Back to the Present

I want to share more of my trip to reacquaint myself with the world of Gambela. I’m doing this in a blog because it lets me go on a bit and put up lots of photos. I’ll add some other facets on Facebook, too.

My Hotel

I chose to stay at the best hotel Gambela had to offer. It was a good choice because it allowed me to marshal my physical resources for thinking, planning interviews, taking notes, learning languages.

I was told that my cottage had the only air conditioner in a hotel in the town at the time. However, the management was at pains to caution me that I should only run it at night, since it was old and must be treated gently, gently.  Understand that the temperature, in Gambella at the end of the dry season, was at least 110, and the room had no real cross-ventilation.

As much of the day as I could, (except about 12-3 pm; I’m not actually nuts!) I was out walking around looking at things and talking to people.

It had an indoor bathroom–a luxury, believe me.