Ethiopia - Sudan delivery

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Sun 9 Nov
Didn’t set the alarm. Luxury.

Mon 10 Nov
In the morning I took a taxi to the Sudanese embassy, waited an hour for the visa section to open, then handed in my paperwork and US$61. I was told to come back on Thursday afternoon. I explained that I would be flying then and would probably need my passport. The officer agreed I could try Wednesday afternoon. "You have got a letter from the British Embassy here haven’t you?" First I’d heard of it. I was sent away and told not to waste their time (well, it was Ramadan).

Took the same taxi to the British Embassy. On the way it began to cough and splutter and then wouldn’t start at all. I ended up getting a lift from a kind passer-by. The Embassy were familiar with the process, if I could pay the standard fee they would do it there and then. US$61 (coincidently the same as the Sudanese visa fee) just to write a letter saying they had no objections to me going to Sudan. By the time I had parted with the precious letter in my hands the taxi had caught up with me, so we went back to the Sudanese Embassy, handed in the paperwork and reminded them that Wednesday afternoon would be good.

In the afternoon I met with an old friend, Solomon. He was to be our guide for the next few week’s trekking. We went to the map office and bought some detailed maps covering our route. I then walked back via the Sheraton (new since my previous visits to Addis). I found it all a bit too unreal for me, but the paintings by Ethiopian artist Lulseged Retta quite appealed.

Happy 70th to Mum & Dad from Addis. Tue 11 Nov
Spent most of the day working on the website. Went back to the map authority for a sheet we’d overlooked. Phoned my mother who was celebrating her 70th birthday at an inn on Dartmoor (UK), quite emotional.

Wed 12 Nov
After a morning working on the website, I got a minibus up to Mexico Square (funny name for a roundabout) and walked along to the Sudanese embassy. Remarkably my passport with visa was ready and waiting. This was brilliant news. It meant I could go to Sudan, which by now I was really keen to do, and it meant I was in with a very good chance of meeting all my original objectives.

In the evening I went out to the airport and had supper with Solomon and his wife Mebrat (she works there as a customs officer) before collecting Mark and Michelle, my walking companions for the next few weeks.

Thu 13 Nov - Wed 3 Dec
The Napier Trek
See Napier Trek

Sun 30 Nov
The Great Ethiopian Run
and the Great Ethiopian Run


Ethiopia - Sudan delivery

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