Sylvia's Journal

This was probably my most boring 4th of July. I missed being in Manchester, watching the parade and having the wonderful 4th of July plein air lunch at the Makowskis. Instead I spent the day in my hotel room, watching TV whenever the electricity was on, and when it was not, the clouds, the rain and the few people outside through my window. I played solitaire and read Dawkins’ irritated tirade about the God Delusion.

I emptied my mailbox down to the last 3 emails and since everyone is busy celebrating the 4th, no new emails came in. I packed my two suitcases and a small travel bag to take to Bahir Dar – the suitcases stay behind in the hotel – while I watched the Matrix, a movie I would never think of renting or watching in the US. Here I can simply mute it when it gets too exciting. I needed Axel or Tessa by my side to explain what was happening.

Dinner with Pierre-Marie in Don Vito’s was probably the most exciting event of the day. We know the menu by heart. It has not changed in years. We ordered the same thing: mushroom ravioli, salad, a glass of wine and a macchiato served by the same girls with orange blouses. They must be working at least 14 hour days since they also serve us for breakfast in the morning.

And now it is some ungodly hour on the 5th of July which is still the 4th in the US. It is pitchblack outside except for the nightclub decoration and cars coming and going. The musci is thumping along insanely loud downstairs, probably at its peak (it is 4 AM). We are off to the airport with all the other people heading to the graduation ceremonies in Bahir Dar. I hope we are early enough to secure our reserved seats.