The more it rains, tiddly pom!
It's raining so hard in Addis it feels like the house is going to cave in....I hope the summer rains haven't set in a month early! I'm going back to the UK next week for some sunshine...maybe.
Things I read
News
Current books
Carlos Ruiz Zafon: The Shadow of the Wind
The discovery of a forgotten book leads to a hunt for an elusive author who may or may not still be alive...This book was a real page-turner. I couldn't put it down.
Amitav Ghosh: The Hungry Tide
The Hungry Tide is a rich, exotic saga set in Calcutta and in the vast archipelago of islands in the Bay of Bengal. Beautifully written and believable, well-rounded characters.
Michela Wrong: In the Footsteps of Mr Kurtz
Wonderfully written and an interesting portayal of the Congo and its extraordinary dictator Mobutu. The sheer level of corruption that took place under Mobutu means that in some ways this book reads as fiction rather than fact.- Jane Fletcher Geniesse: Passionate Nomad
A fascinating book about the life of Freya Stark. I really didn't know very much about her - what an amazing woman. - Khaled Hosseini: The Kite Runner
This is an extraordinary novel about moral courage and cowardice, human flaws and forgiveness set against the backdrop of Afghanistan. It gives a fantastic insight into Afghani culture and about how societies cope when they are uprooted and have to start again. - Ian Rankin: Fleshmarket Close
You can't beat Rankin or Rebus for memories of Edinburgh. 
William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream
We're in it....
Ryszard Kapuscinski: The Emperor
Personal insights into Haile Selassie's reign from all the people closest to him...from his pillow-bearers to his spies.
I enjoy reading your entries. Is there a relationship between the arraival of the Obelisk and Democracy? I am not being serious I just want you comment.
Posted by: Amare N | Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 04:01 AM
... "Tut, tut! Looks like rain!"
I've been lurking here and at Meskel Square for a week. I'm very impressed by what you and Andrew have been up to. At this very moment I'm in Edit F with Chris and Steven T. Your trip to Somalia makes my pack on NHS Argyll & Clyde look a bit pathetic. Give us a call if you get back to the UK.
All the very best to you both.
Posted by: Davie | Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 12:27 PM
I enjoyed seeing your photos of Axum.
I wonder why you left Addis just before such a major happening though? The elections on May 15th that is. You could have made incredibly valuable pictures and movies of a society going through a major event. An event it had never witnessed in its 3000 years history!
Sometimes you Westerners focus to much on the misery and not on the advances of Africa.
Am I wrong here?
Kinfe
Posted by: Kinfe | Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 03:47 PM
I was in Addis to cover the elections and for a few days after polling day. I was broadcasting all day for the BBC World Service.
Posted by: Amber | Saturday, June 04, 2005 at 02:38 PM
Thanks for your response. I follow the
events via Internet since I am abroad.
I am now saddened by how the events are unfolding. The crackdwon on peoples right to express their opinions without repression. This is the very reason why the elections were held in the first place!
BTW do you have an online album of election day photos? If yes let me know where I can access it. An expo of your Ethiopian Election 2005 photos would be nice.
Kinfe
Posted by: Kinfe | Tuesday, June 07, 2005 at 03:03 AM
Kinfe,
you are a little imposing... i suggest you go back to Ethiopia and take some pictures for yourself. Thanks
Tyrel
Posted by: tyrel | Wednesday, June 08, 2005 at 09:36 AM