MADNESS ON FARANDZHI Matthew Kuriger and Birgit Blekloz, United Kingdom A trip from the Sudanese border to the city Gadaref Gallabata was fascinating. Our minibus was falling apart. Twice we had to push him to start the engine, and sliding door had come off. Instead of driving on paved roads, we decided to "cut" a path through some villages. It was very interesting to see how the Sudanese live in rural areas, to see their markets, stalls, which sell tea and clothing, and children in school under the open sky. As we thought in the Sudan have all been very friendly to us. Cold beer Once we got to Gallabata, we were approached by the conductor, whom we, by the way, do not hire, and helped us with the formalities associated with the border-crosser. More on the Sudanese side of the four times we had to go through customs procedures, each time a new earthen hovels, all of which, however, were on the main street. In the first house, as in the second, we just had to write their names, then we present a passport, and we put a note on the departure from Sudan, and in the last house to check our luggage and were released to the world. They took me into another hut, where I was able to change the Sudanese pounds to the Ethiopian birr. Everything was a bit suspicious, and I worried that I might be robbed, but nothing has happened, and nobody I even paid no attention. Then we went to the Ethiopian immigration department, which was placed in a clay hut, surrounded by barbed wire. There was already less bureaucracy, we just put a stamp in the passport, although it took quite a long time - before you put a stamp, the officer was searching for our names in a book. I do not know whether this book with the names of those who are denied entry into Ethiopia or not. Then Customs checked our luggage, and we passed through the border. Gonder We immediately surrounded by a crowd shill, but we still managed to find a minibus that was to take us wherever we need it, without any problems, although the authors of the guidebook were right when they called it "madness on farandzhi" (" foreigner "in the vernacular, approx. Perevi.) or" madness at the sight of tourists. " They just shouted "you you you you" to our attention, asked for money and asked where we should go. Here me an empty container on the sugar water, Ethiopia - a very beautiful country. City of Gondar became our first stop on the so-called historic ring. To our surprise, the road was paved along its entire length, although the most recent edition of the guidebook warned otherwise. Through this pleasant surprise, the trip took us half the time than planned. Landscapes have become much greener Sudanese, but due to the fact that we began to climb the mountains, temperatures, thank goodness, has dropped to 20 degrees. A couple of times we stopped by the police. Everyone had to leave, police searched us and checked our minivan. Freshly squeezed mango juice after hot, dusty Sudan, we stopped in a normal hotel. Went to the shower, dressed, drank cold beer and feel as though are in heaven. Coffee here is very strong and is very cheap - only 20 pence - is also full of fresh juice in just 50 pence. We Ethiopians have a few strange features of behavior. Relationship to time one of them. At dawn on here 12 hours (6 am in our opinion), the sun shines for an hour, so now 1 hour and so on. The sun sets in 12 hours (6 pm on our way). In time to catch the bus, we always had extra to find out by what time will the administration - to the Ethiopian or farandzhi. What is also different from the familiar to us. Ethiopian calendar for seven and a half years behind the Gregorian era. On our receipt of the laundry was a date - Sept. 14, 2002! We gave our clothes to the laundry. There is also not without its amusing incidents. In laundry, we were told that they would not wash our underwear because it might not be safe! Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she was a laundry room between the two bars, in which zahazhivali prostitutes! Prostitution is a phenomenon quite common and does not carry with them an additional negative sense, to which we are accustomed to at home. No one seems very worried. Our little traveling companion to get sim card for mobile phones was not so simple. First of all, we had to go to the center of long-distance communication, where we searched. Since cameras were not allowed inside, so we had to split up. In the evening, near the center of armed police appeared. They arrived in a truck and began casually to throw each other arms, as if it were not automatons, and sacks of potatoes. It took us two passport photos, copies of passports and visas. Had to wait in the hall with hundreds of other people, then I interviewed, asked to fill out a form and a declaration signed by I agree with the fact that mobile phones are dangerous! Read more:
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