Archived Blog
Western weekend in Addis!
This week I finished up marking my all my work, phew, and made it through parent teacher interviews in one piece. Most of the kids whose parents showed up were doing fine and I simply had to repeat “Yes, yes, your kid is fine; knows how to use a computer, blah blah blah” 16 times or so. No problem.
On Saturday, Brian and I went back to our favourite chill out spot in Addis; the Ghion hotel. I made sure to change before I left; Aaron wasn’t so fortunate and made his way over to the changing room to change. Obviously the Ethiopians are used to it, as while he was still changing, a number of female Ethiopians came over and started changing next to him.
Saturday evening, some of us went for a western evening out. We went out to one of the arcades in the Bole area of the city because some of the other teachers had located a Dance Dance Revolution (Dance Arcade machine) here. Brian was anxious to check it out, so we headed over. It isn’t quite the same as at home, instead of having up, down, left and right arrows; this one has 4 diagonals and a centre step. All the music was crazy Japanese stuff too. I think that all just added to the fun. Brian and I played against Steph M and Cary; needless to say the guys won.
After all this excitement, we left to check out one of the new cinemas that has opened in Addis. It is not like the previous cinema, it plays movies from the west that are out now. They aren’t copies, and the cinema has great sound, great seats and everything. It feels for all the world like you’ve been teleported back home. The whole building is very modern, with a snacks bar to get popcorn and drinks. We saw a film called “Vantage Point” which is really great by the way, go see it!
I’ve found myself as the head coach of the senior boys’ soccer team. There was another man who had volunteered, but he wasn’t able to come on the days when we have practise so it’s up to me. I’m really hoping to get far; if we make it to the final, it’s in Addis’s soccer stadium which would be well cool! We played a friendly match against the Junior Varsity team who have finished their season. The forwards have no problems scoring; however, I think we need a lot of work at the back. I’ll keep you posted.
I’m continuing to enjoy living off compound and the experience of travelling into work on the taxis, with their patent pending intake system that re-routes the exhaust back into the car. My parents and sister arrive this Saturday morning which I am really looking forward to, I’m sure they’ll all enjoy it. Please pray that they will have a safe journey and enjoyable time here; I guarantee it won’t be relaxing!!!
Bye from Addis,
Niall
0 comments