Off to Addis

Saturday 17th May

Woke up early and had loads of time to prepare for my flight. Rang Meleshew and got her to check out the transport to the airport. Mekdes made me coffee and fussed around me whilst I tried to pack. Remembered to give her the parcel ticket to collect – addressed to Mekdes!

Transport arrived, stopped at the college to pick up Ato Mengitsu who wasn’t around. Pointed out that there was a deadline here! The driver ran and dragged Ato M back. Picked up Meleshew. Wanted to go home immediately and change. Meleshew had obviously made great use of her impromptu day off – well coiffured hair, manicure, make up, neat black suit with white shirt and struggling slightly with walking in 3 inch heels on a brand new pair of white strappy sandals.

She was excited. Insisted on buying coffee at the airport. I warned her it wouldn’t be cheap but she thought it might be about 4 birr – turned out to be 9.5 birr.

At Addis, we were met by a small look-alike that turned out to be Meleshew’s daughter and her cousin.

We shunned the taxis and walked out of the airport to the nearest taxi rank where I was put on a taxi for Haya Hulet which cost less than 1 birr. Topped up my mobile and met Allan at the Pride Bar.