“Woke last night to the sound of thunder”

August 13, 2009
The electricity supply in Addis is very reliable. In this sector of the city we reliably have electricity on odd numbered days and reliably none on even numbered days. Today is our day. Combined with the sound of thunder and heavy rain outside I have returned to bed huddled under a blanket and enjoying a cup of hot tea. Yesterday was the first day we didn’t see any rain; hopefully we are not destined to make up for it today. Already there are hopeful signs the rain is abating and will be dry soon. Ethiopia’s claim is the country with “13 months of sunshine”.

This is wintertime, so some rain and clouds should be expected, and yes we have seen a reasonable amount of sunshine. One would not suffer vitamin D deficiency in this climate. But 13 months? Yes. Officially Ethiopia still observes the Julian calendar. New Years Day is coming up in a little less than a month – September 11th. Prior to which we will have the 13th month of just five days, then celebrate the start of 2002. As if that is not enough to get ones head around, days here start at daybreak. What’s so unusual about that you might ask, except that we have grown up accepting that days start at midnight. Ask someone for the time here and be prepared to add six.

The storm has already passed, the sun is trying to make an appearance, the many birds are back in full song and my tea is finished. It must be time for a warm shower!

August 14, 2009
Yesterday was a pleasantly warm day with no more rain. That is until very early this morning (or very late last night on Ethiopian time) when the heavens opened. Not sure whether it was the flashes of light or the sound like someone dumping a load of gravel on the roof that woke me up. For 15-20 minutes we were treated to quite a storm. Again early morning the birds are back to singing.

Later the same morning
Little wonder it sounded like gravel being dumped on the roof. The streets are littered with piles of pea-gravel sized hail!