Ethiopia with Zoma and Juna Wallace

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

Below is a short story written by Juna Wallace of her and her sister's (Zoma Wallace) trip to Ethiopia.  Enjoy!

My travels with my sister were in the interest of planning for and organizing a presentation given on behalf of the Zoma Contemporary Arts Center of Ethiopia, hosted by its foundress Mrs. Meskerem Assegued, a symposium entitled "Where Do We Go From Here?". The idea was a brilliant one: Assegued summoned a hand-picked team of contemporary visual artists, architects, art historians and curators from all over the world to discuss the ways in which art is currently used worldwide and can be implemented to make and inspire bold social commentary on particularly significant and charged issues with a focus on the environment, the manner in which it has been/is being destroyed, and what can be done to encourage sustainability in order to "reverse the curse". The www.zcac.net website is a great resource for getting a broader idea of the ongoing mission and the various publications that are in production as a result of this symposium we attended and took part in.

Upon our arrival in Addis Ababa, we almost immediately boarded a regional flight to Dire Dawa, a slightly smaller, 'sleepier' city with its own rich history, having been a resort/vacation attraction town and thriving metropolis in its heyday. It is a comfortable, comparably quiet and peaceful place to spend time in and explore from the backseat of a tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled, open-air motor scooter cab, extraordinarily easy to hail and wonderfully inexpensive way to travel, say from a filling traditional dinner at a nearby restaurant to one's hotel. But the climate in Ethiopia is so agreeable, one may often find themselves more interested in taking to the streets on foot; in the day, the temperature reaches between 75 and 82 degrees F - no more and no less - with it dropping down to anywhere between 40 and 50 degrees at night. However, this is the landlocked horn of Africa, and while not stifling with humidity, it is very dry, so carrying several bottles of water during day trips is a must. And because water, fresh spring water in particular, is at such a premium, it is very common for people and young children to 'pan handle' for your bottled water, so it is recommended that you carry at least one extra bottle; when they do ask, give and give generously (more often than not, they will be sharing it with several other people and family members.

Once in Dire Dawa, we embarked on two separate day excursions to the rural village of Harla, the site for ZCAC's most recent development in sustainable ancestral architecture, an artist compound, museum, and community center to be used at intervals for artist's long-stay internships but left as a timeless and vital resource for the townspeople. Nestled between mountain ranges, Harla is a terraced farming village made up of families of goat herders, bead makers and artisans, farmers and construction workers who create and sun-bake the traditional mud bricks. The people there are incredibly kind, giving and curious, with children often wishing to practice the English they've learned in the town's only school.

After just a few days in Dire Dawa, the entire group traveled by chartered vans to Harar for a home-stay experience and brainstorming retreat in what is termed a 'typical' Harare home. Its walls adorned with baskets and dishes of brilliant colors and specific origins and meanings; each level and area of the open common room is a sleeping nook, each nook is reserved for a different member of the family hierarchy from the grandparents/in-laws to the sons and daughters and occasional visitors. Harar and the in-laid province town of Jogol are magnificent to say the least; vibrant marketplaces, a great deal less crowded and aggressive as compared to those in the capitol of Addis, and home to some of the most amazing and best-kept-secret museums I think Ethiopia has to offer, particularly the former palace of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I, a breathtaking, picturesque location in and of itself but also home to the Harare Cultural Museum, teeming with art and artifacts and the nearby Arthur Rimbaud House, the French artist's former home now kept as a museum and community center. It is also here in Harar where visitors can take part in an exciting, albeit unusual pastime, the feeding of the hyenas.

In Jogol, there is an elderly man who has served as 'guardian' of the hyenas for nearly his entire life. Having taken up this post from his father before him, he goes to the same place each night as the sun is setting, just outside of the gates of his small village. Taking with him a great basket of raw meat cuttings, he and all who watch and wait are soon joined by a throng of wild hyenas, at times as few as 5 and as many as 40. It is very important to say these hyenas are not in any way domesticated and do not belong to this family/community, but they have a sort of 'understanding between them. Seated in the dust, he feeds them from his own hand when they approach and any who wish to experience it can do so as well..but with a special feeding stick provided; with these very wild predatory animals unaccustomed to strangers, it is best to keep a bit of distance between their mouths and one's hands no matter how relaxed and tame they appear to be with the guardian.

