Ethiopia Snapshot 1:
Field trip to the South. On our way back to Addis we stop by a lake to see flamingos. A huge flock of real live flamingos! 4 feet tall, awkward and scruffy. They have only a tiny spot of pink at the nape of their bird-necks. When they take off, they look ridiculous for the first 100 metres because their legs dangle down like forgotten landing gear. But then everything goes into place and they are beautiful.

Clumps of people are gathered on the shore waiting for the fishermen to come in with Nile Perch. Kids play makeshift tetherball with a tin can tied to a string attached to a stick. There are a couple of buildings, no cars, and the fishermen are moving around on boats powered by poles. A herd of cows graze next to a sign proclaiming "Alaba Industrial Zone"

4:28 p.m. - 2009-08-03