Our first stop was to Awash National Park. This is a really pretty area with a lake and lots of exotic birds. We also had time for some game viewing! We saw a lot of Oryx (an animal kind of like an antelope). We also saw a pretty waterfall.
When we were maybe halfway through our drive, and in the middle of nowhere, we saw a lone Gelada babboon! Gelada babboons are endemic to Ethiopia. Our guide said it was very strange that we saw one because they are normally not found in that area and they are always in groups.
The scenery on the way to Harar was absolutely breathtaking. I was so tired, but I could only sleep for 30 min because I kept staring out my window.
Harar is a really great city! The people were very friendly, as well as proud to be from Harar. We saw lots of colorful markets, women carrying very heavy loads on their heads (I later practiced this and failed miserably), and the hyena man.
The Hyena man feeds the hyenas just outside of the gates every night. Sometimes he even feeds them by mouth. I had the option of feeding them...and I took it, although I used a stick rather than my mouth...I didn't think my travel insurance would be willing to cover any medical expenses that may cause.While in Ethiopia, I had a list of foods that I wanted to try. When we stopped for lunch on Saturday, I noticed that kitfo, an Ethiopian dish, was on the menu. I had been told to order it yebesellum (cooked), because most Ethiopians eat their meat raw. My guide ordered for me and specifically told the server that this meal was for a foreigner so it really needed to be cooked.
This is what it looked like. We asked if it was cooked and the server claimed it was. When I showed this picture to AHOPE's social worker later that week, he laughed so hard and showed the other staff member this picture. It was definitely raw. I can't believe I didn't get sick.Here are some more pics!
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