I should mention that if traveling to different areas of Ethiopia, travelers should be mindful of the three predominant ethnic groups present in the country, the Amharas, the Oromos and the Tigres. The language of Amharic, for example, is spoken nearly everywhere in the country and especially in Addis Ababa, however in Harar the traditional and pervasive language is Oromia, farther south Tigrinye is spoken, so carrying several phrasebooks and/or one book with several translations is a great idea.

We were not long in Harar and after just two days, we were back in Addis Ababa for our last week of our trip. Unlike our small town experiences, Addis is a rather enormous, thriving, sometimes claustrophobic place (but in the best ways possible)! Again, there are countless museums and historic landmarks to explore. Much like my hometown of Washington, D.C., aptly placed statues are the focal points of the numerous roundabouts (traffic circles) honoring different political leaders and heroes of the brutal takeover attempts on the part of Europeans, most notably/memorably Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Marketplaces, especially at the foot of the Entoto Mountain and the Merkato, a former Italian-occupation neighborhood, are unmatched in their offerings - textiles and clothing, exquisite jewelry of pure gold and silver, books, hand-carved statues, fresh-picked fruits; they are simply incredible places to 'get lost' in..and practice bargaining in Amharic!
Addis is the place where one can enjoy a true nightlife experience, going out for dinner and dancing - eskiste (pronounced skis-STAH) or shoulder dancing is some of the best fun to be had, whether just watching the professionals in their mastery of it or jumping up and trying it for yourself. Usually there are performers at nearly every restaurant, dancing or singing, so live entertainment over dinner is commonplace. Dinners - most meals, for that matter - are shared in the traditional family-style one experiences at an Ethiopian restaurant in the States. Mounds of injera bread are served alongside a large round platter filled with various dishes of vegetable stews, yellow and red lentils, chicken, and lamb. The unmistakable draw and enjoyment of the food is not only in the incredible, complex, and rich flavors, it is absolutely in the freshness and quality of the product (my sister and I happily noticed within our first few days that our clothes were looser and certainly NOT for lack of eating!). Fruits, vegetables, and meats are all organic as opposed to in our country where often the origins are suspect; even a glass of orange juice at breakfast time in every restaurant is fresh-squeezed upon ordering, each fruit taken from a basket that has just been harvested that day..and it tastes that way with every sip! One of my favorites was a concoction called sprice juice, a layered smoothie of juiced oranges, mangoes, strawberries, papayas and avocados. And a cultural event within itself, the taking in of a coffee ceremony, is an experience not to be missed. Coffee is its own religion in Ethiopia with the utmost care being paid in every step of the process. It is not to be hurried or downed quickly once poured but quite literally, a sort of dance, with the roasting of beans, billowing of coal fires beneath the pot, or bunna, and calming enjoyment of the final product. The preparers take great pride in the process and presentation, so unlike the snatch-and-grab experience at the coffee pot at work, this is a time to relax, socialize, and tip well!

I have done my best to squeeze two weeks of travel into a summary that I hope is not too long or overwhelming, but I had to make sure my descriptions did justice to my life-changing experience. I say without restraint that Ethiopia is one of my favorite places on this earth and I cannot wait to go back; there is a time of year called the Meskel Season wherein the many mountain ranges are positively luminescent with the brilliant yellow color of the Meskel flower that blooms at the beginning of the rainy season. As an avid hiker, I anxiously await an opportunity to go back and take to those brightly-colored hills and relive some of these wonderful experiences.
 
Juna Wallace, presented to The Traveling Eye.
 
Juna and Zoma, On behalf of The Traveling Eye and our audience, hank you for sharing your personal story with us.  I t was truly a pleasure having you on our show and seeing Ethiopia through your eyes.
 
Sincerely,
Ja'Vonne Harley
Co-Host, The traveling Eye
Owner, Advantage International, LLC

The End of Prohibition Event in Chicago

I had a blast at the End of Prohibition event last night.  The event was at the Red Canary.  I love their patio.  There was something going on every where.  Free massages, mani/pedi's, hair, period dresses & hats and Gambling.  Not with real money but it was fun all the same and the only way I would gamble.  For the first time I played craps.  I always saw it in the movies and it looked like such fun and it is.  There's a comradiere.  Last night was my lucky night.  I had just told my husband that numerology says that my lucky number is 5, I bet 5 and it hit through the night.  I then said let's switch it up and play August (8) my birth month and wouldn't you know it, they started rolling 8's.  5's & 8"s were rolled all night long.


