Jordan and Debbie, the IT vols, temporarily fixed up the cluster unit PC this morning, which will make my life a bit easier. I just need to get another voltage surge protector from the college store as the current one didn’t stop of a voltage surge of over 350V from frying the cluster unit PC!

I had planned to visit Abera, a science teacher, at Ediget Feleg School today, but because Meleshew wasn’t around yesterday we had to make some last minute arrangements this morning. Last minute arrangements are always a bad idea, even though most people seem to work in “last minute arranging” mode. Meleshew had to go back to the local authority offices so I got a lift in a college vehicle and managed to arrive ten minutes late. On meeting the school Director he told me that Abera had finished for the day and gone home. What would have seriously pissed me off a year ago just made me shrug and smile today. Shortly after leaving the school to trudge back into town I bumped into Abera. He had been off to get some exam papers photocopied as he had no lessons this afternoon, even though he had arranged a lesson observation this morning with Meleshew. Ah well. I’ll see him next week and I’m looking forward to it. During the training I did for Science teachers he struck me as being particularly sharp and has good English.

Walking back to the centre of Gondar was quite interesting despite the baking heat. The school is in a predominantly Muslim part of town near the big market. I haven’t wandered in this part of town before and I was struck by the bustling feel. The kids were curious in a relatively quiet way and I was enjoying the walk until somebody threw a large stone at me, which just missed my head and clattered across the ground. It isn’t easy being white.

On the walk to the college I stopped at the post office and collected a parcel from mum, containing several packets of drinking chocolate, chocolate bars and some magazines (thankyou mum!). Thank God for treats.

Gill returns from Addis Ababa tomorrow. It’s been an interesting experience being here myself for a few days. Overall I’ve enjoyed it and been much more aware of lonely and anxious moments. Regardless of whether you are on your own or as a couple, you have to be quite self contained to do this. Most of the time I feel strong, emotionally well-equipped and happy living the VSO volunteer life, but there are times when I feel lonely, vulnerable and emotionally shaky. The seemingly small things take on a huge importance. Our radio is one of the key coping tools. Sometimes it’s the sound of other peoples voices that matter and sometimes its music. Most of the time the BBC World Service makes me feel that there is a big wide world out there that I can keep some connection to.

Another essential requirement to do VSO is to love lentils. Potato & lentil soup, in many different varieties, is staple food. I do though still miss beans on toast.