My digestive system has been malfunctioning for the last two weeks: intermittent diarrhea. Time for another stool test, probably to be followed by a course of antibiotics.

This training for science teachers I’ve been battling to develop for the last few weeks just might actually happen. One of the college science teachers I’ve been trying to work with finally came up with the goods today. After he missed several meetings in a row he arrived for a meeting, on time, this morning with a plan he had produced. If all goes well, I think we have a good training day on our hands.

After a slow week we now have two new VSOs for moral support in the college. Norma has been busy trying to get her house sorted out and Jordan, a 21 year old from Canada, has started his 3 month IT support placement. On Friday night we all went out for beers, with Gemma, Steve, Joseph (German doctor) and Matt and Avi, two gap year Brits teaching English for two months at Azezo High School. I’m very impressed by Avi and Matt. At 19 years old and from rural Hertfordshire they have a confidence and social ease I totally lacked at that age.

On Saturday I had a great afternoon and evening chewing Chat with Joseph, Avi, Matt, Jordan and three Ethiopians, Milliom, Tadesse and Bogard. My second Chat session was better than the first: chewing a bag of green leaves seems to get easier with practice. The conversation flowed from shop talk to movies to politics and finally on to religion and the concept of forgiveness. Very stimulating and thought provoking, but then this is a place to think about meaningful things without the clutter of everyday UK life to distract you.

Sunday was rest and escape day: a whole day at home without leaving our compound. I spent the day reading and browsing the internet for useful info on science education and science & society issues. The evening saw indulgence in three episodes of The West Wing on DVD. After Gill made a remark about probably missing our frying pan when we eventually return home, I think we need a break soon!