Monday - Last Day in Addis

Today I need to seal off my last day in Addis with my usual Melbourne
breakfast, toast coffee and the paper.
I bus to Arat Kilo for paper, then to Piazza for coffee and croissant. Add
to this the worlds most unique ham and cheese sandwich, rawish meat in a
bun with coleslaw. Makes my stomach turn to look at but on the eating,
goes down quite well - my queasiness gets the better of me half way
through.
Walk to Sheraton via Post Office - take another look at some souvenirs. Do
some pretty A-grade bargaining. Need to not want the item. If you walk
away they always come running. Bus towards Mexico - kind of lost. then
Walk to Sheraton. Internet painfully slow - not useable but bank success.
Walk out across the road and straight through the sprawling Arat Kilo
slum. Get a little freaked out by guy who loudly whispers, "be careful!"
as I enter. I walk briskly, not my usual meander while looking around. All
okay. Feels amazing to be in the middle of this huge chaotic mess. No
roads enter here for hundreds of meters. A little disoriented on leaving.
Walk back to Post Office to continue shopping. Decide to return after trip
north, so forget about any more bargains.
Meet cool taxi driver dude. Old, young man or young old man cant tell.
Driving a taxi in the best condition i've seen so far. Gives me many
useful tips to Addis. I get his card but he's not even available right now
- waiting for someone.
I catch other taxi who takes me on wild goose chase through Arat Kilo, I
have to go back to Sheraton to pick up swanky pastries as I realise we
should take gift to Japi's family for the dinner tonight. Cherry pie, half
a kilo of assorted cookies and a custard danish for me to eat now.. mmmmm!
Pick up same taxi again and somehow we have to pick up his other regular
customer, a 15 year old French kid going same area as me, Kbanah.
I make a huge mess going through all my stuff and what's left of the
kitchen stuff, so that I can pack properly!
We leave for Japi's. She lives in a middle-class area near Bolé. A
collection of little buildings jammed into a small compound. Dogs locked
up who only come out at night.
We sit to traditional faire; St George beer, whiskey, coffee ceremony
after and small child entertainment - time to leave.
Home to finish packing then watch a little of Syrianaesque movie, (what's
it called?) with other resident volunteer - Brit / Kiwi Claire.
Bed at 11:30.