Cyling Through Ethiopia

Amaya and Eric have been cycling their way through Africa for the past couple of years. They've managed to pedal over 44,485 km's, (27,641 miles) and this month they reached Ethiopia. Eric and Amaya crossed into Southern Ethiopia from Kenya across a lonely border (with no immigration facilities) to reach the Omo River Region. Here are some excerpts from their latest update:

The tribal people inhabiting the 30 kilometer stretch of land between Kenya's last military outpost and the Omo river in Ethiopia exist in a world of their own. The local Dasanech people's homes are made of pliable wood fashioned into crude igloo-like dwellings. Women are mostly bare-breasted, men are almost always armed with a rifle or spear and many sport elaborate hair styled with mud and adorned with feathers.

On the riverbank, there was much excitement as all the boatmen vied for the faranji's business. Finally we settled on a price and I was loaded into one of the precarious dugout canoes along with the two bicycles. Eric would follow with our bags in another canoe. 'Keep the balance, madam!' Abdullah advised. Right. What kind of advice was that? The oarsman and I hadn't even left shore and already we were wobbling dangerously from side to side.

We didn't try the qat, but we did take the opportunity to enjoy some delicious Ethiopian coffee. A real pleasure. Macchiato, cappuccino and espresso can be found in even the smallest of towns and are as good as those made in fancy European cafes.

Later we met up with boys who threw stones and cow dung and one who even flung his long herding stick at us. Thankfully he missed and we decided to keep the stick as we found it quite useful for scaring off any mischievous children who might attempt to grab on to us or our bags as we passed.

Read Eric and Amaya's full account of their adventurous ride all the way to Addis Ababa and find out more about the charity they're doing it all for.

Next month Eric and Amaya hope be cycling through Sudan which will no doubt be just as interesting as Ethiopia. Although often difficult to travel through, those travelers that do make it to Sudan always comment on the incredible hospitality of the local people they meet. Check back next month and see how they're making out.

_{Image f a sunset in rural Ethiopia -- © 2006- 2008 Amaya Williams and Eric Schambion.}