Delilah arrived on Wednesday evening for a 2 day visit to the African Union. She also visited the EU delegation for talks and met the new AU delegation head. All went very well and the future of this direct work with AU looks bright, but it can be very tiring after a long flight to start immediately into meetings and the like. Luckily she had Saturday free to rest and see Addis properly before flying back overnight. We went up to Entoto first which is the hill overlooking Addis at about 3000 m. There are two old octagonal churches on the summit and a panoramic view north over the highland farming area. Entoto has a eucalyptus forest whose wood is used for firewood and building. On the way up we passed 10 or more firewood women who carry huge loads of wood on their backs for about 2 miles down the hill. They get paid about 30 birr ( just over 2 euro ) for a large load, which must take them several hours of back breaking work. When asked where the men were Kaleab joked they were most likely inside drinking coffee. These women lead a very tough life, but there is now an association selling crafts to look after them when they are too old to carry anymore.
