Today (Saturday) we had some free time to do some more sightseeing around Hawassa before we head out to Arbaminch tomorrow. Our driver, Tamrat recommended a hartebeast sanctuary nearby so we headed out early in the morning. It was quite a drive to the sanctuary so we got an opportunity to see more of the countryside. The traditional huts set in the gorgeous mountainous landscape looked so perfect. We ever got to see a couple of huts that were being constructed. Part of the drive to the sanctuary was off the main road and we got to see some interesting species of birds. We also saw more children on the road, playing with each other or helping the mother with chores.
Getting the sanctuary we hired a guide to show us the different animals at the sanctuary. The most notable was the hartebeast, think of elk and a deer (picture posted). Lauren and I definitely got very excited at the first sighting of the hartebeast.
Driving around the park felt like suck of safari ride! The landscape was flat with the odd tree. It was gorgeous, I felt like I was in one of those nature shows, especially riding around in jeep-like car. Of course, we climbed onto the roof of the car to get better views of the wildlife. We also got out of the car in an effort to get closer to the hartebeast (did not work, but we did get to experience how stiff the grass in the plain were).
In addition to the hartebeasts, we also saw some deer like creatures called senkele. They were pretty shy so we could not get as close. Finally on our way out we also spotted a family of horses, probably belonging to some of the local people who lived by the sanctuary.
After a morning at the hartebeast sanctuary, we headed back to the Hawassa for lunch. Yodit decided to take us on another "adventure" by Awassa lake were we got to taste some local fish, fresh out of the lake! We drove up to this make-shift tent on the side of the lake were some teenage-looking boys were frying up fresh fish. Of course, we had to try it and it was DELICIOUS! I don't think I have ever had any better fish. Rubbed with just a little of salt, the fish was fried until its fins were crispy enough to eat. With a little splash of lemon, everything was delicious. Holding to the local customs, we ate our email with our hands, which was a very interesting experience since the fish came right out of hot oil. Nevertheless, Lauren and I each ate three fish!
Being full of sun and fish, Lauren and I headed back to the hotel for some rest before the checking out the nightlife in Hawassa. After taking us out to dinner, Yodit took up to a traditional music house and we tried some of the local honey mead (definitely more sour than sweet). The music house was quite different from anything I have previously experience. People sat around the periphery of the house while a pair of singer and dancers walked around making jokes about people in the house. As soon as we sat down, the singer came up to us and started making jokes about foreigners and Chinese people. Lauren and I didn't understand the jokes, since they were all in Amharic, but we got caught up in the atmosphere and had a great time. Everyone was laughing and dancing. We even got a chance to join in on the dance!
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