Sunday Morning...

It's Sunday morning, and I'm sitting in the very swish 5 star "Haile"
resort in Awassa, enjoying a macchiato and the free wi-fi. Joanne is
off playing Tennis, and I'm thinking this volunteer lark isn't that
bad really...

The Haile is probably the second best hotel in all of Ethiopia- it is
owned by local hero and marathon runner Haile Gebreselassie, and in
the lobby upstairs from where I am sitting are his two world records-
I believe the quickest is 2 hours and 4 minutes. Ulp. Joanne had the
pleasure of meeting the man himself last week when she was playing
tennis, and he seems to be a thoroughly nice chap.

The view from the lobby here is just stunning- Lake Awassa is laid out
before you in an almost 360 degree vista. You can see the regal Fish
Eagles sitting in the trees waiting to swoop down on the lake, and the
little Pied Kingfishers darting in and out of the water. Blue lizards
scuttle among the rocks occasionally stopping to bask in the sunlight.

Only real downside to the Haile is the cost- definitely an occasional
treat for a volunteer. A macchiato costs 15 birr- at the college I
only pay 2!

Saying that, as a treat it is well worth the cost. Joanne's placement
is coming to an end in three weeks, and we have booked a weekend here
for a last luxurious look at the way the other half lives...

Have a look here for an idea... http://www.haileresort.com/

Your man in Awassa,

Paul