Kunzula

Back in the Land of Internet so the back blipping begins...

On this day we boarded the ferry "Tananesh" which carries cargo across Lake Tana. A few passengers as well, and sometimes a couple of foreigners ("ferengi") who are made welcome by the captain and crew and are the object of much curiosity for other passengers and people at the ports.

The ferry travels from Bahir Dar in the south, chugging along using one engine at a time to arrive at Gorgora on the northern shore of the lake in the afternoon of the second day. Overnight we stay at Kunzula, a tiny village, where our 'hotel' is a room at the back of a grocery store/bar. Outside our room are cows and chickens and a communal hole in the ground toilet with no door. The electricity goes off soon after dark but there is a full moon for navigation at night.

Before dark, we go for a walk through the village, and as is usual in rural Ethiopia, we are greeted by lots of children, all shouting "you, you, you!" And "my name is". They ask to have their photo taken and squeal with delight when they see the result. Then they all want to hold our hands as we continue our walk.

The main thing that struck me about this village was how, from dawn to dusk everyone is working, carrying water, herding goats and cows, making papyrus canoes, fishing, pounding meal to make injera, cooking injera...

Another day on the boat tomorrow..