I would like an Ethiopian Tukul
Traditional Ethiopian Tukul, Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa
While we were in Ethiopia in December we saw many traditional tukuls in the rural areas of the country. A tukul is a traditional style of hut used extensively throughout the country.
We had a close up look at several in the grounds of the school where our daughter was teaching last year. We both agreed that we would like one in our garden here in South Australia, so I took a number of photos to show how they are constructed. It seems easy enough so I might put my hands to good use later this year and make one.
Traditional Ethiopian Tukul,
Traditional Ethiopian Tukul,
Traditional Ethiopian Tukul,
Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
During the latter half of 2011 my daughter taught at Bingham Academy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Bingham is an international Christian school with staff and students drawn from around the globe. There are local children attending as well and it is located in one of the poorer areas of the city.
In December last year my wife and I visited our daughter for two weeks up until the time her term finished. We stayed with her in her apartment on the campus, so we experienced school life up close. We both found the experience uplifting and inspiring and were made to feel very welcome by the staff.
I was not surprised that her short stay has inspired our daughter to return to the school in a few years’ time. In fact, both my wife and I are very experienced teachers and are wondering whether we also have a role to play in the future. We will see. Meanwhile I’ll share a few photos taken on the campus.
To read more about the school click here.
For the observant readers, the trees in the small forest near the oval are Australian eucalypts – we felt quite at home. There are also large tracts of eucalypt forests surrounding Addis Ababa, but more of that in another post coming soon.
Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bingham Academy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I’m back from travelling
Street scene, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I’ve been travelling, so I’ve been rather quiet here on this site over the last 7 weeks. The posts which did appear were prepared before I left.
Over the last 7 weeks my wife, daughter and I have had a wonderful journey through Ethiopia, Morocco and Spain. We had a wonderful time and I will be sharing my experiences and many photos here over the coming weeks and months.
Ethiopia has a great deal to offer the tourist but it seems that this country never features much in most travellers’ thinking as a desirable destination. Sure, poverty and homelessness is in your face wherever you go, especially in the capital Addis Ababa, but then I’ve seen that even in our cities here in Australia. Ethiopia has much to offer the tourist.
The reason we went to Ethiopia was to spend time with our daughter who was finishing up her term in an international school in Addis Ababa. We spent 2 weeks with her, living on the campus where she taught. It was great to see where she had been working and to not only meet her colleagues, but to meet some of the local people and students. While we were there we also took the opportunity to do some touring around, employing local drivers.
The photos on this post are first shots taken while driving from the airport to the school. They show typical street scenes that could have been taken in any large city in Africa. I was warned by our daughter not to take photos of the many soldiers and police present in one part of the city. Former US President George Bush was in the city for a major conference, explaining the strong security presence.
In the photo below you can see a high truck load of mattresses, tied down with a couple of thin ropes. We were all amazed how the mattresses managed to stay on the truck while negotiating corners. Had they toppled though, I’m sure there would have been a soft landing.
Street scene, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Construction site, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Exotic Destinations: The View from Morocco
Yesterday I wrote about my wife’s dream of travelling by train from Marrakech to Casablanca in Morocco. I thought I’d do a little virtual exploring of this wonderfully exotic destination.
The View from Morocco is a blog that takes an eclectic look at life in Morocco, a look at all its fascinating mysteries and beauties from shopping though to trekking in the mountains. It includes wonderful photos, hints for the traveller, places to go and see and even recommended restaurants to visit. Goodness – it even includes such diverse things as cycling in Morocco through to genuine Moroccan recipes!
Someday I hope we get there.
UPDATE: in December 2011 our dream came true. Check the archives for articles and photos about our trip.
Links:
- Travels in Thailand – from my journal written during my trip to Thailand.
- Travels in Nepal – from my journal written during my trek in the Everest region, visits to Chitwan National Park and impressions of Kathmandu.
- My Marrakech – a blog about lifestyle and design in Marrakech, Morocco, including beautiful photography.
Exotic Destinations: Marrakesh, Morocco
On my only trip overseas I visited both Thailand and Nepal. Both were wonderful in their own ways and they were culturally overwhelming places for a first time visitor. I thoroughly enjoyed my first, and hopefully not last, foray into other countries and cultures.
My wife and I often dream of visiting some very exotic places. We love watching the several travel programmes currently shown on local television. Armchair travelling is by far the cheapest form, followed closely by vicarious adventures via books and magazines (but not expensive if borrowed from the local library).
This is where the internet can be so useful. One can instantly travel to so many exotic and wonderful destinations with no cost, no danger and no inconvenience. Mind you, it isn’t quite the same as being there, but still very enjoyable.
One blog I recently found was a wonderful site called My Marrakech. It’s about lifestyle and design in Marrakech and has some beautiful photographs to complement the writing. Well worth a visit.
Morocco is one country my wife would love to visit. Her dream is to travel by train from Marrakech to Casablanca. Sounds wonderful. Perhaps one day we will make it. I’ll just have to keep on writing so I can take her on the journey of her dreams. UPDATE: This dream came true in December 2011. I’ve written extensively of our experiences and shown many photos of our time there on this site. Check the archives.
Links:
- Travels in Thailand – from my journal written during my trip.
- Travels in Nepal – from my journal written during my trek in the Everest region, visits to Chitwan National Park and impressions of Kathmandu.
- My Marrakech – a blog about lifestyle and design in Marrakech, Morocco, including beautiful photography.