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The front of their  apartment where  english/french/bamana lessons (really advanced pictionary where all party's took turn writing words in various languages on Marie's illustrations) took place over many many cups of tea.  In attendance, yours truly, Marie and various Malian men including the buildings security guard.  You go through the open gate into the building and the main door from there.

Paul and Maries Building

View directly across the street – sit in the blue chairs above and this is what you see….soccer pitch and market all in one.

Across the Street

From the roof looking to the right this is the main road leading to their apartment.

Main Road

I was stuck due to a flight delay (cancellation – really a heck of a lot more like it) in Addis Ababa for 18 hrs.  Initially bummed, I was delighted after I got out of the airport.  Temporary visa in hand and herded onto a transfer bus with the other passengers, I was treated to a quick tour of the city.  What a great place – the people are super friendly, the city was organized, cool weather, great food and seemed easy to get around.  Definitely on my short list of places to go back to.  Here are a couple of pictures I snapped during my short stay.

Green Bottles

Yellow and Pink

View

Oh, I should mention, the hotel that Ethiopian Air put us all up in was called the Semien Hotel (yep, how you think they might have pronounced it was pretty darn close)  and so I had to take a picture of the three things that were left in the room (give it your own meaning but I thought it was @#$# hi-larious) soap, condoms and ashtray….wonder who frequented the hotel.  Needless to say, I slept with my clothes on – on top of the bed. 

Also, note the spray painted lamp shade – I thought this was just pour decorating but sadly, it is an aesthetic much prized in other places – namely Mali where it is unfortunately not limited to lamp shades.

Semien Hotel Room

Table Closeup

We went to Singapore for a long relaxing weekend of well, basically eating …. we were not disappointed!  What an amazing place.  Here are a couple of the best shots….and sorry about lying about not posting food pictures next…

Refreshing

The best coconut ever from Thailand….yummy, and the best way to beat Singapore's heat!

Shu Mai

Chili CRAB!!

OH GOD, HOW I LOVE CHILI CRAB!  Must have from Jumbo…

Don't Distract Me Please

Darren, diggin in to the Chili Crab

Content!

Yep, that Chili Crab was tasty!

I Will Have ALL PLEASE

MOCHI !!!! Oh how we love thee!

Spicy Cheese?

Notice the Spicy Cheese Donut….nope, didn't get a chance to try this….maybe next time.

  

Oh Ya BABY!

Ok, I SWEAR the next post will not be about food……

Ran and Hila invited us over for dinner tonight ….on the menu – Beer, Hamburgers and Potatoes.  You know the Irish guy was over the moon.  Hamburgers are a rare treat for us here (no pun intended) so it was a really awesome treat.  We had a lovely dinner and a great time catching up.  Thanks again guys for a fantastic nite!

Here is the hamburgers pre bun.

Ummmm Grilled Burgers

This is quickly turning into a food porn blog but I had to post this!  I was doing my shopping today for the week and GUESS WHAT HAS COME TO BANGALORE?

Oh Yeah!  My favorite ice cream of all – Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry and one of my favorite flavors….so it had to be purchased.

The price is STUPID – INR 650 for a PINT which translates to about $13.54 US but the novelty of eating B&J ice cream here had to be experienced.  Let's just say it won't be a common occurance….

So Bad but Oh So Good

Yummmy – made these homemade this weekend and they were "fan @#$# tastic".  This was the first time I made yeast dough and I was really surprised how easy it was…..will definitely be making these again.

OMG – SO GOOD

After we were finished with them….yes, yes, there were only four left!

Monday Morning Breakfast

Dar noticed that the coconuts were getting big again (the tree outside my office) and sure enough the next day….

Coconut Butt

These cuties are our new neighbors…I question the logic of having these dogs in India – a bit removed from their ideal climate – and they seem to spend most days on the roof….trying to figure out how I can go over and play with them…

Husky Babies

I got home and was greeted by a house full of flowers and this rangoli….so awesome!

Orchids

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