Waiting game...

Okay, starting to get a bit bored waiting for my permits to come through. It's not like I can't occupy myself. I've been out to schools to visit, to team teach, to chat to people. I've been practising my language skills (Tigrinya and Japanese. Sorry bahasa indonesia) meeting people for coffee, sharing some computer skills, but it would be nice to be able to go and get started.

I was talking to Siobhan today (pronounced shivonne) who is my partner in crime in Barentu (or will be if I ever get there) who is taking my classes until I get there. I've only got three classes of about 70-80 kids each, but as I haven't been there, they have basically been sitting there doing nothing until I arrive. No replacement teachers here if someone's away, they just sit and wait for the next lesson. So, they need a teacher quickly, and i'd really like to get down there to start meeting people and sorting out what kind of project can be set up for next semester.

There is one fancy hotel in Asmara- the Asmara Palace. I have been contemplating to go there for a swim becuase you can pay to use the pool for the day. However, it costs 300nakfa ($30AU) which is about a quater of my monthly pay packet. But, seeing as we have run out of water today at Dave's house (where we are staying until we can go to our placements) and the only water we get will be used for drinking, I think I may just spash out and enjoy it.

So Steve, I guess it's a bit different here from where you are. I don't think i'd be calling China a third world country by the way it's been described so far. Remember, everything i've seen has been in the biggest city where things are generally abundant also. I haven't really had to put up with the absence of internet and dodgy phone communications, or the lack of electricty etc so far either.

What differences have you picked up so far?