The past week we have traveled the remaining stretch within Sudan: in 4 day time we rode 580 km over perfectly sealed roads (which were very busy with traffic), to the Ethiopian border at Galabat. .
The wind was not extremely hard, but it came it came from the wrong direction which slowed us down. The temperature is really starting to get in the tropical domain: we start in the morning at 7.45h at 24 degrees, around 10.30 we're above the 30, and after the lunch the temperatures rise to 42.Luckily it does not affect me much. I drink a lot (water, Fast Fuel) and I try not to skip the possibility to buy a coke.
The border with Ethiopia is the also the first spot where alcoholic beverages are sold After entering Ethiopia, everybody ran to the first watering place to score a cold beer. It was one of my best beers ever..
We are now in Gondar, a beautiful old town north of Lake Tana. During the past two riding days we have really got know Ethiopia!: unsealed roads, and lots of climbing to be done, in a beautiful scenery. Both days were extremely tough, a lot of riders have lost their EFI-status
In Ethiopia not many people speak English Most people know only one word: "you". Sometimes a second word is added: "hey", but that's it. It's very strange to ride through a village while hundred people are yelling "hey you, you, you, …, you".
Yesterday the expected nuissnce of Ethiopian children was not as bad, today there where a number of unpleasant situations: The Irish rider had his camera and 20 US$ stolen during a coke-stop.Some children even succeeded in getting things out of the sadle bags while we where riding! (ths looks more difficult than it is: on a steep incline the speed is so low, that a child can easily run alongside with you.) My weapon against this harassment is to start making a lot of noise and cursing in Dutch to the kids. Today it worked.
Tomorrow there is a rest day, which is welcomed by every TdA-participant: sleeping late, eating, and above all: resting, because on Monday undoubtedly a lot of climbing is awaiting us.
My EFI-status is still OK, let's see what next week will bring.