Sunday Morning...
on Paul Stanley (Ethiopia), 22/May/2011 08:24, 34 days ago
It's Sunday morning, and I'm sitting in the very swish 5 star "Haile"resort in Awassa, enjoying a macchiato and the free wi-fi. Joanne isoff playing Tennis, and I'm thinking this volunteer lark isn't thatbad really...The Haile is probably the second best hotel in all of Ethiopia- it isowned by local hero and marathon runner Haile Gebreselassie, and inthe lobby upstairs from where I am sitting are his two world records-I believe the quickest is 2 hours and 4 minutes. Ulp. Joanne had thepleasure of meeting the man himself last week when she was playingtennis, and he seems to be a thoroughly nice chap.The view from the lobby here is just stunning- Lake Awassa is laid outbefore you in an almost 360 degree vista. You can see the regal FishEagles sitting in the trees waiting to swoop down on the lake, and thelittle Pied Kingfishers darting in and out of the water. Blue lizardsscuttle among the rocks occasionally stopping to bask in the sunlight.Only real downside to the Haile is the cost- definitely an occasionaltreat for a volunteer. A macchiato costs 15 birr- at the college Ionly pay 2!Saying that, as a treat it is well worth the cost. Joanne's placementis coming to an end in three weeks, and we have booked a weekend herefor a last luxurious look at the way the other half lives...Have a look here for an idea... http://www.haileresort.com/Your man in Awassa,Paul