part 2- Blue Nile Falls

After a quick lunch we went to the blue Nile falls. The ride is very interesting with lots of people in the street walking. People walk everywhere. Donkeys carrying big loads. people carrying big loads on their heads and backs. carts being pulled by carts. very old world. Our guide Fish told us about all the things the U.S. is doing for Ethiopia. The government and the church charities and the regular charities. By far the USA is doing a lot and he was very grateful to our country. He also told us that Americans are a happy people and that is some thing they like no matter how bad things are you can still smile. That was the thing that has gotten to me is how friendly and how happy they are. The US is helping them build some power plants that will be up and running soon so there are no longer the blackouts for extended time. Education is huge here everyone wants to be a Doctor. Fish told us that the US is no longer giving money to the government that is trying to teach the people through education. He and his fellow guides like to take Americans on tours because we are impressed with there country. His least favorite are the french and the Israelis, he says they are hard to make happy. When we got to the Blue Nile Falls we hiked for a little while and through a very small village where people tried to sell us stuff. they were well spoken little girls about 4 to 6 years old and very nice but it got a little overwhelming a few times. they had this speach memorized that they each picked one of us to give it to so it was hard to say no if we didnt want it. the guides helped us out quite a bit in this regard. We went over a old bridge built over 400 years ago. the falls were impressive although they were flowing at just 10 to 15% the rainy season is almost here which is when they become big. Also they are building power plants that are taking 60% of the water until they are done with them. it was still pretty neat. On our way back we stopped by the village and max played kick ball with the kids from the village. there was one kid running around with a long sleeved sweatshirt and no pants. thats how they potty train the kids, just let them run around nude. max has been fun and is making friends here. We bought a few things from the kids and headed back to the hotel. fish said that it is better to give the older kids money 12 year old than the young kids as they will spend it wisely on their family and not to teach the younger kids not to value education. pretty neat insight