We hit the road early again this time to stop in Demeka. We came this way so I know my way around. It is still lucky I have Fitretu with me cos I would have missed this little gem of a hotel without him. It has a communal squatter and it is disgusting, like all of them. They would have to be the worst invention ever.
I got sent with a local guide name Getch to see a Hamer village. Well what passed as a village today was 2 women under a tree doing their hair. It was interesting for 10 min. Boonie is getting her hair done with butter and clay cos she is going to another village for a visit. She is first wife so she gets to wear 3 rings around her neck. She has 3 brothers so she has a lot of scars on her back that she got for them. Gardi is the second wife so she only gets to wear 2 rings around her neck. She has no brothers so so scars. Both women never bathe or thane off their goat skin and neither knows her age.
It was interesting for 15min then I was over it. Tours ah? They promise the world and deliver very little. I have come to expect very little and they don't disappoint.
I spent the arvo trying to drink honey wine. It was a yellow milky liquid as always an acquired taste. The only upside was the hot Hamer woman in the bar that took a shine to me. I am pretty sure she offered me a range of services .... really at aprice of course.
This morning Fitretu had a talk about the non events at the villages and a few other things and I think we got it sorted. To be fare it is when he gives me to a local guide that the problem is.
Then we jumped the bus back to Termi. There is a big market about 20km up the road from here up in the hills. We were going to catch a bus but the rain has made the road impassable for them. That should tell you something. Outback style dirt roads, in the mountains, in Ethiopia in the rain and no busses? What are a couple of likely lads to do? Hire a motorbike! We can't go to fast so if anything happens we shouldn't get seriously hurt. It was tough going, at one point I had to walk up the hill and Fitretu had 4 young boys pushing him on the bike. We finally made it to find the market almost non existent cos it was raining still. We had a quick look around then headed back before the road was completely washed out. On the plus side we only came off once. My shoes will never see the light of day again, I will have to buy some new ones. What a great adventure.