Dese, Ethiopia
Posted by: Claudio von Planta | Date posted: 25/06/2007
Pictures
I spy... ©
Claudio has been working through the rushes and has edited these clips for us. Have a look to see what happened at the Ethiopian border. No speedy process as you can see...
Taking in the view, Charley tells us, 'So we're now in Ethiopia, which is really cool. It's kind of mad - it's completely changed, hasn't it?'
David explains the situation, 'Nobody's told us to stop filming yet, but we've got to walk over to this hut and fill in some forms, and then apparently it's about 30 miles away before we go through customs, so this whole area is sort of the border area.'
Russ continues, 'The most important thing about border crossings, the one thing you must always do is get somebody else to do all of the hard work for you. Which sounds like a bit of a cop out, but it does make a difference if you can have a fixer in the country as they understand what paperwork you have to do and the process you have to go through, otherwise it can be very time-consuming'.
David is optimistic, 'We're here at the Ethiopian customs office and hopefully it's going to go OK,' but not for long... 'What he's saying is that they want to do a three-hour inspection of all the goods... unfortunately. I spoke too quickly saying that things would go fast, unfortunately they aren't going to go fast at all. They want us to camp here, we can't move. There's an armed guard with us, because they now have a list of everything we have on board and they now want to do a thorough check. They're very nice about it, but they've made it very clear that they want to do a thorough check in the morning, which takes several hours'.
The morning after, Charley fills us in. 'Well we're in the customs area. We had to stay here last night because they didn't want to go through the customs things and the carnets last night. So we're just sitting here. We've been up since six, and it's the standard four hours, so we've got about half an hour before that's up and we can go. But we've got our passports back and everything so it's looking pretty good, and I'm just excited to get out. I hope the roads aren't going to be too slippy, because it rained a lot last night. We're at the Ethiopian customs, which is very nice, and we're in, basically, so we're off. To the Simien National Park, to see the monkeys!'
Seemed like the guys were a bit fed up - but you sent in a lots of messages to cheer them up. See below.
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 75
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At 05:23:58 PM on 25/06/2007, Richard AW Tortorella (Langley, BC , Canada) wrote:
Cheer up lads!
For what it is worth, there are a million worst things that you could be doing than riding in the rain, and waiting at boarders – mainly being stuck in an office looking out the window and wishing you were on a road in Ethiopia!. I find that it is true: the best part of any adventure is usually the hardest part – you may not realize it at the time, but they often become one’s fondest memories. Try to cheer up, you are past the halfway mark!. Of course you could be in 45C weather … Ride Safe. ---Richard “Looking out of my office window” T.
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At 05:38:27 PM on 25/06/2007, Lori (Abbotsford, B.C.) wrote:
just plain cool
You guys are so cool. All the best as you continue on your epic. Soak it all in, even the long waits and bad weather, that's part of it. Always be safe though...you are super inspiring and I'm thinking of getting my bike license and driving across Canada or something, how fun!
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At 05:49:00 PM on 25/06/2007, Tads (Australia) wrote:
Border Stops
Four hours at the border! Reminds me of the times when I do a lap of Australia on one of my bikes. Even here in Aus they stuff around checking for fruit etc.Takes forever sometimes and its only a bike! I reckon the food stuffs they gather at border stops goes straight into their crib rooms for breky, lunch and dinner :P Keep smiling and hurry up and release LWD in Australia. I'm still waiting for the soundtrack from LWR which is on order! Better be worth it :)) Have fun Iron Side UP Tads
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At 06:35:29 PM on 25/06/2007, Steve B (Toronto, Canada) wrote:
Remember where you are...
I recently saw a show Ewan did back in 2000 for the BBC, with Ray Mears and a film crew, treking through the Honduran rain forest. An archaeologist in their group said something poignant: "You can have it easy now and regret later that it wasn't harder, or it can be hard now and you'll have something to be proud of for the rest of your life." Keep smiling guys and good luck!
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At 06:36:56 PM on 25/06/2007, Evil Puppy (Istanbul TURKEY) wrote:
OK, Here's a funny one:
It's from a comic strip actually. Two fish watch in awe as a penguin swims around, twisting and turning. One of the fish says to the other : "WOW! If he's this fast underwater - can you imagine his speed on LAND ?!" -hehe :-) Apparently, you guys pass some time at border crossings by answering questions posted on the website. SOO, that's about 163 questions posted, answered at a rate of 5 questions per border, you have enough questions to last hmmm.. 163 / 5 = 32.6 border crossings! At LEAST! Oh well there are pleny more countries to travel and discover right ? (There's 164 for you! :-D ) Try and keep your spirits up! It's all going to be worth it in the end and you're going to be happy that you went through with it. Take care..
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At 06:39:30 PM on 25/06/2007, Silvia (Bochum (Germany)) wrote:
Always look on the..
bright side of life... as suggested by Monthy Python :-) In case you don´t remember the lyrics: Some things in life are bad They can really make you mad Other things just make you swear and curse. When you're chewing on life's gristle Don't grumble, give a whistle And this'll help things turn out for the best... And...always look on the bright side of life... *whistles*
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At 06:52:00 PM on 25/06/2007, Char (Michigan USA) wrote:
Ahhhhhhhh, Adventure and good times
Hi guys----The waits at the borders are long and rain can be messy, but the scenery has got to be worth the wait. This last picture, is just gorgeous. So, enjoy yourselves and remember what a great adventure you are on, and enjoy all of the sights that are so different from where you live. It's the trip of a lifetime, so do have fun. Like you said before, it's the waits, inconvienences, the unexpected, and the hard times that you will most remember. I am sure there are many good times ahead, so keep smiling and enjoy. Ride safe and be safe Char
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At 06:56:18 PM on 25/06/2007, Alison (Silchester) wrote:
Rain
no matter where you go, the rain can't be worse than that back here in england. and they call it summer!!!
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At 07:07:24 PM on 25/06/2007, colin bates (heanor) wrote:
great job
you two are doing a great job it looks very hard going hope you and the bikes stay in one piece. wish i were their would love to do something like that. all the best. colin
At 05:23:24 PM on 25/06/2007, Steve Clarke (Leeds) wrote:
Sore?
How on earth do you prevent the dreaded botty rash associated with long periods of time in the saddle?
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