That's me in the hat!



My Family Getaway to Las Vegas!

Hi Everyone!

I just got back from a family getaway! My cousins and I decided that we wanted to plan a quick getaway to spend some time together.   A few of my relatives have small children so we had to pick a destination where several generations would be able to enjoy themselves.  We ranged from ages12 and under, to 16-20, to 21-29, to 38-45, all the way to 50 – 80.  Where could we go that wouldn’t cost a lot of money, excite everyone, and do it all in 4 days/3 nights.

Las Vegas!!!!  

We called up Ja’Vonne at Advantage International and she put together a great package for us.  Of the hotels she offered us, we decided on Circus Circus because it catered to children and families.  I have been to Vegas many times and had never stayed at this hotel but I have had friends who raved about it.  I must say that it is a very busy hotel.

As the group leader I went into Vegas a couple of days early to make sure everything was set up and ready for the group.  The check in process was crazy.  The line wrapped around the rope twice. It moved at a decent pace but I definitely needed my patience cap on.  Once I made it to the registration desk things went smoothly.  I want to stop here to commend the front desk and sales staff at Circus Circus.  When traveling with a group that is checking in at different times, it can be a nightmare if things aren’t set up properly.  My group was arriving at times from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM throughout the day. A small mix up had everyone checking as a group at 3 PM.  I went to the front desk and spoke with a wonderful woman named Cynthia “CJ”.  I explained the situation I was having with my cousin who had just arrived at 8: 30 AM and was told she couldn’t check in until the group Check In at 3PM.  CJ calmly went and placed a call to the Sales Representative on duty, who was equally nice and understanding. We worked it out, everyone stayed calm and jovial and all was taken care of.  The Bell and Valet staff and the ladies and gentlemen in the Buffet were also helpful and very nice and greeted us with smiles. They really made us feel welcomed.

Circus Circus gave us an awesome coupon booklet when we checked in that had great values on food, rides, shows and shopping. The food and atmosphere in The Steak House was good. And we did see several brides with their grooms walking through the hotel.

Circus Circus does have one major problem and that is their housekeeping staff. Example:

I checked into my room and my sink was slow in draining, I needed more towels and pillows.  I make it a habit to tip my housekeeper every day to make sure the person who is actually cleaning my room receives the tip. I left a tip and a note of what I needed and when I came back to the room the tip was gone, a towel was lying on the floor by the toilet and one was lying inside the bathtub.  That was my first call down to speak with the housekeeping supervisor. Several of my family members had inexcusable problems that were directly due to the housekeeping staff.

Circus Circus is an old property and is in need of some serious renovating.  In 1968, before it was a casino and resort, it was a permanent big top circus. It is the first hotel on the Strip to actively seek family trade. There are even free circus acts under the tent above the main casino.  However, now the casino floor is dark and dingy and there isn’t a nice bar or lounge in the casino area to sit and talk or listen to good music.

In order to get to the pool from the West Tower, inside of the hotel, you must go to the Skyrise Tower, take an elevator up to the third floor, walk through a hallway on a floor with sleeping rooms, go through two doors, and take another elevator down to the pool. It is only open from 9 AM to 7 PM.  However, once we got there we had a great time having fun in the sun.

 The Adventurdome Theme Park is a fully enclosed, climate controlled amusement park that is covered by a huge pink dome. It covers five acres and has rides and games for every age in the family. Our kids had a great time and enjoying their freedom to play and ride the rides.

The just over 21's loved being able to play the slots and learn the table games "cause they are grown".  Those of us who are a little older got a big kick out watching the family bond, laugh and tell old stories.

 We discovered the Las Vegas Citizens Area Transit System (the local bus). $7 will get you a 24 hour day pass to ride the bus up and down the strip and downtown. What a bargain!

We even ran in to Brad Garrett from the TV show "Everyone Loves Raymond" at the House of Blues Gospel Brunch at the Mandalay Bay!  That's my niece Lisa in the picture with him. He really is tall.

My family had a great time getting together in Las Vegas and are looking forward to our next getaway. And even though Circus Circus may not be a resort that I would stay in again,  it may be a good fit for families who are looking for an economical, fun filled stay in Las Vegas.

