The “P” Party

Well, we’ve been on the road for over a month now and have crossed the ¼ mark of the trip. It seemed like a good time to have a party and spend a few hours thinking about anything but cycling, well that’s not true, we did talk about cycling, and our injuries, and our ailments, and the days ahead but we relaxed, we drank, we danced, we laughed, and some of us drank some more.

So what’s a “P” Party? All those attending our party in the bar at the hotel that we’re camping athad to come dressed as something that begins with the letter “P”. And man we had some creative ones. A pirate, two Polynesian beauties played by the lovely duo, nurse Elaine and Rachel, head of communications. There was Patrick, in fact there were three Patricks – one real Patrick and two copy cats. There was a Pierre being played by Lucette who mimicked his slow steady crouched over stride to perfection. At my age you just have to accept these things” said Pierre with a big smile. There was Douglas as a passport photo with a piece a white paper propped up behind his head, a patient, a pharaoh, a punk – played by our trusted Tour Leader Jack, and a proudly patriotic Canadian.

We had a rest day today which was a chance for some to relax or to recover a bit from both riding, nasty bugs and the night of drinking. Others took the opportunity to explore Bahir Dar with its market full of shoes of all shapes and sizes, beautiful blankets and scarfs. Walking down the narrow passage ways you had to dodge children, animals and people trying on shoes. All with the rough dirt floor under your feet and the intense Ethiopian sun hitting your head. Some took a boat trip to the Monestaries that dot the islands of Lake Tana or to see the Blue Nile Falls. Bahir Dar is lively and friendly, inviting and fancinating.

On the road again tomorrow and we look ahead to the legendary Blue Nile Gorge with high hopes that the bug has run its course so we can concentrate on cycling and Africa.