Van Ride Views

We have taken many van rides in Ethiopia to get to each of the different orphanages. Throughout our journeys, we have seen a lot of what daily life is like on the streets. The traffic here is crazy as well. There are very few stop lights, lines on the road are ignored, and it's common to be in a traffic jam of 6-8 cars trying to go different directions! We almost hit someone on their motorbike who crossed lanes in front of us - thank God he had no major injuries and got up with a smile. Here are some of the things we see as we drive: 

Meat stores look like this. There is a grinder sitting on the counter if needed, and the carcasses just hang until bought. 

Here is an ambulance. 

We have seen a few of these horse drawn "carriages" 

Children are adorable and wave at us all the time!! 

Goats, rams, and sheep are herded through the streets and frequently stop traffic.

Homes like this one are seen on about every street we turn on. It's hard to even imagine that someone lives there, sleep there, and calls this home. 

Donkeys walk the streets as they carry building materials, wood, food, and just about anything for their owner. 

Large, open areas are turned into futbol fields - some have goals made of sticks, some do not.

The use for eucalyptus tree logs is immeasurable - for building, scaffolding, cooking, as a incence, fuel for a fire, futbol goals, fences, and so much more. We have see many businesses selling the logs. 

Vehicles with flowers on the front symbolize a wedding. We saw a lot of these wedding parties drive through town on Saturday and Sunday. The bride and groom are usually in the front car with the party behind is other vehicles. Sometime the wedding party sit on the outside of the car and they honk all the way through town. 

Cobblestone roads are very popular throughout the city.

There was a huge line of people along a sidewalk. When we finally turned, I saw that they were in line for the theater!! 

Vegetables, fruit, and other produce are frequently transportd in wheelbarrows.