Day 4: Sunday

Entry 1
We are going to Sodere and Nazareth today, which means an hour-long bus ride out of Addis into the countryside. I'm not really sure what to expect going in, but I'm looking forward to it regardless. It will be exciting to see the difference between the countryside and other cities.

Entry 2
We stopped at a small stall on the way out of Addis where Dr. Abegaz picked up water for the trip and a roasted grain snack called kolo. It is ridiculously good. I think I could probably eat an entire bag and be happy. He also told us we'd be going into the Rift Valley region, so there would be a change in scenery and climate. Looking forward to seeing it!

Entry 3
It's interesting to see how much the ecosystem content changes as we move from the city to the countryside and further east. The flora of the region seems to be more suited to an arid environment, with a lot of cacti and large-leaf plants cropping up everywhere we look. It's also a lot more dusty and windy out here than in the city.

Entry 4
There's horse-drawn transportation near Sodere and Nazareth, and it reminds me of old-fashioned hackney carriages. I'm kind of obsessed and low-key want to ride on one. There's also a lot of sugar cane growing in this region that utilizes water sprinkler systems. I wonder if it comes from the springs at Sodere?

Entry 5
We just passed the only sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide production plant in all of Ethiopia. I guess it makes sense it's out by the hot springs.

Entry 6
The minibus is literally being assaulted on all sides by people trying to sell us things as we enter Sodere. It's how they make their living, I get it, but that doesn't stop it from being somewhat shocking and a little scary. Like someone literally threw some flipflops through the window at our driver trying to get him to buy them. And a few people have tried to open the door. Mason has promised to fight people if it comes to it (we all know it won't, but it was a nice gesture regardless).

Entry 7
There's excess fluoride naturally in the water here, which can damage teeth and bones. It's not from contamination; it's really just natural because of the mineral content of the area. Dr. Abegaz was telling us that storing water in clay pots can help to partially negate these negative effects because the calcium in the clay binds with the fluorine in the water to make calcium fluoride.

Entry 8
Whatever I expected...well, it wasn't this. The "hot springs" are rather cramped tiled baths that they pump the spring water into. I think I've seen enough bare breasts to last me a lifetime today alone (talk about nudity culture shock!), and I decided against getting in...not that I could have found a bathing suit that fit me to begin with. Dominika and Ashley tried, but they were ridiculously expensive and honestly not worth it. We decided to take a break, get drinks, and watch the monkeys instead. I tried Mirinda, which is kind of like orange Fanta. It was good! Not very sugary, so very similar to European drinks.

Entry 9
A monkey just stole a lollipop from a child and climbed up a tree...what is my life?

Entry 10
Mason almost got peed and pooped on by a monkey and I don't think any of us have laughed harder than we did when Jordan yelled at him and he barely avoided it. That...and we definitely ran for the bus because we didn't want it to happen to us either.

Entry 11
We stopped at a resort in Nazareth for a late lunch, and I'm becoming more convinced there is no such thing as a small portion here. I ordered a kid's meal and it was massive. Help me.