Until next time, keep your Eye to the sky!

Bonnie DeShong

Cape Town

It's been about 5 years since I've been to Cape Town and boy, have things changed.  The last time I was here was a few years before World Cup.  Cape Town is as beautiful now as it was then but now has many more hotels, new restaurants and night spots.  some of the old favorites are here like Marcos, a restaurant with South African cuisine and live South African music.  But now there's African Gold Museum and Restaurant.  The museum is small and displays some beautiful African gold pieces from around the continent.  You get a guided tour of the museum, then a drumming session followed by dinner (South African cuisine from a preset menu) and finally live entertainment.  Not a band but singers, drummers and dancers.  I'm still exploring and checking out some of the new hotels and restaurants so keep following me for the scoop.

Ja'Vonne Harley
Co-Host, The Traveling eye

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Serena Williams recently suffered an embolism. It was brought on by several things; inactivity, surgery and a long flight. Her ankle swelled to an abnormal size, she ignored it and thought she could just ice it down when she got home but when her flight landed she was having difficulty walking and breathing. Fortunately, she spoke to big sis Venus who was with their trainer and was urged to go to the hospital. She did not heed this warning but the trainer later showed up at her home and insisted she go to the hospital. It was then she discovered she had an embolism and could have died it she had not gotten treatment.


Embolism's can be caused by Deep Vein Thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in a calf or thigh muscle. DVT can partly or completely block blood flow, causing chronic pain and swelling. It may damage valves in blood vessels, making it difficult for you to get around. A blood clot can also break free and travel through your blood to major organs, such as your lungs or heart. There, it can cause damage and even death within hours.
Here is where travel comes in. DVT can develop while on a long flight because of immobility and the other factors. If you're on a long flight make sure you move during the flight. Take a walk up and down the aisle every 2 - 3 hours. While seated do some leg exercises like leg raises, make circles with your feet at the ankle and point and flex your feet. If you've recently had surgery consult with your doctor on your flight to see if it is safe for you to travel and to get advise on what to do for proper blood circulation.

Symptoms:

Half of all DVT cases cause no symptoms. If you do have any of the DVT symptoms below -- especially if they occur suddenly -- call your doctor right away:

•Swelling in one or both legs

•Pain or tenderness in one or both legs, which may occur only while standing or walking

•Warmth in the skin of the affected leg

•Red or discolored skin in the affected leg

•Visible surface veins

•Leg fatigue

Take these precautions and don;t ignore any of the symptoms.

Ja'Vonne Harley
Co-Host, The Traveling Eye, www.thetravelingeye.com
Owner, Advantage International, www.advantage-intl.com

Mini-Sabbatical

When we need rest or time off we think we can only accomplish that with a lot of time or money. The result of this thinking is it never happens! Using the same principle as napping a mini sabbatical or just one day off can give you much needed rejuvenation. Choose a place within driving distance to cut the time, cost and stress of travel. Downtown areas are great because hotels that normally cater to business travelers during the week often have great weekend specials & they have all the creature comforts at your disposal. Another choice could be a local bed and breakfast. They’re small, charming and are usually in quiet neighborhoods. Find a nice quiet place in your town to spend some time, like a botanical garden or labryinth. Remember the purpose of your mini-sabbatical and cut off the cell phone, leave the laptop behind and put out the DO NOT DISTURB message. No matter how you spend it a mini sabbatical can give you that much needed boost or rest you’re looking for.


Ja'Vonne Harley
Co-Host, The Traveling Eye

FASTEN THAT SEAT BELT!

I know it's uncomfortable but it is extremely important to follow the captains announcement and fasten your seatbelt when requested or better yet, keep your seat belt fastened at all times when you are seated, especially when you are sleeping.  Turbulence casued by what's called (CAT) Clear Air Turbulence, air movement that usually cannot be seen, can happen on a clear day and without warning, varies from mild to extreme intensities including an air pocket causing the aircraft to drop hundreds of feet and can make for a bumpy if not scary ride.  CAT is created by a number of different conditions like air moving at different speeds meeting or different air temperatures meeting.    In flight turbulence is the leading cause of passenger and crew injuries and one thing to remember is that most of those who are injured were not wearing their seatbelt.