Day 3 – Addis to Waldia – Ryan

The bus journey: We had a long bus journey today from Addis to Waldia – over 600 km away! Well, we were expecting a kind of boring long-winded day, but it was actually far from it! An early start for us getting away around 7am provided more subtle and relaxed views of a slightly quieter Addis, where we got to view the sights in more detail without the hustle and bustle of our first afternoon in the city, shop owners opening their shops and a vast number of commuters cramming themselves onto busses. Although many people were tired, spirits were high! We were soon out of Addis and into the countryside and the road full of goats, sheep, cattle and hundreds of people walking. The driver put the radio on and soon a range of popular chart hits had many members of the bus in full voice.

However what kept most people interested were the unique and varied views the entire coach was treated to. From vast scrub land wedged between imposing mountain passes to remote farming villages the group was left in awe at some of the best views any one of us had witnessed! Many pictures were taken so don’t worry you will all be treated to a virtual tour across Ethiopia when we return to blighty. Upon stopping on a number of toilet breaks we were chased by farmers and witnessed our first Ethiopian toilet (aka a hole in the ground), a culture shock for many of us!

When we arrived in Waldiah at around 7.30pm many of the group were on their last legs and happy to sleep just about anywhere with a roof, although Mr Griffiths pulled it out of the bag with a very comfortable and welcoming hotel for our band of weary travellers. An exciting day was topped off with a lovely meal enjoyed by all members of the group many of whom had lived off biscuits, mangos and oranges we had bought on our shopping trip the day before.