Had a good night’s sleep, followed by all you can eat buffet breakfast. We sat there for about an hour as other riders came in and out. There was plenty of food. Then we took our laundry to be done and set off on our mission to collect the packages mum had sent to the DHL office. We got the address from the internet and the lady at the reception desk translated it for us so we could give it to the taxi driver. The drivers always immediately say 100 birr – but we argued it down to 80. We then sat in the taxi for about an hour he obviously had no idea where to go – we finally told him to just drop us off at any DHL office. Of course they needed the tracking number and I don’t remember getting it in the email. Scott had his phone but no credit so we went outside and asked a random guy where we could buy some – he immediately pulls a card out of his wallet and sells us some credit! Great – we phoned mum (sorry – 3am in the middle of the night) and get the tracking number. We sat in a nice café while we did all this and had cake, macchiatos and juice!! We then returned to the DHL office – but now their computer system had crashed so they couldn’t help us. They sent us to another DHL office and told us to follow this random guy – he would show us the way! So we followed this guy through the streets for about 15 minutes and finally get to the second DHL office and they in turn sent us to a third one in order to complete a custom’s form. They advised us to use a group taxi – as they only cost about 1birr 20 – so we walked across the street and got in a group taxi – we’d been told to go to Magenta and then change for Dohl.. After a while a guy comes round to ask for the fare – we gave him 1birr 50 each thinking this would more than cover the cost – 2 stops later – he told us we were there and to get off – we did only to realize we were NOT THERE! Then a friendly local who had realized what happened explained that we needed to carry on – basically the taxi guy didn’t consider we had paid enough and so had purposely told us to get out!!
Anyway with the help of the local we got another taxi, changing to a third one after about 5 minutes and eventually came to the DHL office. Amazingly the paperwork was all ready for us – so that was great. Then another rider came in also trying to track down his packages – so we waited for him thinking we could share a taxi with him to the airport (where the packages were!) However after about ½ hour it didn’t look like he was going to be able to get his – so we set off. His taxi driver offered to take us and so we agreed as we thought he would know where to go as he had been in the office with us!
By the way – I forgot to say – the friendly local who had helped us earlier took us on two taxis, paid for us and waited to see if we were OK – so we gave him 10birr for his trouble – he seemed pleased with that! What a great guy!
The taxi drivers are not so honest or helpful!! This particular one wanted 150 birr for the journey – when we argued he explained the airport was a long drive – about 20 minutes – so we agreed – 5 minutes later he dropped us off at the Cargo terminal – we only gave him 100 birr! We went in and spoke to an official (we thought ) who looked at my forms and passport and explained we had come to the wrong place – he took us outside and flagged down what seemed like an employee shuttle bus – it took us just outside the airport where we had to get another taxi, which cost 25 birr and took 2 minutes!! We were now at the international terminal and so again we went inside to find out what to do – the security guy lets us in but gives our escort a really hard time – as if to say what are you doing with these people? So obviously not the official we thought he was. However he has my passport and forms in his hands – so at this point I quickly grabbed them back from him! We are then told we actually need the Domestic terminal – which we had previously known but had assumed the guy from the first terminal knew better!! Another taxi, another 15 birr, another trip just round the corner!! This taxi driver took my 100 note and only gave me 50 in return – I was so angry that I grabbed my 100 birr out of his hand and we threw a 10 birr note through his window and ran into the airport!!
We still had our unwanted helper with us so all went into the building. Security would not allow either him or Scott through so I left Scott to while away the time at one of the restaurants there. I went inside – no idea what I was supposed to be doing! The lady there asked me if I had an invoice, which I didn’t (that’s because they are with the parcels!) and so decided to type one up for me which took about ½ hour – she then said I had to pay 600 birr (about $40) duty – I tried to argue but there was nothing I could do without an invoice – so I agreed to pay – then I was passed on to another guy for a receipt and another lady who actually took the money. Then I had to go to another counter to give in my forms, which are in turn passed on to another guy who disappears outside – and finally comes back with my parcels!! Success at last. After 2 1/2 hours I finally go outside and meet Scott, who must have been wondering what I was doing in there!!
We had something to eat there at the hotel and then started the negotiation for a taxi back to the hotel. “100 birr “– “no it only cost us 50 here” – But it costs more to go back as you have to pay for parking!” Whatever!! We went outside and found a taxi for 50 birr! I cannot tell you what a relief it was to get back to the hotel!!
We were a little worried about our laundry as were afraid the place might close – so we went quickly to go collect it! Then we dropped everything off at the hotel and went for some food! There was a great pizza place just around the corner! Then we returned to our room, so exhausted we didn’t want to do anything else – we watched some TV, went on the computer and of course opened the packages and had a look through the stuff mum had sent!
By 9pm we were hungry again so we went out for a burger and then returned to use the internet some more – the access was so good we were able to sort loads of stuff! Finally I realized it was 11.15 – and we had to be up in the morning at 5.30 for breakfast in order to be ready for the taxi leaving at 6 am for camp!!
What a day!!!
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