July 22, 2009
This morning I woke up early and went outside for a walk around the hotel. It wasn’t anything exciting but I liked walking around and doing some things for myself. I bought some more phone credit since I used all of mine yesterday being homesick and calling people. I then grabbed a tiny cup of coffee and relaxed at the café downstairs. After this, I went back to the hotel and waited for Berhanu and Tame to get ready to go. We went to the fistula hospital but missed our turn and ended up getting there about 20 minutes late. I joined up with a group of Americans on a mission that was taking a tour of the hospital. Although the tour provided information on things that I knew (such as how fistulas occur), overall it was excellent. I saw the “Oprah Winfrey building” which was clearly labeled as well as the operating theater, the recuperation room, the classrooms and the PT/rehad room. The guide quoted a 97% success rate for fistula repair (which is shockingly good) and also discussed the fate of the women who are repaired as well as untreatable. The hospital teaches literacy, numeracy and craftsmanship so that these women have skills with which to support themselves. We also saw the maternity ward where former patients come at about 6 months of pregnancy for checkups and are referred to a local hospital for elective cesarean section when it is time to deliver. Of course, I bought a bunch of their crafts as well as a book by Dr. Catherine Hamlin (one of the co-founders of the hospital). The fistula hospital is a pretty incredible example of public health, community development and women’s empowerment. Catherine Hamlin deserves the Nobel Prize.
After the trip to the fistula hospital, we were off to lunch (after a quick trip to try to track down Ben’s grandfather- no success!) We went to a Dutch/American restaurant (I am sure in an attempt to make me feel at home) and I had lasagna of all things! Haha whatever it was delicious. Once we got back, we found the elevators out so I had to huff and puff up the seven flights of stairs. Addis is at crazy elevation so even the simplest of tasks can make you winded! I feel like a fat old lady!
After a quick rest, we headed out to the National Museum, where I saw a replica of Lucy (apparently the real thing is in New York City- go figure) as well as some Ethiopian cultural artifacts and some crowns/thrones/robes of Haile Selassie and some other emperors. Overall, the things in the museum were pretty cool and quite diverse in nature. The only disappointment is that I don’t know if the artifacts and paintings are being maintained as well as something would be if it were in the Smithsonian or some other American museum. Weather is nice- it is the winter so it is a bit rainy but otherwise pleasantly chilly. Merkato market was moved tomorrow so that I could adequately prepare and wear jeans and a money belt instead of a silly dress and a purse. Time for a nap and then off to the gym to sweat and huff. Miss and love you all.
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