The thrill of a lifetime!

Saturday 4th October ...(cont)

We finished out tour with a Fanta and coffee in the main square then a went for a delicious dinner in a nearby restaurant. We feasted on goat tibs - sizzling hot goat meat in a clay pot above burning coals, and kifto - minced beef with hers and spices. We went to the back room for a shisha but were dismayed to find numerous cockroaches emerging from the cushions so made a hasty exit.

By now it was dark so we met Tedi, John's Ethiopian friend, and went to feed the Hyenas! I was under the impression that we would be throwing meat down to them from the city walls but in fact, we were on the ground outside the city walls with hyenas surrounding us! I could see dozens of pairs of glowing green eyes and was absolutely terrified. They looked like savage bears and in the dark it was difficult to tell where they were. John went first - suspending raw meat on a stick and waiting for the hyenas to pounce and tear it from the stick. I was persuaded to have a go too although I was wishing I had opted for a rabies jab! Anyway, we survived and I'm proud to have photos to prove I did it.

Tedi accompanied us to the bus station for a mini-bus back to Dire Dawa. On a dark strech of road a bandit jumped out in front of the bus with a whip and hit the vehicle! However, our driver didn't seem phased...he swerved and then continued as normal. What a day!