. Piles of hay stood in the yards. Little children played and laughed. Women washed and hung up their family's clothing. Girls helped care for their younger siblings. Boys tended flocks of goats and sheep. Men worked in the fields behind an ox and plow. Some waved as we drove past. Many starred with curiosity at the sight of foreigners.
We drove through several very small towns before coming to Woliso, which is really just a slightly bigger town. Tiny shops lined the streets. Women sat with their offerings of coffee, roasted corn, and sambosa. Piles of dirt wait on the side of the road. Communities come together to create and fix the roads day by day. Dogs curl up in little nooks for an afternoon nap. Tailors have their black Singer sewing machines waiting for clothes to mend and hem.
We first stopped by the Negash Resort where we were staying in Woliso. Then, it was another 20 minutes up to Chitu, the village that M^ is from. On the way, we stopped by a house selling sambosa. The residents were frying them on their front porch. The best we've ever had!
Of all the stories we tell about our travel, it is important to us that certain portions are left for our daughters to choose when, how, and who they want to share their personal stories with. We visited M^s village, family, and friends. The stories from this portion of our trip are hers to tell if she chooses to.
Back at the Negash Resort that evening we explored the area. The grounds were beautiful. Lush foliage, blooming flowers, and mischievous monkeys. The creek ran through the area and provided the relaxing background sound of gently running water. We taught the kids to play pool while the rain dripped from the thatching.
The Negash is a beautiful place to stay. There is a back porch behind the restaurant to sit and watch the wildlife. The restaurant has a wide variety of both Ethiopian and American food. Everyone there is kind, helpful, and eager to make you comfortable.
Each room had a television and some sketchy reception. While some of the others played cards, T, M*, Kevin, and I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics. It was a somewhat surreal experience... sitting in rural Ethiopia watching the Olympics in Tokyo.
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