Apologies for the lack of posting, but there have been a number of electricity and telecoms outages over the past month, and as my Uncle was visiting, I was also remarkably busy at the weekends. Mid March, I arranged a trip with some other VSO Volunteers and we went to see Wenchi Crater (a volcanic crater with a lake and island in the middle) and ( Read more... )

Just a description of the average day, so cut for your convenience.

( The daily grind... )

So, with the first week in post over, I’ve been taking it easy this weekend, aside from a walk to the Post Office to fetch two more parcels, and hosting some fellow VSOs for supper last night. It was a busy week though, as it included site visits to some of our projects, and a lunch out (since it’s just before the start of the long fasting period ( Read more... )

On Sunday, I walked across an African city (Addis Ababa), listening to a Japanese song (Shima Uta) as covered by an Argentinian singer (Alfredo Casero), which was kind of cool. Oh, and then in the evening I met some other VSOs for Chinese food ( Read more... )

Have arrived safely in Addis Ababa. We were met by Programme Office staff and taken to the Red Cross Centre, where we will be having our in country training for the next week and a half. There are about 25 of us in this group, and we're being well cared for at the Centre. The weather here is a bit like Hawaii, but not as humid - so if it stays ( Read more... )

So, transport to the airport hotel was relatively easy, I checked in early for the flight and had both a restful night and a leisurely breakfast. Got through bag drop with no problems (just making the 23 kg weight limit by 0.5 kg), and cleared security, reaching the departure lounge only to discover that the Urban Retreat spa at Heathrow closed ( Read more... )

OMG, Ethiopia! Ahem. That said, I *think* I'm more or less ready, at least in the essentials (passport, travellers cheques, documentation, good book and change of clothes). I still have too many possessions, and am struggling to do something with them, and Maplins have failed me, so I have no extra laptop battery, but that's all survivable. I ( Read more... )

Anyone know of a good place (online or otherwise) to purchase an external rechargeable battery for a laptop? One of the guys at my VSO training had a great one that he bought via Maplin, but I can't seem to find it in their online store. I suspect I may be calling it the wrong thing - is it a power pack? Power source ( Read more... )

Just under two weeks to departure for Addis, and I've still got quite a bit to do to finish getting ready - return items, post items, pack items, purchase insurance, etc. etc. However, the telethon is over at last, so that gives me a bit more flexibility to get things done, although I am working until the Wednesday before I leave. As regards the ( Read more... )

So, this week has mostly been spent suffering from Martian Death Flu, which is what happens when you're at work 14 hours a day in high stress conditions for a week, and then go to a training weekend with people (with diseases) from all over the country. Note to self: Soldiering on with training through high fever, dizziness and nausea does not ( Read more... )