Lake Tana

Birds are abundant in the islands

Notice the monastery in the midst of the island

Life is hard aboard a papyrus boat

The attractions of Lake Tana are mainly the 14^th century monasteries found in each of the more than 30 islands.     I went to the ones easier to reach and

where women are allowed entry.  The monasteries are really isolated and some are built on mountaintops that more adventurous tourists find them challenging to explore.  Pictures speak a thousand words.

It's a gong of heavy rock that sounds like a bell

Back in the dry lands, I got several offers from shoeshine boys to polish my boots.  

The sentry (in yellow) 

Well, at the start they would quote 10 Birr around USD 50 cents, but as they proceed, they will now double the price because they say that my boots take too much of their Kiwi.  Oh, well.

Brushing my teeth with the bush in my polished boots

A Filipina VSO volunteer in Ethiopia

Uziel in action

I was mighty proud of her as I watched her teach 3 visually impaired students in a borrowed classroom at the  Addis Ababa University.  I was moved by the sight of 3 blind young men trying to get an education despite their disability.

Interaction

 Uziel was very patient with them and I could see that she was enjoying what she was doing.  She has a computer and was playing listening movies such as “The Beautiful Mind”.  She would play the audio and ask her students to paraphrase what they heard.  The exercise is to develop keen

Safely delivered to the ground

 listening skills.  The audio had to be replayed several times because the accent of the speakers are difficult to follow.  For example, mysteries was heard as mistress and we  had fun explaining to them what a mistress is. 

Gates of the Addis Ababa University

Billboard at the Uni campus

I also did my bit by telling the 3 students that I liked the harmony of the colors of the shirts that they were wearing and I described to them the colors.  When the class was over, Uziel had to guide all three of them to descend the stairs and out of the school building. 

Church of the Holy Trinity

Uziel is a volunteer whose placement is in Adwa (near Axum) in northern Ethiopia.  During the term break, she volunteered to teach special needs students in the capital city.

Church of St. George

When I visited Axum, I learned that many people (hotel guests, shop owners, Ethiopian airlines staff) know her.  Well, I was not  surprised because she calls herself Miss Friendship.   Ethiopian airlines staff remember her as their most important frequent flyer.

The Ethnological Museum, former palace of Haile Selassie

Just like the other Filipino volunteers in Uganda whom I visited in their accommodations, Uziel loves to cook.  She even made a cappuccino (minus the western appliances)  which was very addicting.  She boils fresh milk, puts some sugar and a little coffee

Bedroom of the Lion of Juda

 and stirs the mixture.  She pours the made coffee in a cup, adds the mixture and sprinkles the froth with chocolate.   Voila, you have the best cappuccino in Addis.

Dr. Gerry, Uziel and Eve

 While staying with Uziel,  I also met another Filipino VSO volunteer, Dr. Gerry, who works at the Yekatit Hospital.   I attended a Sunday mass at the Holy Saviour Church with Doc Gerry and I saw how popular he was with the Filipino churchgoers and the staff of eateries that he frequents.

Yekatit Hospital

I have not doubted my impression that the Filipino VSO volunteers I have met in Africa not only share their skills but also bring laughter and sunshine to the people around them.   May their tribe increase.

Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Ethiopia.  The Patriarch lives there.