Southern Ethiopia
ደቡብ ኢትዮጵያ

On the dirt road to Jinka, Ethiopia — May 14, 1998

Brian and a termite mound, Ethiopia — May 14, 1998

Arba Minch town, Ethiopia — May 13, 1998

It suddenly started pouring rain at the market, Jinka, Ethiopia — May 16, 1998

We heard the Saturday market in Jinka was a great place to see some very authentic tribal folks, including the famed Morsi tribe with lip and ear plates. We drove many miles and days to get here and abot 15 minutes into our market foray a torential rain swept through and entirely annihilated the forming market scene. Everyone ran away and all the was left was mud, a few misrable animals and the lousy ground refuse and plastic houseware seen in this pic.

Lake Minch, Ethiopia — May 13, 1998

Countries visited - Africa 1998 - 1999

Our scehdule

I am not sure how it all got started. It wasn’t a magical spark of lightning that began the cataclysm, nor was it the supreme words of a higher being sending us on our way. Somehow, though, the powers of the universe contrived enabling our journey through the Heart of Africa.

It began quite innocently as an alleged trip to Bulgaria and Romania. This idea was eventually vetoed and placed “on hold” for future girlfriends. Zap—a long awaited spark was kindled—The Middle East: Yemen, in particular. And the visas were applied for, the air tickets purchased; and on a fine March 4th day we were on our way aboard a gleaming Air France 747 en route to Cairo, Egypt, via a five day layover in France.

We never did make it to Yemen, nor the Middle East for that matter; we headed South, instead, into the Heart of Africa, and what follows is the story of events as they unfold.